Page 97 of Every Last Breath

“This is an emergency. Maddox Kinkade has been abducted. I need to speak to Castle.”

Why weren’t they listening to him?

They’d seen him before with Maddox. He was on their damn list.

The security guards behind the desk exchanged a quick glance. One picked up a phone and made a call. The other said, “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to wait outside.”

“I’ve been here before. With Maddox Kinkade. You know who I am. Cole Matthews.”

“Sir, you’re emotional and armed. I’m going to have to ask you to wait outside.”

Cole glanced down. With his arms up, the holstered Glock was visible. Damn it to hell. He hadn’t been thinking about the gun, and he had a knife sheathed at the small of his back and another in his boot.

“You need to step outside, sir. Castle Kinkade will be up shortly.”

Turning, Cole kept his hands in the air. His heart was a merciless hammer beating against his rib cage as he stormed outside.

Rage revved through him full throttle. Unable to contain the blistering steam, he stalked back and forth on the pavement. His fists shook at his sides. His body wired, he was keen to bring the Ghost serious pain. To break every bone in his body.

Leaving her had been a mistake. He should’ve protected her, above all else. That was his one job. He was supposed to protect her. He should’ve followed his gut.

Damn it! What had that maniac done to her? What if…

No. No ifs. He’d find Maddox. He’d get her back. He’d find the Ghost, too, and put him down for good.

Ferocious thoughts of violence battered his brain.

Castle, Reece, and Gideon rushed outside.

Cole clung to the thinning threads of his sanity. “He took her.”

“What happened?” Castle steamrolled up to him. “Who took Maddox?”

The hot tang of bile spurted up Cole’s throat. “I was just with her. Most of the night.” He stalked in a circle, the words flying from his mouth. “I left for five fucking hours. When I got back, she was gone. The shower still fucking running. That bastard!”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Castle grabbed Cole by his jacket.

This was Cole’s fault. He’d left her alone. Five hours. Long enough to give the Ghost a chance to take her. To hurt her.

If he’d been there, the way he should’ve, this never would’ve happened.

“I-I-I didn’t think she wanted me to spend the night. So I left.” He should’ve swallowed his pride and slept on the stupid pullout. Then she’d be safe right now. But she needed space.

Stupid. He was so stupid.

“Wouldn’t let you spend the night?” Castle’s face twisted into something beastly. “Did you fuck my sister?”

The hot bite of those words ate through the panic, gave the thrumming fury a way to vent.

With a swift downward blow, Cole broke Castle’s hold and gave him a vicious shove, sending the big guy stumbling back. “It’s none of your damn business. You’re not hearing—”

Launching a right hook, Castle swung wide. Cole dodged it, but Castle followed up with a power punch, clipping him.

Pain stabbed his rib cage. Cole fought through it, throwing a jab. A sharp reflex. His fist smacked Castle’s chin, throwing Maddox’s brother off balance. Sweeping a leg out under Castle and snatching the tough guy’s wrist, Cole flipped him over, hurling him to the ground.

Then he stepped back.

“I’m ready to stomp someone’s face in! But I’d rather it not be yours, because I need your help to find Maddox. That maniac drugged her. Took her! Do you understand? She’s gone. And I don’t know where. Help me find her.”