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Niko shakes his head. “No, we drove in separate vehicles. I still had things to finish up with Kallum andAleksi over the phone. Why?”
I bite my trembling lip. “I haven't seen him, and I can't find him, and he's not answering my calls.”
His brows shoot up and he looks at Parker, then me again. “Let me try his burner.”
I look away from him to see a man in all black, wearing one of those LED masks– with an X over the eyes. He seems to be staring at me, too. A group of people walks past him, and he's gone. My stomach coils tightly. “Something's wrong. We need to leave,” I gasp, trying not to hyperventilate as I look up to Niko, nodding in agreement.
“Yeah. The location of his phone is at an abandoned warehouse just outside of Greenwich. Elio isn't answering, either – but he's at the same location. C'mon. We'll stop there. I'm sure they just got caught up with something.”
But he would have texted me. My husbandalwaystexts me. He always kisses me good morning and kisses me goodnight. I can’t even sleep unless he does. Even when we’re upset with each other, which is hardly ever since we’ve moved into the mansion.
“Yes, please. Take me to my husband. I need to see him.” I try to swallow down the panic, but I don't think I do a very good job – because Niko and Parker are quick to put me between them and soon, we’re leaving the gallery. I know the Albertini’s will understand when I'm not there at midnight for her big speech. I grab Parker’s hand, hoping it will soothe me, and when he squeezes mine, it does settle me a bit. But not enough.
Parker helps me buckle in – because Niko is a terrible driver. Or maybe he’s the best at swerving and not hitting anyone. My knees bounce in trepidation, knowing I'll only be able to fully settle once I have eyes on my husband. The streets are crowded with partiers, celebrating All Hallow’s Eve, and – for once – I wish Niko would.
We arrive at the abandoned warehouse, and Niko sharply inhales at the skid marks on the ground. He comes to a sputtering stop, jumping out – phone already in hand, calling someone. And I run to my husband’s SUV. The one that’s been flipped upside down, with bullet holes everywhere. Gas is leaking, but still, I scream his name.
It feels like it all happens in slow-motion.
I don’t know where the flames come from – but Niko is screaming, and Parker is quick to help someone out of the front seat.
It’s not my husband.
Where is my husband?
I… He needs to kiss me goodnight. I can’t sleep unless….
“Niko?” I ask softly, voice barely above a whisper.
Elio weakly clings onto Parker as he drags him out.
“They got him. Took.. him…” he groans before passing out.
No. no. no. no. no. no. no.
I almost laugh. “That doesn’t make sense. My husband grumbled he was picking up his suit. He was going to meet me at the party. He was a wolf. I’m his bunny. See?”
“Get her home, Savage. I’ll deal with this. Get her home. Aleksi is on his way with help before the cops show up. I’ll be by as soon as we get Elio help. It won’t take long. Aleksi already sent a message out to our doctor. He’s in Brooklyn. This won’t take long.”He garbles. Or maybe he’s talking normally, but it’s all… reverberating in my mind.
No. I-I-I-I need to find my husband.
I can’t breathe.
We’re in the car.
I’m suffocating in the car.
Where is my husband?
He’s home. He has to be home. I…
He has to kiss me goodnight.
The mansion.
Yes. Home. He’ll be here.
I kick off my shoes and run around, calling out his name – as if he’s just there, waiting for me. Nothing but a Halloween prank.