“Anything for Elowyn.” Not a lie.
I’ll do anything for my woman.
Starting by firing my SIG.
By killing the people who thought they could hurt her and get away with it.
30
DUNCAN
Raindrops land on my suit jacket, bead, then roll down the fabric as I move toward the warehouse. Wild grass reaches my knees, grazing against my pants with every step.
Years ago, Barclay and I walked up to a place just like this one.
Together, we treaded through a stretch of ground that was barely a trail. We reached the abandoned building carrying an unconscious Ross, who was about to get what was coming to him.
Back then, I was terrified. Justified as the murder was, sweat slicked my forehead. Adrenaline flooded my veins. My teeth chattered.
I’ve changed since.
Everything has.
As I walk alone toward what must be a MacQuoid property, my steps are steady. My stomach doesn’t churn. My grip on the SIG doesn’t shake.
I don’t feel my pulse. I don’t feel my breath.
All I feel isher.
There’s no room for fear when Elowyn’s life is on the line.
Somewhere behind those walls, my woman is alone in this windowless warehouse. Hurt. Scared.
I’m coming, little moon.
Frustrated at the never-ending path, I pick up my pace, tearing through the last hundred feet at a run.
My clothes are soaked by the time I reach the brass door, my hair falling onto my forehead. I swipe it back angrily while listening to what’s going on inside.
Of course I want to barge in, guns blazing.
But if Elowyn’s the one closest to the door, I might kill her.
I can’t and won’t lose the single most important person in my life.
I have to play it smart.
“What’d I tell you?” I hear Barclay, the ringleader. The role he loves so damn much. Young me called it charisma. What a joke. “He’s probably still bitching about the fire to the cops. He’s going to let you rot and take care of his whore investment only when it suits him. Once trash, always trash.”
A violent tremor rakes through me. It takes everything to stay outside.
“AndItoldyou.” Her determination threads through the walls. Sweet and furious, cutting straight into my marrow. “I don’t want him here.”
She’s still protecting me. Even now, she hopes I’ll save myself. After I’ve failed her.
And I have failed her. I didn’t install the best security systems because I’d been a fool, believing the high gates could keep the threats out.
Worse still, I let Barclay live. I dismissed his threat as a tantrum.
