Two. Conrad had a twisted streak, and he wouldn’t be planning anything quick with Blaire. I should have time.
Three. My gut hadn’t steered me wrong in a long time. Maybe it was time I trusted myself again.
Go. I raced into my closet, grabbing the ratty teddy bear I kept hidden there, and ripped its head off. The illegal gun hidden inside gleamed back at me. I tucked it into the back of my pants, grabbed the extra ammo I kept inside as well, stuffed my feetinto my boots, and brushed everyone off as I nearly sprinted toward my car.
Speeding through the streets, I prayed to whoever might be listening that there would be no traffic, that Blaire would be okay, that I wasn’t completely off course.
She didn’t deserve this. I promised her forever, and this could hardly be counted as an eternity. There hadn’t even been time to tell her everything I wanted to. I wanted to watch her face light up when I told her about the first time she smiled at me. Just me. The smile felt like a nuclear blast to my heart, jumpstarting something I thought was impossible. I meant it when I told her she didn’t need to remember everything. I would hold all the memories for her, gifting them to her when she needed to hear them the most.
Wasn’t trust the greatest sacrifice of all? Giving someone your complete faith, hoping they wouldn’t do you wrong? Blaire gave me that tenfold.
Keeping to the outskirts of the city had been the right call, because traffic was minimal. Soon, the riverbank appeared up ahead, and I followed it toward the warehouses hugging the far edges.
I slowed my car to a crawl. I didn’t want to announce my presence before it was absolutely necessary, and right now I hopefully had the element of surprise on my side. I wasn’t naïve enough to think Blaire would be left alone, but hopefully the damage to free her would be limited.
I parked behind a shipping container. When Circuit opened, I remembered hearing about it from people in passing. A weird place for a club, but people were into the idea. The distance from the city meant it rarely got shut down, making it a hot place for illicit activities. I assumed the distance was the reason behind its lack of busts, but now that I knew who owned it, I was evenless surprised. Conrad had reach everywhere, and I wouldn’t be shocked to find out he even had cops tucked away in his pockets.
Parking several yards away, in the shadow of another building, I crawled out into the night, wincing when the gravel crunched beneath my boots. A quiet entrance was nearly impossible with these goddamn conditions. I crept toward the end of the shipping container, peeking around the corner. The neon sign announcing Circuit’s location sat above the wide doors, currently closed. In the early light of dawn, the nightclub seemed sad, haunting.
Behind the main entrance, the warehouse stretched deep. There was no way a nightclub needed that much space, and I had to believe Blaire was somewhere in there. I just needed to figure out a way inside. There had to be a side entrance somewhere, maybe something that would let me slip inside without being noticed…
“Hey!” A man’s voice startled me from my planning. “Who the fuck are you?”
You had to be kidding me. I tore my gaze away from the warehouse, focusing on the man who had popped up to the side of me. His dark suit told me exactly who he worked for, and his vacant expression could only mean he was the muscle, not the brains of the organization.
I could outthink him. “Oh, good, I didn’t think I was going to see anyone. Conrad told me to meet him here, but I didn’t know where I was supposed to go.”
He frowned, trying to figure out what was wrong with what I said. “Conrad asked you to be here?”
“Yeah. Do you know where he is?” I clenched and unclenched my fist, trying to keep myself calm. I didn’t have time for this back and forth.Blairedidn’t have time.
“Well, yes, but he didn’t tell me he was expecting anyone. What did you say your name was?”
I couldn’t give him my nickname. Too many people knew me. “Donovan. Can you direct me where to go? Conrad doesn’t like tardiness.”
“No, he doesn’t.” The man looked around like someone else had the answer, and finally pointed. “Okay. There’s a side door right over there. Conrad’s in an office in the back. Ignore all the crates, a shipment just came in.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” I walked off before he could change his mind, the goddamn gravel crunching beneath my feet.
I didn’t trust him not to realize who I was. At the very least, he’d been very helpful in a few things. One, Conradwashere. Two, it was likely Blaire was here as well if Conrad gave instructions not to let anyone on the property. I just needed to make it inside.
“Wait! Stop!”
Not what I needed. I walked faster, the side door in my sight, my heart pounding. I knew something would click in his brain. Iknewit.
“I said, stop!” The bigger man grabbed my shoulder, just before I could reach the door handle. “Conrad told me someone might show up that kinda looks like you. Different name, though. Winder. But still, I think I should walk you in.”
“I’m good, really,” I tried to twist out of his grip, but I wouldn’t be able to without making a scene, and I had no idea how many people were behind that door. Get in, get out was the name of the game.
“I insist.” The guard opened the door, pushing me inside ahead of him.
“Get your fucking hands off me before I snap them off.” I pushed the lackey off me, letting my eyes adjust to the warehouse light. Blaire was in here. She had to be, for Conrad to be here.
Just hold on, baby. I’m coming.
Tall stacks of wooden crates filled the warehouse. Some were halfway unpacked, with smaller cardboard boxes lining pallets and carts. It was a mess, to say the least, and Blaire and I were likely unexpected guests.
Righting myself, I straightened my hoodie, only to come face to face with someone I never expected to see here.
