Page 122 of Massacre Monday

He scratches his stubble and gets a dreamy expression. “I think she does, but we just don’t discuss it. Mainly, I don’t want her worrying about this situation until I can alert the Board to take Amanda out of here. We’ll protect Pippi, Son. Don’t worry.”

“Ican protect her.”

“That’s my boy.”

Before he leaves, he gives me an easy hug so as not to disrupt my bandages.

By later afternoon,I’m itching to see my girl again.

Me

where u at? I need dinner. I’m starving

But it goes unanswered. Worried, I call Henry.

“Sup. I’m training and too busy for you.Iam also a superstar. One who doesn’t piss off brothers and get beat up.”

“Where’s Pen?”

“She’s in class! I took her there!”

“You took her to her afternoon class?”

There’s hesitation on the line. “Well, I escorted her dutifully to the admin building.”

Fuck.“That was this morning, Henry!”

“I gotta go.” He ends the call.

My jaw pops as I clench it. After calling Amelia, Aiden, and Max, the lead balloon filling my gut grows heavier.

She’s gone.

“Oh, wait! Here she is. It’s fine,” I tell Max, so I don’t worry him. “Sorry, her class ran late. Want to talk to her?”Please say no.

“Just tell her to call me later,” he says.

“Okay, I will. Bye.”

Think!Where would Amanda take Pen? Her office? No way. Catacombs beneath the cathedral? Not likely. The Board would hear about this…

Sanguine Manor?

It’s definitely worth a shot. I’d hate to have to burn down campus in order to find her.

But I definitely will.

It’s painful to put on a T-shirt and hoodie. Bending over to tie my boots almost makes me pass out, but my worries push me forward. I grab my Smith & Wesson and stuff it into my hip holster, then pull my sweatshirt over it, and I’m out the door.

A drizzle falls to the ground as nightfall rapidly approaches. Shadows from the streetlamps grow longer as I stroll up to the Manor’s derelict gates.

Part of me wonders if I should have asked Aiden to come…or Adal. They would, but I can handle one little professor. Especially with one in the chamber, ready to pop as soon as I find my girl.

But if I have to torture this woman for laying a finger on Pen, then I want to be quiet about that. Though, I do wonder how she could restrain Pen, who’s highly capable of taking care of herself. Unless she got her by surprise. Or drugged her.

There’s no noise around the house, other than the sound of pattering rain, which soaks my clothes. The gray boards creak loudly beneath my boots as I shuffle across the front porch to the door. As expected, it’s locked, but I slide over to a few windows, which are barred and covered in black fabric.

I head down to the side of the house, hoping to find a way inside, or at least peek through the transoms in the cellar. The thunder picks up, and the rain fattens as I round the corner.