Page 59 of Desert Heat

“So what’s going to happen?”

“Dean will take us to his Clubhouse… get us back to campus with a full security detail that won’t consist of men in suits. Tank and River won’t be able to touch us.”

“That’s good,” she shivers. “I still like it when he touches me. Even if in my head and heart I know he’s bad news.”

“Same. But I’d die before admitting it to anyone else.”

“I’m hungry. We need rest and food if we’re going to escape. Let’s make the pledge make us bacon and eggs… maybe some pancakes…”

“Pledge!” I yell, as I get up and pound on the door.

The poor fuck’s face is white as he gingerly opens the door eyeing us both like scary zoo cats about to pounce and slash his throat.

“Yeah?”

“We’re hungry and pissed at our men. Feed us. Got the streaming service turned on up here and make me a fire. I’m fucking freezing.”

Brandi rattles off our order while mumbles something about nRiver insisting I’d burn the place down if I had a fire in my room. He comes back with more blankets and an apology. I slam the door in his face and wait for lunch. Tomorrow is going to be lit. Brandi already memorized Dean’s cell. Now, all I have to do is rescue my heart after I escape. How to do that? I have no fucking clue.

“

CHAPTER 16

“I fucked up.”

An uneasy feeling churned in my gut as I surveyed the scene. Tank sat heavy in the old oak kitchen chair. Two medium sized latte looking drinks still sat in their trays while neatly arranged scones sat on a chipped plate.

The house stood silent.

Too silent.

“Where are they?”

My heart hammered in my chest. Adrenalin already flowing.

“Gone.”

One broken word torn right outta Tank’s own chest.

“THE FUCK?” I roared. I grabbed the chair across from Tank hurtling it out of the kitchen, my hand then reached out, sweeping all the freshly washed cups from the counter to the floor.

My hands shook with rage as I unholstered my Glock. “Take this,” I handed it out to Tank, “before I’m tempted to us hit on their Pledge.”

“I can’t. If you had it to me I’ll pull the trigger myself.” My heart almost stopped beating all together at the look on Tank’s face.

He was shattered.

Utterly destroyed.

My best friend who is bigger than life sat broken and utterly defeated in his seat. Tears leaked from the corner of his eyes.

Tank shedding tears was a big fucking deal for a man who was unbreakable.

I shoved open the backdoor, boots dreading through feet of snow. I stopped in the middle of the frozen back yard. With my fists balled I let out a soul-shattering bellow that echoed back to my hollowed out heart.

She’s gone.

I had hoped…. Desperately hoped there was a sliver of a chance we could get through this. That she knew what we had shared despite all the lies, was still enough to hold onto.

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