Page 55 of Knot Ruined

I've lost track of how many times I've paced from one end of the living room to the other, my pulse roaring in my ears, the gut-deep dread growing heavier with each unanswered call. My chest feels tight like there's a fist squeezing relentlessly at my heart, slowly driving me insane. I glance at Romano, who's staring desperately at his phone as if sheer willpower could make it ring.

Kingston sits rigidly on the couch, his usual calm completely shredded, knuckles white from gripping his phone. His normally pristine appearance is disheveled—his dark shirt is rumpled, top buttons undone, sleeves hastily rolled up. Anxiety rolls off him in waves.

Voss is the most unsettling of us all. He stands near the window, utterly motionless, eyes vacant and lifeless. I've seen that look before—just never directed inward. He's breaking, and we’re helpless to stop it.

“It’s been too long,” Romano growls, anxiety thickening his usually cheerful voice. “Why isn’t she answering?”

Kingston sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose, his jaw clenched so tightly I worried his teeth might crack. “Maybe she’s still angry. Maybe she doesn’t want to talk.”

“No,” Voss speaks, his voice icy, deadly quiet, pulling everyone's attention instantly. He doesn’t even look our way, eyes locked on the darkness beyond the window. “She wouldn’t punish us like this. She’s angry, but she isn’t cruel.”

I nod slowly, dread pooling heavier in my gut. He's right. Fallon isn't the type to ignore us this long. My thoughts spiral, dread coiling tighter.

“Did you hear anything from Violet?” I ask Romano, voice tight with tension.

“Nothing. Violet’s phone is off now too. Fuck.” He stands abruptly, pacing in tight, frantic circles, his fingers pulling roughly at his messy black hair. His glasses sliding almost off his face.

Voss has been silently staring out the window this whole time, but suddenly he moves, turning toward us slowly. His expression is blank, utterly devoid of warmth. The look in his eyes chills my blood—it's like seeing into an endless, empty void.

“Something happened to her.” His voice is cold, a stark contrast to the fear now obvious in his eyes. “This isn’t her ignoring us.”

Kingston’s entire body stiffens. “You think she’s been taken?”

Voss’s eyes darken further, his expression turning deadly, a silent confirmation. His fists clench and unclench like he’s seconds away from snapping completely.

Kingston wastes no time pulling out his phone again. “I’m calling Henry. If something’s happened, he might know.”

We’re silent, waiting anxiously until Henry answers. His familiar gravelly voice cuts through the room on speaker, calm but cautious.

“Henry, is Violet with you?” Kingston’s tone is clipped, almost desperate.

“No. I’m still with Odette.” Henry’s voice immediately sharpens, alert. “She was with Fallon. She told me they’d be together at her place. Did something happen?”

“We can’t reach either of them. Fallon hasn’t responded, and Violet’s phone is off. Can you locate them?”

“I’ll try, fucking hell,” Henry curses sharply. “I'll call you back.”

The line goes dead, silence stretching until Romano breaks it, voice edged with panic. “What if they’ve taken both of them?”

Kingston immediately shifts into command mode, standing swiftly, every muscle taut with urgency. “Romano, get eyes on security footage around Violet’s place. Jace, start making calls—every informant, every associate. Someone knows something. I texted Colby asking if she was there as well. They said no.”

The doorbell chimes through the house. He strides quickly to the door, yanking it open as Colby and John come rushing inside, both tense and visibly shaken.

“We were close when you texted.” Colby rumbles, voice thick with worry. “You think they have Fallon?”

Kingston gives a terse nod. “And Violet.”

John curses harshly, his fists clenched in helpless rage. Colby’s face pales visibly, his throat working as he swallows heavily. “Tell us what you need us to do.”

Within minutes, maps are spread across the table, marked up with every location we've already raided and several new targets we’ve yet to investigate. Romano returns, a haunted expression etched deep into his features as he silently hands over his tablet. Grainy security footage plays silently—Fallon and Violet laughing, completely unaware of the figures approaching behind them.

My heart stops as I watch the short struggle. Fallon fights like hell, rage and pride surging through me despite the terror choking my breath. She struggles until she’s limp, Violet’s frantic scream echoing from the phone, desperate and heart-wrenching.

Voss is barely holding on to control, his breath heavy, teeth bared in a silent snarl. Kingston’s eyes darken dangerously, his voice icy, unforgiving. “Everyone, now. We hunt them down. No mercy.”

Just as we move into action, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I almost ignore it, but the caller ID makes me pause—Fox, an old friend from foster care, is now part of an elite commando pack.

I answer, putting it on speaker. “Fox, this isn’t a good—”

---