Page 39 of Declan's Dove

He’s not fast enough this time, and I catch him with a hard slap to the back of his head.

“Ow!”

“Fucker.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Violet

Me: Kayce it’s Vi. We need to talk.

Guardian: This is the Guardian. Angel, are you safe?

I roll my eyes. Always with the protocol crap.

Me: Yes, I’m safe. We need to speak not over text.

Guardian: Do you need transport?

I sigh. I guess we’re doing this.

Me: No. Angel and Cherub are safe.

Guardian: Location?

Me: Undisclosed.

Guardian: Secure?

Me: Yes.

Guardian: Are you certain?

Having enough of the back and forth and getting absolutely freaking nowhere, I decide to go rogue, as Kayce would say, and change the script.

Me: Mili is hurt. Cut the protocol bullshit and CALL ME

The burner phone in my hand rings immediately.

“Kayce?”

“What the hell do you mean Emilia’s hurt? How? Who?” Kayce starts rattling off questions in rapid fire while simultaneously barking orders at his men, who I assume are making the shuffling sounds I hear behind him.

“A few days ago. I don’t know who, but Kayce … they know she’s been helping you. They hurt her to send a message to your team. Whatever shipment you intercepted on the harbor, the owners are pissed, and they took it out on her,” I tell him, fighting the stinging of tears and the lump swelling in my throat.

“Fuck.” Kayce sighs. “How bad? Where is she now? I’ll send an extraction team to get her.”

“No,” I say. “We’re in Baron’s Edge. In one of Vincenzo’s penthouses.”

“Why the fuck are you in Baron’s Edge? You know what will happen if you’re seen? You’ll blow the whole operation, Vi! What the hell?” Kayce shouts. I pull the phone away from my ear as he continues to yell his displeasure. When it seems he’s calmed down a bit, I put the phone back to my ear and answer his questions.

“She called me, Kayce. She was scared, alone, and beaten. I wasn’t going to leave her here to see if the assholes who did this would come back for another round. I owe her my life.”

“Yeah, and if you’re seen moving about that town, you just might pay with your life,” he growls. “Why didn’t she call me? We would’ve come to get her, brought her to a safe location.”

“She didn’t know if the bikers who did this were watching her place. If they were waiting outside for you to show up. Emilia wouldn’t jeopardize any of you or your mission.”

“It’s fucking bullshit,” he spats. “My men and I can handle ourselves. She should’ve called me.”

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