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Whiskey Burn

Page 166

by Ava Hunter

I keep my breathing even but feel sick inside as I race toward the tasting room. Music blasts into us the second we charge inside. Amid my roaring pulse, the haunting melody of “Lungs” sinks beneath my skin in ice-cold dread.

A low moan has all of us looking over.

Pushing herself up off the ground, tucked into a corner of the room, a hand to her head, is Hassie.

“Oh my god.” Warren launches himself at her, dropping to his knees. His hands find her bruised cheek, bringing her glassy gaze to his. “What happened?”

I step closer, scanning the tasting room, taking in tonight’s setup, the overturned chair, the bottle of spilled whiskey. “Where’s Delilah?”

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Cole.” Tears spill down Hassie’s pale cheeks as she finds my gaze. Blood soaks the side of her copper head. “I didn’t know…I didn’t…” She sucks in a sharp breath, fighting for control. “I got to the airport to pick up Nolan. But he wasn’t Nolan. He had a gun and was with another man. He forced me into his limo. Made me bring him here and—and…” Her face crumples. “I’m so sorry.”

“Fuck.” Warren, looking ready to stroke out, crushes her in his arms.

“Cameras are off,” River says.

Dread crashes over me. This was a trap. Somehow, someone knew we’d be gone tonight and used it to get access to the distillery. To Delilah.

“Delilah!” I bellow, racing down the hallway and into the Coop, the distillery. I call for her until my lungs give out, until I’m thundering back to the tasting room, where Hassie’s talking to Warren and Wells in low, distressed tones.

“How long ago?” I demand, flexing my fists.

“It was seven, like we agreed on.”

“Tell me everything.” My heart’s in my throat, impatience callously sharpening my words, but I try for calm. It’s taking everything in me not to lose it right now.

River grips my arm. “Breathe, Cole.”

“I had my Bronco. But he forced me inside a limo. There was someone in the back seat, but I couldn’t see who it was. The two of us left the other man and came in here. He tried to make Delilah go with him, but then Evvie came in—”

Absolute silence.

“Wait.” Ezra crouches beside her, and I watch my brother’s stern demeanor snap like a rubber band. “Evvie was here?”

Uncle Vaughn swears.

“She snuck in. Somehow.” Hassie sucks in a sharp breath. “That’s when Delilah and I tried to fight. But I don’t know what happened after he hit me.” A sob escapes her throat. “I don’t know if he took Delilah or both of them…”

Wells screws his eyes shut. Wyoma bursts into tears.

“Evangeline! Bugs!” Shoving up, Ezra runs out of the tasting room, shouting. River races after him. Their frantic voices echo in the space around us.

The world tilts. I stare at the broken bottle of whiskey on the ground and grip the bar top to steady myself.

Delilah would never allow anyone to hurt Evangeline. She went with them.

The thought’s more than I can bear, and I close my eyes as terror frays my nerves. My resolve. My sanity.

Please has her.

He has my girl.

My heart thunders, rage and vengeance roaring inside of me.

When I stopped Delilah’s abduction, it only fed his obsession. Dino’s words come back to me now: He doesn’t give up when it comes to something he wants.

Please will stop at nothing to have her for whatever sick, twisted game he’s playing.

The man’s obsessed. Dangerous.