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I fumble in my purse for my wallet, fingers trembling as I extract my driver’s license. “What’s this checkpoint for? I didn’t see any signs.”

“Security concerns in the area, ma’am.” He takes my license, studying it longer than necessary. “Audrey Worthington. Where are you headed this evening?”

“To visit a friend.” I try to keep my voice casual, though my pulse pounds so loudly I’m certain he can hear it.

“A friend.” He repeats the words slowly. “Would this friend happen to be Jackson Mitchell? Or does he prefer to be called Reign?”

Ice floods my veins. He knows. They know.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My voice sounds thin, unconvincing even to my own ears.

The officer leans closer, and for the first time, I get a clear look at his face. Not an officer at all, but one of Gio’s security team—the one who always stands at his right hand during business meetings. The one who drove us to the arena for Ben’s fight.

“Step out of the vehicle, Miss Worthington.” His tone leaves no room for argument.

“I don’t think I will.” I reach for the window button, intending to close it and lock my doors, but his hand shoots out, gripping my wrist with painful force.

“That wasn’t a request.”

My other hand slides toward my purse, fingers seeking the phone Reign gave me. If I can just press redial, let him know something’s wrong?—

A sharp pain stings my neck, like an insect bite but deeper. My free hand flies to the spot, fingers connecting with something small and metallic protruding from my skin.

A dart.

“What did you—” My tongue suddenly feels too large for my mouth, the words slurring together as I try to form them.

“Mr. Vega would like to speak with you.” The man’s voice seems to come from very far away now. “He’s concerned about your emotional state.”

The world tilts sideways, colors blurring as my vision begins to fade at the edges. My last coherent thought is of Reign waiting at the airstrip, not knowing I won’t arrive, before darkness rushes up to swallow me whole.

TWENTY-THREE

REIGN

The enginesof the Gulfstream hum as technicians make their final checks. Sunset spills across the tarmac in streaks of orange and gold, the sky preparing for night.

In less than an hour, we’ll be in that sky, Audrey beside me, leaving Cooper Heights and all its bullshit behind. My chest tightens with something unfamiliar. Anticipation, maybe. Or the closest thing to happiness I’ve felt in years.

I check my watch again. Twenty minutes since Audrey’s call. Her voice had been breathless, excited. In the three months since San Diego, I’ve heard that laugh too rarely. Seen too little of the real Audrey, the one who came alive in my arms, who matched me desire for desire, strength for strength. Vega and her stepmother kept her caged, collared, controlled.

Tonight, I’m breaking those chains for good.

I scan the horizon, searching for the headlights of her BMW. The private airstrip is deserted except for our plane and the two SUVs I arranged for transport. No signs of trouble yet, but my instincts are firing anyway. I roll my shoulders, trying to dispel the tension.

The sound of tires on gravel draws my attention. A black Range Rover approaches, familiar enough that I don’t reach for my weapon. Marcus. Right on schedule.

He parks beside one of the SUVs and climbs out.

“All set?” he asks, scanning the area as he approaches, a habit neither of us has ever broken.

“Plane’s ready. Pilot’s done his checks. We’re just waiting on Audrey.”

Marcus nods, his eyes moving to the empty road beyond the hangar. “She on her way?”

“Twenty minutes out, max.” I check my watch again. “She called when she left her parent’s house.”

“And you’re sure no one followed her from the estate? That’s a long drive to stay undetected.”