Page 123 of His Fury

“Why?”

“Because he’s been my best friend for my entire life, and I won’t let that go without a fight.”

Zayn’s shoulders dropped a fraction. “Is…”

“He’s mybestfriend, and he’s hurting. And I got a scary call, and I didn’t know what to do. You weren’t answering your texts, so I made a decision.”

“You should have come here.”

“I’m here now.”

“What did you tell him?”

“Nothing.” I inhaled deeply. “I told him I received a call. He mentioned that they used to call him. We had a very surreal conversation. Then he told me he loved me and the only way for you to trust me was to be honest with you. But I already knew that.” I looked around the office. “So here I am. Not waiting to tell you, I understood I needed to come here, and I left The Grand intent on telling you. I’m not hiding anything from you. I just took a detour.” I pointed at his phone. “If that stupid thing were on, you’d know all this.”

Zayn’s lips twitched. “Fair point.”

The door opened, and I turned to see Rye come in. His hair was wet, and his clothes were slightly askew as if he had dressed hastily. He pulled up short when he saw me.

“What is it?” Zayn asked, his demeanor changing instantly.

Rye flicked his eyes to me, then closed the door. “We’ve got a problem.”

CHAPTER 29

ZAYN

Of course,we did.What else would it be?

Isla looked between the two of us, and I took a moment to appreciate her effortless beauty. With her hair up, the way she preferred it for work, she sported a simple, sleek ponytail. She wore a loose blouse, no jacket, and plain black pants. Her eyes were wide as she glanced at me, revealing that she was still rattled from whatever she and Julian had discussed.

And a call that should’ve never reached her.

I didn’t speak, I just pulled her into me. She came willingly, folding into my chest like she’d needed to breathe and had waited for me to bring it.

“Tell me again,” I said, my mouth close to her temple, my eyes fixed on Rye.

She recounted the call, knowing it was for Rye’s benefit, the words, the voice—the way it hadn’t been threatening exactly, but it hadn’t beennothingeither.

I clenched my jaw, fury rippling just beneath my skin. She shouldn’t have to carry this. None of it. And yet here she was, still involved, getting deeper. I saw the same reflected in Rye’s look. I’d asked for her protection, but that didn’t comeuntil I delivered this fucking money deal on an impossible deadline.

Isla didn’t flinch as she finished. “It was a warning, right? That they know where to get me?” She looked up at me. “A warning for you?”

“For us,” I corrected. “Tell me about your conversation with Julian.”

I saw Rye frown at her when I spoke, and Isla blushed as she looked away; I wondered what that was about. I heard the pain in her voice as she spoke, but for once, neither Rye nor I interrupted.

I understood. He was her closest friend, and she was willing to fight for him. If I were younger and didn’t know him as well as I did now, I might be willing to fight for him too.

One glance at Rye showed me he wasn’t on the same page.

I kissed her temple. She felt wonderful in my arms. “All right.” I glanced back at Rye. “So?—”

“A man came to the hotel yesterday.”

Rye and I looked at her, and her face flamed red. “Excuse me?”

Isla bit her lip under the weight of my stare. “A man…” She cleared her throat. “He approached me and…” She sighed, her gaze flicking between Rye and me. “He didn’t threaten me, he didn’t really say anything much at all, and I think the whole thing was just to let me know they knew where I was.”

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