Page 75 of Wretched Soul
“That dive?” he asks, but the second our eyes meet, he knows this isn’t the time for quips. “Go out the back and turn right. Do you need backup?”
The truth is I don’t know, and I don’t want to waste time scoping the place. “Can you spare Simon?”
Calder’s already putting his phone to his ear. “He’ll be waiting at the back door with two extra guys. Do you want me to join you?”
I’m already stepping past him. “This isn’t your mess.”
Simon meets me at the door and hands me a gun. As promised, he’s with another two of Calder’s guys.
“Tell me what I need to know,” Simon says.
I shove the gun into my waistband beneath my jacket as he leads the way through the back alleys. “Lily and Kaitlyn are in the club as far as I can tell. Kaitlyn posted a message that just says help,” I explain. “I don’t know what we’re walking into, but you should know that I’m ready to kill someone whether they deserve it or not.”
Second to my fear that Lily has been harmed, is the real possibility that I’ll do more than break bones if someone has so much as laid his eyes on her for too long.
“I understand. We’ll contain the situation,” he promises, “even if that means containing you.”
We stop in front of a set of fire doors covered in graffiti, and Simon hammers a fist against it. It opens immediately. The nightclubs don’t share security, but they do share intel. They’re already expecting us, and the bouncer who lets us in simply gives Simon a respectful nod.
“Try to keep it discreet,” he says.
Simon glances at me. My eyes are laser-focused and my mouth cuts a thin line across my face. I’m on a short fuse, and just the suggestion that we should keep things civil has me ready to explode.
“We’ll be in and out before you know it,” Simon tells him as he gestures for me to head to doors that take us into the main dance area.
The place smells of stale beer and the décor is past its best, but the promise of cheap alcohol has drawn in a crowd. Strobe lights pick up writhing bodies on the dance floor, but I don’t see Lily.
“We need to find them,” I yell over the heavy beat of music.
“We’ll split up, but I’ll stay with you,” Simon says. To his colleagues, he adds, “You two check the dance floor. We’ll take the tables and booths.”
I don’t need to ask if the others would recognize Lily. All the staff at Heatrush know to watch for her and Kaitlyn. Calder always has my back despite his smart mouth.
I prowl the edges of the club as I search the shadows untouched by the spotlights on the dance floor. My gaze flicks from one table to the next, one profile to another. I don’t see her. I dare a quick glance at my cell. There are no more messages from Kaitlyn. What if they’ve gone? What if we’re too late.
Simon puts a hand to his earpiece. “We’ll be right there.”
I remain tense. “What have they found?”
“They have Kaitlyn. She says Lily was over by the booths,” he says, pointing to the opposite side of the dance floor. “They got separated.” The situation sounds containable, until he adds. “On purpose.”
I’m on the move, and I take a direct route across the dance floor in the direction Simon pointed towards. I elbow sweaty bodies out of the way, not caring who I manhandle or who I upset. Simon is right behind me and his job is to threaten the partygoers brave enough to challenge me.
The crowd shows no sign of thinning and I’m wondering if a couple of gun shots in the ceiling would be a more effective way of clearing a path, but then we’re through. I check left and right, and see Kaitlyn emerging with Simon’s guys. Her tear-stained eyes meet mine for a heartbeat, and then I follow where her finger points.
Chapter 25
Lily
Toby grabs my elbow and drags me along the bench seat. I don’t have the strength to fight him, but I know I need to stay. How else will Shade find me? Except he doesn’t know where I am. I didn’t reply to his text.
Fog fills my head. Didn’t reply to whose text? And why is this guy pulling me? He said I needed fresh air. He wants me to leave with him.
My arms flail. “Get off me!”
Toby lets go and I scramble back along the bench seat. It’s so hot in here, and I can’t breathe. My mouth is parched. It feels like it’s stuffed with cottonwool balls. My hands go to my cheeks. They’re wet. Did I know I was crying?
“Hey, don’t get upset,” Toby says. “If you need a moment, that’s fine. We’ve got all night, baby.”
