By the time we reach her block, I’m vibrating with rage. We don’t need confirmation of the break-in. The window of her balcony is shattered.
I bolt from the car while it’s still moving, giving Kieran no time to come to a complete stop. My feet hit the pavement so hard it jars my teeth, but I’m across the courtyard and through the entrance before my brain catches up.
I drop the key fob outside the main door and sprint for the stairs, taking them two at a time. Her front door looms ahead of me, and I only slow enough to pinpoint the hinges and calculate the weakest spot of the door.
I don’t knock.
I raise my leg and slam my booted foot into the surface beside the lock.
Twice.
The frame splits as the lock gives way, and the door swings open to show the dark interior of Eris’s apartment, only lit by a single lamp in the living room
Daniel turns toward the sound, eyes wild and breathing fast. He licks his lips, a smug smirk filling his face as he opens his mouth to speak.
He doesn’t get the time he needs.
I lunge through the entrance, standing toe-to-toe with Daniel in two quick strides.
And I hit him with the heaviest haymaker I can throw.
Once across the jaw.
Twice to the gut.
He collides with the wall, a wheeze leaving his mouth as he slides down it like someone unplugged the power source keeping him upright.
I follow him, changing the trajectory of my swing and leaning into my left-hand punches so I don’t put another hole in the wall.
“Jace,” Kieran barks, catching my arm.
“I told him not to touch her,” I snarl, glaring down at the piece of shit I could so easily kick to death right here.
“He’s not touching anyone now,” Kieran tells me calmly.
Daniel tries crawling away, a pathetic little scrabble of limbs. I itch to kick him, just flatten him out again, and not stop.
Silas grabs the back of Daniel’s shirt, hauling the squirming man upright like he’s nothing, and leans in until they’re inches apart.
“You should be more afraid than this,” Silas warns Daniel, his voice so frigid he leaves frost in the air. “Self preservation is the only friend you’ve got left.”
Daniel freezes.
“You don’t know what you’ve walked into,” Silas murmurs. “But keep walking, and you won’t get out.”
He lets go of his hold, and Daniel’s legs fold, knees hitting the floor like discarded trash being tossed away.
I don’t give him another second of my attention. Kieran and Silas can handle escorting him out.
I’m already moving through the wreckage toward the bathroom door. But I don’t want to scare Eris… So, I press my hand against the wood, not pounding or demanding entrance. Just a soft, steady sound I know she can hear.
“Eris, it’s me,” I say, more of a whisper than I mean it to be. Kieran smacks my chest, frowning, and I clear my throat. “It’s Jace. Open the door. Please.”
The knob turns immediately, and then she’s there, standing in the doorway.
Alive. Barefoot. Hair mussed from sleep.
Face sharp with focus instead of fear…
