Page 23 of Break Me
“Rolland took a flight.”
I close my fingers around the grip of the gun and glance at my reflection in front of the armoire. There are dark circles under my eyes. What a surprise.
“Where.” And why didn’t I know that? My men are supposed to be tracking him.
Unless he’s as smart as I am. Which is doubtful. But he has means.
“Where do you think?” Caden spits, and I know he’s panicking.
“That’s impossible. I would have known.” I walk to the door and pull it open, charging down the hall with the gun in hand, phone held between my shoulder and my ear. I don’t even spare Ava a glance as I unbolt my door and fling it open, walking across the hall to Riley’s door. I pound on it, four quick strikes in a row, then a fifth one a second later.
“Mom told me. Left a voicemail. He probably has a fake passport or something, I don’t know, are those even real?”
I almost laugh.
But no one is coming to the damn door, so I don’t.
I pound on it again, and I hear Ava behind me. She comes into view at my side, adjusting the strap on her dress from the day before. “What the hell?” she whispers, and I know she saw the gun.
“Who the fuck is that?” Caden asks, having heard her.
“I’ll call you back.” I hang up on him, slide the phone in my back pocket, and turn around, heading back to my door. I push past Ava, who looks pale, and find my way into the kitchen, grabbing the key to Riley’s unit from the knife drawer. I grab a knife while I’m at it, a chef’s knife, and hand it to Ava as I pass her.
“What the fuck is going on?” she demands to know, reluctantly taking the knife, but I don’t have time to explain shit to her.
I unlock Riley’s door and slam it back on its hinges, barging into her apartment.
“Riley!” I yell, looking around the living room. It’s neat and tidy as it usually is, but I don’t see any sign of her or Tyler. I walk down the hall, calling her name again. No response.
How the fuck did Rolland Virani get on a plane without my knowing about it, especially to cross into the States? I should’ve known. My people should have known.
“Riley!” I call again, and I hear Ava’s footsteps behind me. I glance over at her. “Get back to my place.” I don’t wait to see if she’s listened.
I open Riley’s door, my heart slamming in my chest. If I fucked this up, if she’s hurt…
I don’t see anything at first. But then there’s a stir of movement on her bed, a small lump in the covers, and I see a strand of her long, light brown hair. I let loose a breath, leaning against the wall across from her bed, my shoulders sagging as I close my eyes and run a hand through my hair.
Thank fuck.
Riley stirs again and then she sits up, her eyes bleary as she realizes I’m in her room. She pulls up the covers to her chin as if I haven’t seen her naked before.
“Benji?” she whispers, her voice hoarse. “What’s wrong?”
I take another breath, in and out, and I see her eyes cut to the gun in my hand. “Everything is okay,” I tell her.
She frowns, not buying it.
“Although you’re going to want to call Caden. Now.” I turn to go. “And I’ll be in your living room until you get up.”
And then I leave her, closing the door behind me.
Ava is in the hallway, knife no where to be seen. My eyes narrow on her. “I thought I told you to—”
“You storm down the hallway and out the door with a gun in your hand, you don’t get to tell me what to do!” She’s wearing the dress but she’s barefoot and her blonde hair is wild around her face, her eyes glistening. “What the hell is going on?”
I grab her arm, and steer her down the hall, not wanting Riley to panic any more than she probably already is. I lead Ava to a chair in the living room and push her down, but she fights me, trying to stay on her feet.
I push harder.
