Page 59 of His Ruthless Match

“Breathe,” I said, my voice firmer now, though my heart was threatening to tear out of my chest. “You’re safe now, but I need you to tell me what happened. Who the fuck hurt you?”

She took a shuddering breath and wiped at her nose with the back of her hand, smearing blood across her cheek. “I came to Genevieve’s hotel room to talk about the latest photos,” she started, her voice thick with emotion. “We were just… talking. And then we heard this noise. Like… something falling over.”

I clenched my fists, barely holding back my rage. “Go on.”

She sniffled, her hands shaking as she clutched her knees. “We weren’t worried at first. Security was right outside. At least, we thought they were.”

I clenched my jaw, and my cougar growled deep within me. Someone was going to pay for this.

“Then someone came out of the closet,” she continued, her voice breaking. “A man. I don’t even know how he got in there. He just… he rushed Genevieve. I tried to stand, but?—”

She stopped, covering her face with her hands.

“Eva,” I said gently, my anger simmering just below the surface. “What did he do?”

She dropped her hands, her voice rising with desperation. “He shoved me into the wall! I didn’t even see his face. By the time I got my bearings, he was gone. And so was Genevieve.” Her voice cracked, and she buried her face in her knees. “I didn’t know what to do. I froze. I fucking froze.”

“You did exactly what you were supposed to do,” I said, tentatively putting my hand on her shoulder. She didn’t flinch, so I left it there. “You pressed the button. That’s what matters.”

Her head lifted slightly, her tear-streaked face a mix of guilt and fear. “What if he hurts her? What if I?—”

“Stop. This isn’t your fault. Whoever this asshole is, he’s the one who’s going to pay. You hear me?”

She nodded, though her tears kept falling.

I gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze and stood. “Stay here. I’m going to sweep the room. I’ll be back in two minutes.”

“Jareth, wait?—”

“You’re safe,” I said as I pulled a dagger from my boot. “No one’s getting past me. I promise.”

I stepped out of the bathroom, every nerve in my body on high alert. The hotel room was trashed—furniture overturned, glass shattered on the floor, and the faintest trace of magic lingering in the air. Why the hell would a magical being get caught up with this Hollywood bullshit? I wondered if I should fill in The Shadow, though I didn’t want to bother him with theories. I needed proof.

I checked every corner, every possible hiding spot, but there was nothing. No clue as to where he’d taken Genevieve. No sign of where they’d gone. Cursing under my breath, I returned to the bathroom. Eva looked up at me with a mixture of hope and dread. “Well?” she asked, her voice small.

“Nothing,” I admitted, frustration lacing my words. “The guy covered his tracks well. But I’ve got his scent. If I can track him?—”

“No,” she cut in, standing shakily. “We’re going to the police. I hate to do it, but this is too big for us. I have to report her as missing.”

I raised an eyebrow. “The police?”

She crossed her arms, a flash of her usual defiance breaking through. “Yes, the police. It’ll draw more media attention to Genevieve, but I don’t have a choice. I have to report that she’sbeen abducted. This has gotten out of hand, and it’s above my pay grade.”

I couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at my lips. “I didn’t realize there was anything above your pay grade.”

“Jareth,” she said, but there was no real bite to it.

“Okay, but first, let me get you home and clean you up.”

She shook her head. “No way. I want you to take me directly to the police station.”

“Fine,” I relented. “I’ll take you to the cops. But I’m not leaving your side. Not for a second.”

She surprised me by not arguing. Interesting.

I moved to her side, slipping an arm around her waist to steady her as she stepped out of the tub. She was trembling, and she tensed under my touch. But gods, the way her body fit against mine was enough to send my thoughts spiraling into dangerous territory.

Focus, Jareth. Stop being a fucking sicko. She’s bleeding, for fuck’s sake.