“We’ll find her, I promise. If anyone can find her, it’s me and Archer,” I reassure him, stepping over a few dead guards. We need to get out of here before the cops show up.
Not that I’m worried, the whole squad is in our back pocket. They need us more than they’ll ever admit.
Jasper doesn’t even acknowledge me, he looks straight ahead like he’s given up. I need to get him out of here. There’s a chance the girl we are looking for might be at the hotel, but I don’t say anything, not wanting to get his hopes up.
I bend down and pat the jacket of each guard, looking for a set of keys. The first two had nothing, but their little friend had a set, ripe for the taking. I grab them and click the buttons of thefob, hoping the car is within reach. A few moments later, some stupid Corvette beeps.
Stupid fucking rich fucks and their dumb-ass cars.
Jasper follows, and we get in without any problem, which I’m thankful for.
I light up a cigarette from the center console and bring it to my lips. The smoke fills my lungs, then I exhale before throwing it out the window. The lit cigarette hits the ground, and a flame begins right where the alcohol on the ground starts. It lights everything up very quickly, and before I know it, the whole warehouse is in flames.
I’m ready to end this. But for some reason, this doesn’t seem like the end, only the beginning.
The driveto the hotel is spent in silence. I know Jasper has a lot of intel on Peter, but he’s spent years—according to Emris—with Peter, and this is the first time he’s been free. He needs some time to work through everything he’s been through before he’ll be ready to talk. And on top of all of that, losing the woman he loves… a man can only handle so much.
He glances around, taking in the beauty that James Towers is. Everyone nods in greeting, but I’m not in the damn mood to acknowledge them. Yes, a lot of tonight went okay, but it could’ve easily gone south. I should’ve done more for Jasper. I don’t even know this asshole, but I still can’t shake the failure from my head.
I scan my badge when we get into the elevator and press the button that will take us to the top floors. The classicalmusic playing through the speakers grinds on my nerves. I need something to drink, and something strong.
The doors open, and I push off the wall and enter the hallway. At the end is where Emris, Brielle, and Archer are most likely, but I have a feeling Jasper’s not ready to see anyone else yet, so I pass their room and go to the one next door. Most of the other women are on the floors above us. Any of the girls from tonight are being looked over by the doctor we already had waiting, and a few other trusted women who come and help get them settled and offer support.
When I get the door unlocked, I hold it open for Jasper.
“This will be your room. No need to leave any time soon, you can stay as long as you want—permanently or temporarily. Just know you won’t be tossed out to figure all this shit out on your own.”
Jasper nods, taking in the room.
“Emris is in the room before yours. Archer will be busy dealing with the aftermath, but if you need anything, feel free to come to my room across the hall. If not, there are menus in the drawer in the kitchen area. You can order up room service, free of charge, and the mini fridge is stocked with drinks and alcohol.”
“Thank you,” he says, making his way over to the windows and looking out. I wonder how long it’s been since he saw the city.
As I go to pull the door closed, I remember that I have no information on the girl he’s looking for. I want to make sure I know her name so I can pass it on when we check on the girls upstairs.
“What’s her name?”
He pauses and looks at me before saying her name. “Delaney.”
My knees feel weak, like at any moment I might crumble. I haven’t heard her name in a while because we refuse to say it. It can’t be the same girl. There’s no way she could’ve been right there this whole time. No, there must be thousands of women with that name. It’s notourDelaney.
I stare at Jasper, feeling as if a weight had been tied to my heart and ripped out.
55
BRIELLE
Arrivingat the hotel feels like a dream, and so did being carried by Emris through the back doors to the employee elevator—Archer didn’t want to deal with the wandering eyes if we were to walk through the lobby. My lack of clothing is probably also a reason. I only have a bathing suit on, and Emris gave me his suit jacket, but my body’s still shaking from the adrenaline crash.
The ride up to the penthouse we stayed in last time is silent, the air heavy with tension. Emris sets me on the couch and says he’ll be back in a second. I want to tell him to stay, not to leave me, but I can’t find the words, so I watch him walk away, his steps carrying him back toward the door. My heart pounds in my chest so loud I think I can hear it. My fingers dig into the couch cushions under me, as if I hold tight enough, he won’t disappear.
What if he leaves, and Troy or Peter find me?
I whimper in fear and squeeze my eyes shut, terror crashing through me.I won’t go back. I can’t go back.My chest locks up like it’s caged, breaths coming in shallow and useless gulps. Fingers brush my cheek, and I scream, scrambling backward, trying to put as much distance between myself and Troy as my body will allow.
“Open your eyes, baby.”
I can’t.
