“I don’t fucking know!” His stomach pitched. “Goddammit, Asher. Do you think I don’t understand how much I fucked up this morning? Do you think I’m not pissed at myself?” His heart pounded. His mind was all over the place. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t concentrate. Everything inside of him said to give chase, but where did he start? Where the fuck would Enzo go?
“Hang tight. I’ll have someone on the way to soon. I need you to keep updating me while you’re in this lull,” Asher said, some of the heat gone from his voice. “Understand?”
Duncan nodded. “Yeah, I hear you. I’m on it.” He ended the call and shoved his phone back into his pocket. He wanted to scream and yell, maybe break shit just to get the growing knot of frustration to snap. Instead, he steadied himself with the stupid breathing exercise Thomas taught him.
When his mind slowed and he gathered his wits, he glanced at the closed bathroom door. First things first. He had to get Omar fixed up. They’d never get anything done if the guy spent hours in the bathroom sicker than a fucking dog. When the door to the bathroom opened, he pinned Omar with a glare and pointed to where the man just exited. “There are meds in the cabinet, take them.” Since his migraines and meds could throw his system into a tailspin sometimes, he was used to an upset stomach. It was better for him to have the stuff to help him out on hand than try to run to the store in the midst of a migraine.
“Sorry,” Omar muttered. “Never eating there again.”
“Shit happens,” Duncan said, then groaned at his pun. “Once you’ve taken them, I have someone I want you to go see.”
Omar nodded. “Roger that.”
Duncan turned his attention back to Bella. “Did Enzo say anything before he left?”
She shook her head. “He does this sometimes. Gets up and leaves.”
“Was he upset about earlier?” Sometimes Duncan could be an asshole, but when it came to aftercare and paying attention to his subs, no. He took care of them. He’d like to think he could judge someone’s state of mind well enough to know if something was wrong. Unfortunately, he hadn’t done a good enough job with Enzo earlier.
“No,” she whispered. “I’ve never seen him happier to be honest. We both are.” The blush spreading across her cheeks unfurled the knot in his stomach a bit. “But, he’s concerned.”
“About what happens after this?” Duncan ran his fingers through his hair. What came next was simple—they’d all go their separate ways. Enzo and Bella would end up in witness protection with new names and new lives, and Duncan would continue being a lackey for the FBI.
“I think so.” She wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“You’re worried about the same thing.” He tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.
“A little.”
Fuck.He brushed his lips over hers. “Stay in the here and now. We have to find Enzo. Dwelling only ends up hurting you.”
The bathroom door opened, and Omar stepped out. “Thanks. I wish I’d known about the meds an hour ago.”
Duncan chuckled softly. “When you suffer from migraines, you keep all the good shit just in case.” He went to the desk behind the couch and grabbed the pad of paper. “There’s a medic station here in the building.” He wrote down the directions. “Give this to Noelle. She should be the one on duty. She’ll get you rehydrated and feeling good. When you’re done, meet me back here.”
Omar took the paper from him. “A garden?”
Duncan shrugged. “It’s relaxing, or so I’m told.”
“Whatever.” Omar started for the door. “I’m sorry, Duncan. I messed up everything.”
Duncan waved him off. “Don’t. You got sick. Wasn’t like you planned on having an intestinal blow out.”
“True.” Omar nodded. “I’ll be back.”
“Take your time. Let the meds and IV work. If she keeps you longer, tell her to call me.”
Omar grunted. “Roger that.”
“Noelle?” Bella cocked a brow.
“She’s a registered nurse at Medstar Georgetown. She’s also a sub here at the club. You’d like her, I think.” He leaned in. “Her sister is a Domme.”
Bella gasped.
He pushed off the couch. “I have to make a few calls.” The longer he sat there, the more he worried about Enzo, even though he maintained a calm expression. Apprehension warred with guilt. He tried to keep everything bottled inside of himself, because he didn’t want to frighten Bella. Yet, the longer he sat there, despair wriggled through him, setting him on edge. He couldn’t fall apart now. Later, after everything was over and they had Enzo back, then he could fall apart and allow the darkness to consume him. They would rescue Enzo, no matter what. Duncan grabbed his phone and called Thomas. He figured Asher would be on the line to Thomas sooner rather than later, but if Duncan didn’t call, Thomas would have his ass too.
“Kaine,” Thomas said when he answered on the second ring. His voice was harried, and he sounded out of breath.