Page 119 of Saving His Heart

“Do you have to walk so fast? You realize you’re nearly twice my size?”

Seth doesn’t even slow his gait until we are just outside of my apartment door. I know everyone keeps calling it Loki’s, but I signed a lease. I pay rent. For the first time in my life, I have my own space.That you can’t sleep in.But that’s beside the point. Who cares if I like to have people around all the time?Everyone cares, Sloane. You have to get a grip.

A strong rock of an arm barrels into my side, effectively blocking the hallway. Looking over, Seth stuck his arm in my way to keep me from moving forward. I’m about to protest when I follow his gaze and see the door is slightly ajar. But it’s the blood on the handle that has him holding me back.

“You stay here, don’t move. Stand against the wall and scream bloody murder if anyone comes down the hall. You understand?” he whispers menacingly.

I nod my head, yes, but in all honesty, I have no idea what I just agreed to. All I can think about is that my only means of making money is in my bedroom. My entire life lies in that Chromebook, and I can’t lose it.

I stand stock-still while Seth presses a button on his watch and then slides into the darkened apartment. I hold out for all of three seconds before I swear something touches my sleeve, and I bolt into the condo after him. Not sure which way he went, I head straight for my bedroom.

I’m about to enter the room when Seth stops me. “I told you to stay put. Goddamn it. Can’t you follow one simple direction?” he hisses.

I’m so sick of everyone treating me like a moron, so I elbow him in the gut and slam my hand against the wall to turn the light on. He wouldn’t be out here, hissing at me if he hadn’t already cleared the apartment.Right?

I march into the room like I own it and stop dead in my tracks. Facedown on the bed is a large, bloodied body, and I scream. The body doesn’t move, but Seth barrels into the room behind me. I’m already moving toward the bed.Loki.

“Stop, Sloane, stop,” Seth yells, unable to see Loki’s face from where he’s standing.

I drop to the bed beside him. I may not be the doctor in the family, but I know how to check for a pulse.

“Go, Seth. Get my sister now. It’s … It’s Loki,” I choke out. I’ve seen enough pictures I could tell his handsome face from a mile away. Even behind layers of dirt, blood, and God only knows what else, I can tell this is Preston’s missing friend.

Epilogue

Preston

Preston:We will land in Italy at six p.m. Before that, we are off-limits. No one is to interrupt us. No one is to text us. No one, and I mean no one, is to call, email, or even set foot on the Greek Isles for the next seven days. I will lose my shit as you’ve never seen, and I swear to God, it won’t be pretty.

Colton: So, what you’re saying is, you want us to meet you in the Greek Isles?

Halton: That’s what I read.

Easton: I don’t know, maybe we need Dex to chime in.

(Easton added Dexter to the conversation at 3:06pm)

Dexter: What’s going on now?

Ashton: Preston wants us to meet him in the Greek Isles.

Dexter: Really? I thought he was adamant about finally having alone time with Emory. Okay, hold on. Let me add Trevor. He is good at last-minute travel plans.

(Dexter added Trevor to the conversation at 3:15pm)

Dexter: Looks like we need last-minute bookings to the Greek Isles.

Trevor: Done. How many?

Preston: WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK! NO! NONONO! Do not set foot on the Isles, or I will castrate you all. Meet us in Italy as planned, do not fuck with my honeymoon. We have had too much shit happen in the last year. Do not fuck with me. I’m a man on the edge. I swear to God.

Colton: I’m confused.

Halton: Me too. Alright, gotta run. See you there soon!

Easton:See you tomorrow.

Preston: I will kill every single one of you. I’ve wanted to be an only child my entire life. I will make it happen if you don’t quit fucking with me.