Page 275 of Enemies

The dance floor is wide open. It’s easy to cross to the stage, and by the time I reach the halfway point, I can spot the figures on stage.

“Annie?” I call.

My friend waves. Her husband stands next to her.

“What happened?” I ask.

“Harrison wanted a distraction to keep the crowd on the dance floor.” Elle drops off the stage. “So, Tyler took the mic to keep everyone here.”

The numbness around my heart thaws a little.

“Beck said he’d steer everyone out of the hall. Last I saw, there were dozens of people running his way. I haven’t seen him since,” Annie says.

Shit. The crowds tonight were thick. It’s one thing to be on stage, but Beck alone, trying to get attention without security… It could have been dangerous.

I try calling Beck’s number but get voicemail. I send off a text.

Rae: Are you okay? You went AWOL.

Dots appear.

Beck: I’m safe.

I heave a sigh of relief.

“Where’s my brother?” Harrison demands.

We all look at one another.

Rae: Ash is missing.

Harrison grunts. “I’ll call?—“

I hold up a hand as dots appear again. The seconds tick by.

When the response comes, it’s shorter than I expected.

Beck: He’s here too.

My brows rise, but I show Harrison the message.

“You guys,” Annie calls before I can decide how to respond. We all turn to find her holding up her phone. “I know it’s been a long night, but before we leave… Group photo? I haven’t gotten out in months.”

31

HARRISON

When I woke yesterday morning, my chest was tight with dread and Raegan was in my arms.

Today, the dread is gone. But so is she.

I’m in the guest bedroom, and I roll to one side, exhaling hard as I hit my shoulder, which hurts like someone ripped it from its socket.

Last night comes back to me in a rush.

Our friends headed directly back to their hotel from La Mer, but Raegan and I were at the police station until after five.

We answered questions independently. Somewhere along the line, a medic put five stitches in the cut in my chest and reset the shoulder that had been dislocated before my dive across the room.

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