Page 30 of Treasured By Them
“When’s the wedding?”
What about me walking away makes him think I want to engage in a conversation? I could say next week, or I could ignore him. I opt to ignore.
His hand comes down on my shoulder, stopping me. “Do you actually love the groom?”
“Let go of me.” I try to spin out of his grasp, but he squeezes. He digs his thumb into my flesh, causing me to cry out. Tears spring to my eyes.
“Quiet. I have a gun and I won’t hesitate to shoot up this entire club, starting with your friends. It would be a shame to make their pink outfits all red with blood.”
11
Danica
He has a gun. He’s threatening my friends. I freeze completely. Not only from the pain. I’m scared shitless, and more furious than I’ve ever been in my life.
His slimy voice is right in my ear as he moves in closer. “Nobody gets hurt if you keep your mouth shut. I just want to talk to you about your family. And your groom.”
My mind whirls. He wants to talk about Edmund? My family? I can guess why, but still, this makes no sense. And where’s Caleb? I haven’t seen him in a while. Figures—I spent days trying to ditch him. Now that I wish he was here, he’s nowhere to be found.
“What do you want?” I say through a clenched jaw.
“There. I knew you could behave.” He sounds perfectly amiable, almost conversational. If it weren’t for the agony of his grip and the revulsion I’m feeling, he could sound like a friend. “I want you, your family, and the Laytons to get the fuck out of San Esteban.”
“Let me guess—you’re a Vorsong?”
“Smart and beautiful.” He presses closer. I’m still frozen—by fear, and by the pain radiating down my arm, sharp and caustic. He grinds against my side. His voice darkens. “Maybe I’ll marry you.”
“You absolutely will not.” I want to stomp on his foot, but I don’t want him to shoot my friends.
“Tell your groom, and tell your grandpa I say hi. Tell them we’re watching. Tell them to pack up, leave town. You all will, if you know what’s good for you.”
I want to scream, but all I can think about is his gun. His closeness. The cloying scent of his cologne.
He spins me around, still holding onto my shoulder. Leans in.
He licks the side of my face with a warm, wet tongue.
Before I can either vomit all over him or knee him in the groin—both options sound equally good—he disappears into the crowd.
I can only stand, frozen in place. I need a shower, disinfectant, and maybe several vaccines.
He’s gone. What the hell can I do? Going upstairs to the VIP room, or rejoining my friends on the dance floor…hell, existing? It all sounds bad. I don’t want to do any of it. I can’t even take a step. I hold my arms tight around myself, shivering with fear and anger.
“Danica!” Caleb pants as he runs up to me. “I’ve been looking all over for you—you can’t keep disappearing on me like that. Edmund’s going to kill me.”
“I—we have to go. We have to get my friends and go.” My voice is a whisper. That Vorsong guy could still be here. Waiting. He could shoot anyone and everyone in this club.
“What?” Caleb’s brows pull together in confusion. “I can’t hear you. What happened?”
“We have to leave. Now! Someone from Vorsong grabbed me!”
“Okay, let’s go.” He moves straight into bodyguard mode, keeping close to my side and hustling me toward the door.
I hesitate. “But my friends?—”
“Text them once you’re safe.”
I text as we walk, and also keep an eye out for the Vorsong man. Caleb makes a call and by the time we get out of the club, the limo is pulling up. I’m vaguely aware of the people in line gawking as Caleb blocks me from their view and opens the door before shutting me inside.
