Page 95 of Run, Little Rabbit

She grabs my hand and drags me towards the bar, but as I turn, my shoulder bumps into someone walking the other way.

My apology dies on my lips as I clock the guy who strolls past. He doesn’t notice me, but I know exactly who he is. Santiago Salazar. I’ve fought against him in the ring a number of times, and I know he moonlights as a hitman for hire. What the hell is he doing in a place like this? He never seemed the type to go to a nightclub, more like a shitty bar where he wouldn’t be disturbed by society princesses in awe of his physique.

My senses immediately jump to high alert. It could just be a coincidence that Santiago is here.

Dressed in black.

Wearing shades with his head on a swivel, clocking all the exits.

Yeah. Purely coincidental.

Echo stops abruptly, and I slam into the back of her. She’s pulled her phone out and is looking at the screen. I can’t see her face, but one second we’re in the middle of the club; the next, she’s pushing Niki towards the VIP area and dragging me with her.

I clock Veon a few feet away and wave my hand in a ‘come hither’ motion. He immediately moves, clearly catching on that something is amiss.

I really hope it doesn’t have something to do with why Santiago is here.

As soon as we get to the glass wall, Niki enters the code to open the door into Max’s office, and we all barrel in.

“Bored already?” Angel says with a chuckle as we pile in. He’s curled up on Max’s lap as he plays with a small flat chain that’s tucked into the collar of his baby blue shirt. Is that acollar?Certainly looks like a collar to me. Something zings through me at the thought, and my own hand brushes against the base of my throat, wondering what it must be like to beownedby someone. The thought grips me fiercely, and it leaves me with a strange feeling that I can’t seem to shake.

Max looks happy and relaxed as he runs his fingers through Angel’s curls. He still looks like a predator eyeing you from his throne, though. It’s impressive how he can manage to look so relaxed yet ready to pounce at the same time.

“No,” Echo says shortly, her hands on her hips and her fingers tapping impatiently. “We have a problem.”

The playful energy evaporates from the room at her words. Max sits straighter, and Angel drops his languid fingers from that little chain.

“What kind of problem?” Max asks, his tone all business as he shuts off the speakers that play the music from the dance floor but at a lower volume.

Echo whips her phone out and makes a call on speaker, the dial tone loud in the now quiet space.

“Hello, killer,” one of the twins says, Cillian probably. He always seems more robotic and soulless than his other half. I always feel that there’s an unnatural chill, like death, entwined with his essence. It’s creepy and feels like talking to the GrimReaper. I repress a shudder and huddle closer to Echo to listen in.

“You’re on speaker with all of us, Cillian,” Echo says, confirming my suspicion. “Why did you need me to call?”

“A notice has been put on St Olga’s page with a location and a time,” the other twin says, and the memory of Santiago pushing past me slams into the forefront of my mind. “Aurum and today at 10.30pm.”

“Oh, shit,” I mutter aloud.

Echo’s sharp eyes find mine. “What?”

“I saw Santiago Salazar in the club,” I say as I pull out my phone and start loading up St Olga’s Lost Causes.

“The hitman?” Veon asks as he steps closer to the large glass window, his eyes immediately looking over the crowds below. “Are you sure?”

I scoff. “Oh, yes. I’d know that face anywhere.”

“I feel like there’s a story there,” Max quips. He’s right, but I don’t comment. I don’t have to explain myself to anyone.

Niki raises a blonde eyebrow at me in a challenge, but I throw a scowl back at him. “No, big man. I am not telling you about my history with Santiago.”

Niki’s other brow rises to meet the first one.

Shit. The guy can’t even talk, but he’s making me get all flustered, and my mouth is running something fierce. “I’m going to stop looking at you.”

Max and Angel laugh behind me as I go and stand with Veon. I don’t know why Niki gets under my skin. I’ve no idea why Ilethim get under my skin, the prick. The others don’t, and Veon… well, I just want himonmy skin.

I can hear Echo muttering away to her brothers about what the notice on St Olga’s page means. I don’t think it can be anything good. Especially since I can see some other unwelcome faces in the crowd.

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