Forbidden (Blood Ties #7)

Broken it into a thousand tiny pieces to recreate my will.

What I’d done to her, to someone so full of rage and life and power…could never be forgiven.

My fist clenched at my side.

And it was all because of them.

These fucking vermin.

“Marks still hasn’t returned.” One guard looked up from his cell and spoke. “And he’s not answering my calls.”

Coulter scowled and shook his head. “That’s not like him. I want him located, immediately.”

Crunch.

The sound of a neck snapping rose in my head. The heavy weight of his body surfaced. They wouldn’t find Marks…no matter how hard they looked, not unless they could commune with the dead.

“If he will not answer my goddamn messages, then I’ll use the locator.”

I jerked my gaze his way. “Locator? What locator?”

He didn’t answer, just took a seat in front of his computer, which he’d now set up in the large conference room. He and his men were like locusts, invading and consuming every section of this goddamn place, and slowly choking us out.

“I’ll find him.” Coulter muttered as he typed.

I took a step closer, going as close as I dared. He pulled up a GPS screen on the monitor and, with the strokes of a few commands, brought the map of the compound to life with tiny, moving green dots.

He hovered over one and it instantly revealed the guard’s name and last known location. My pulse sped, filling me with panic. I took a step backwards, turned, and headed for the door.

My fingers shook as I lengthened my strides. My mind raced with all the possible scenarios as I pulled up my messages and typed:They have a fucking tracking system for the guards. MOVE THE BODY NOW!

I hit send, then delete, shoving my cell back into my pocket. My damn hand shook, causing me to clench my fist as I kept on walking. This was sliding through my fingers, all in the space of a matter of days.

Days for me.

But an eternity for her.

I winced and kept on walking, slammed my card against the scanner and pushed through the doors.

You are nothing but my entertainment…

Nothing but a string to pluck.

I rounded the corner and found Walker standing sentry outside her door. He jerked his gaze toward me. The semi-automatic in his hand had nothing to do with any attempt at escape andeverythingto do with her protection.

After today, she had a target on her back…and on her body.

“Boss.” Walker murmured.

I glanced at the darkened room, then turned to him. “Any problems?”

By problems, I meant with the guards.

“A few came by to check on her. They were told to kindlyfuck off.”

I gave a nod, my focus shifting to the dark room once more. She didn’t eat at dinner, nor did she drink. She’d just sat there staring with that same glazed fucking expression.I’d told her not to do this…I’d told her…I’d fuckingtoldher…

“I’ll take it from here.” I said, my heart hurting.