Page 80 of Fixate

Pip tore off as I reached them. His gaze scanned the crowd as he went, like he was hunting for something in particular.

I knew I should have called out to him. Hell, I should have been trying to figure out if there was actually a bomb and trying to get the police to help us.

But none of that was my priority.

No, it was the man in front of me, looking at me like he was terrified I’d been hurt.

“Daddy,” I said softly once I was within reach.

He pulled me to his chest. I could smell the fresh scent of his soap, letting me know he’d probably just finished his shower when Pip grabbed him.

“Mon Chou! I’m so glad you’re ok. What’s going on? We need to check on the security and find out what the status is,” he said while trying to drag me with him back the way I’d come.

“They’re pieces of shit. They were lounging around minutes before the call came. I took it and told them to follow protocol.”

He turned back at me with a grin. “Sounds like you might need to help me get new guys in there too.”

I thought of Tank and his NightShade people. He would be a good resource to call in for this type of thing. He vetted his men within an inch of their life. If anyone would bring us great recruits, he’d be it.

“Ok, Daddy. I’ll handle it.”

The noise swelled as more people rushed in from the various stores and floors above us. It was utter madness.

A man barged between me and Daddy, breaking the grip we had on one another. I was about to shout at him when I felt a sharp sting.

Looking down, I saw a knife sticking out of my gut. When I looked back up, Daddy was more steps away, his head turned back as he looked for me. I’d bent forward with the pain of the knife, meaning he couldn’t see me anymore.

As I opened my mouth to speak, it felt like the weight of the world crashed down on my shoulders. I was suddenly lethargic to the point where my eyes started to close without my permission.

Not today, motherfuckers.

I need to see him. To see Daddy.

Safe.

Need to get safe.

It was no use though. I felt the darkness closing in on me as I slid to the ground. Feet crashed against my body, trampling me as they tried to escape.

I groaned and curled into a ball, hoping it would protect me long enough for Daddy to get back to me. He wouldn’t leave me here. He couldn’t.

I was his. He’d said so.

As I closed my eyes, I hoped this bomb threat wasn’t real because with the time ticking and a stab wound, I worried I’d run out of good luck.

Pip

Fucking hell.

What a disaster.

Disarming a bomb was one of my least favorite activities. There was no blood, and it always left me feeling jittery afterwards. Probably the whole ticking clock aspect.

I needed to get back to Pharrell and Ricardo to see what else needed to be handled. But there were too many fucking people. Goddamn animals.

GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY.

I wanted to roar the words out loud. Wanted to let the beast free so they’d clear a path.