Forbidden (Blood Ties #7)

Something cool slipped down my cheek, the slick trail turned cold in its wake. I tracked the sensation as the hold around my wrists clenched tighter as the wetness raced for my ear and slipped inside.

“I’ll make sure there’s nothing left by the time the truck comes tomorrow.” Someone said.

But I didn’t care anymore.

Because I wasn’t here.

Not in this room.

Or this building.

Or this body.

I was long gone.

THIRTY-EIGHT

Riven

I swallowedthat first lick of heat, closing my eyes as the Scotch raced down my throat and spread through my body. Fuck Coulter. Fuck him and Harmon and Hale and every other sick motherfucker that didn’t deserve to take another goddamn breath.

The moment Helene was on that goddamn truck, we were out of here. I could finally get on with my life…what was left of it, at least. My thoughts turned to the future, to the one I hadn’t planned on. A flicker of jealousy flared as I glanced at my brother.

I wanted to go back to the house in the city, and to the place I’d known Helene best. Would she come back to me after this was all over? Or would I open the door to my brother’s apartment and find her there?

A wince tore through me.

“All my fucking workgone.”Kane groaned and swallowed his drink.

It was the same thing I’d heard for hours.

His work.

His data.

His years.

I came back into my body at the faint crackle of the two-way, but the volume was low and the call garbled. I ignored it.

Beep.

“What the fuck now.” I muttered and grabbed my cell.

Words danced across the screen. Words I didn’t quite understand. Time slowed, seconds became an eternity as I swiped my thumb across the screen and opened my messages.

Walker: THEY HAVE HELENE! GET HERE NOW!

“They have—” I started, and the glass fell from my hand.

I was already turning as thecrashcame when it hit the floor. Already lunging toward the counter to grab my gun.

“What the fuck?”Kane called.“What is it? Riven…RIVEN!”

My steps were too slow. My pulse too quiet as I gripped the weapon and punched through the doors. The bright corridors blurred.

They have Helene!

THEY HAVE HELENE!