Page 69 of Belonging to Them
A quick glance at the screen shows me it’s Jaxon.
“I gotta take this,” I say to Bash.
He nods, but his eyes show concern.He knows I wouldn’t accept the call unless it was important.
Hurrying from the club to the relatively quieter city street, I accept the call and hold my other hand to my ear so I can hear better.
“Kingston here,” I say.
“Hey.We tried to call Ella,” Jaxon says, “but she’s not picking up.”
“She’s just finished singing,” I explain.“Kinda busy.”
“Right.Her guards said she’s just finished, but I imagine it’s crazy right now.I won’t keep you.The thing is, we got another text demanding ransom.We also traced her brother to a hotel in the Bellefleur district.We found signs of foul play.I had to report it to the police, they’ll do more investigating, but you know how slowly they move on anything to do with Bellefleur.”
“Fuck.Yeah, I know.”It’s the unfortunate truth.
“Kingston, look, there was…there was a lot of blood.Given the pictures they sent to Ella’s phone, I don’t know whether to believe he’s actually alive.”
“But you don’t know for sure yet that he’s dead?”I ask.
“I think it’s best you prepare Ella for some bad news.We’re still working on the case, though, and we won’t stop until we get definitive answers.”
Shit.Shit.“Okay, thanks for checking in.”
We hang up and I go back inside, my heart heavy.I don’t want to have to break this news to my girl, not tonight of all nights.We should be celebrating.
But I also can’t keep it from her.
When I come back to Bash’s and my table, Ella’s off the stage, and Bash isn’t anywhere in sight.They’re probably in the green room.I frown at my phone, annoyed again that Jaxon interrupted this moment and crushed that I have to relay his message to Ella.I glance around, searching for Helena or Sebastian.I don’t have to look far, because Helena approaches me, gesturing me toward her.
“She can’t come out or she’ll be mobbed,” Helena says, beaming.
“It’s alarming to me that you look so delighted by that prospect,” I say.
“Your girl means dollar signs to me, of course I’m delighted,” she says.When I frown, she’s quick to add, “Don’t worry, Kingston, I protect my investments.She’s not getting trampled by any mobs.She’s in the green room and you can head back right now.”
I follow where she’s pointing.Sure enough, Cora, Terrence, and Squid are standing outside the door—extra security because of the event.They were situated at strategic points in the audience while Ella performed.
The bodyguards nod somberly at me when I approach, then step aside.I wonder if they’ve already learned what Ironwood learned.Probably.News would have to travel fast in their agency, in the name of keeping their clients safe.
Signs of foul play.Another ransom demand.Jaxon doesn’t have high hopes for Tommy.
Ella looks up when I enter, her expression jubilant.She should be happy—she rocked it in there.The energy in the club was incredible while she played.
But I have to take her down now, and fuck if it doesn’t kill me inside.
She takes one look at my face, which I’m sure must be grim, and her excitement and happiness fade.Her smile falters.
Fuck.I don’t want to be the one to tell her this.
EIGHTEEN
Ella
The next day passes in a blur.I never take more than three steps away from my phone.It goes into the bathroom with me when I shower, and I carefully set it right next to the shower stall so I can hear it if it rings.
I refuse to believe Tommy is dead.No way.I won’t believe it unless I see his dead body.And I won’t see his dead body, because he’s alive.
