Yes, the crime syndicate based on this island was ruthless. Yes, they needed to be stopped. But this wasn’t the way to do it. Not when people came on this island to find a home, to make friends, to find the love of their lives. That wasn’t how it was supposed to go. You couldn’t pit civilians against a dark organization and guarantee everyone would come out unscathed in the end.
“We’re trying to find out but it’s definitely nothing to do with us,” Autumn said again.
“Then why the fuck was Donovan there yesterday if not for protection?”
“Because Zach saw his ex here last week and Teddy wanted to be sure he was safe while he was taking time off,” Wyatt mumbled between his teeth.
“What? His ex? What does his ex have to do with all this?”
Autumn shrugged.
“He won’t say. Probably a bad breakup. The guy sounds like a stalker. We think that’s who set the fire, but we can’t be sure yet.”
Zach’s ex?
A stalker?
Shit.
This might be even worse than him getting involved in Wyatt’s war somehow.
Because this shit was personal. And far, far more dangerous.
“I need to go. I need to find him. Do you have his home address?” I asked Wyatt and his face hardened.
“Yeah, but I’m not sure—” Autumn started.
“Autumn, please. I need to check on him. I need to make sure he’s okay.”
She nodded and glanced at Wyatt before she spoke again.
“He lives in Chestnut Hill. Apartment 315. He’s Teddy’s neighbor.”
I nodded and rushed out the door without saying another word. I’d already said enough. Besides, there was nothing for me at The Outpost. Absolutely nothing and the sooner I got out of there, the better.
It was time to find Zach and make sure he was going to be okay.
FOUR
ZACH
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Teddy asked for the hundredth time, and I nodded. Also for the hundredth time.
“Go. Do your thing. I’m fine right here,” I said and held my cup of coffee closer to my chest.
“Call if anything happens,” he persisted, staring at me, his big blond masculine energy making me feel small, but also protected. It was nice having friends. Especially friends who could pack a punch.
“Nothing’s going to happen,” I reassured him, but he raised an eyebrow.
Even he knew that was a lie.
There was no telling what Victor would do. Maybe the truck was just the beginning. No, it most definitely was just the beginning. I would have thought he’d have gotten over me by now. Gotten over my ditching him. Moved on to another twink who could bend over for him, but apparently that wasn’t the case.
My poor truck. An innocent victim in all of this.
“Come on,” Teddy said. “Bolt the door behind me.”
I rolled my eyes for his benefit and stood up. Victor was more than capable of breaking down a door, but Teddy had to stop worrying about me so he could get on with his job.
