Page 75 of While He Breathes

Max and Darius are hesitant to leave my office, but eventually walk out toward the spare bedroom that’s never been used. I almost forgot it existed if I’m honest, but I’m suddenly glad for it because there’s no way they’d be leaving to stay in a hotel.

Killian eases into the seat beside me, the couch dipping under his bulk as he rests his head back, staring up at the ceiling. “I’m sorry we haven’t found her yet. But we will. Ember is a fighter. She’s always been a fighter, and that hasn’t changed.”

“They could be doing anything to her right now, Killian. Every time I close my eyes, my mind is filled with the most disgusting things you can imagine, and she’s at the center of all of them.”

“Don’t think like that. She needs you to keep it together, just as you need her to do the same. You may not be together right now, but you’re a team. A dysfunctional team for sure, but still a team.”

A rough chuckle falls from my lips before all humor drains from me. “I thought he would have reached out by now, to taunt us at the very least. But he’s gone quiet. There’s been no sign of him or anyone who works for him directly.”

“It’s the middle of the night. Maybe they’re sleeping.”

“If they were normal people, sure. But they’re criminals. Lucas’s main legitimate business is a strip club he spends all his nights at. There’s no way that motherfucker sleeps while the sun is down.”

Killian considers me for a long moment. “Maybe they’re traveling? It would be stupid of him to stay in the city, because we have a never-ending number of resources at our disposal. Maybe he got her out of dodge while he could.”

“Maybe.” But it doesn’t feel right.

At this point, everything is a game to Lucas.

He always wanted Ember, but he also wants to take me down, and if I had to guess, I’d say he’s going to try to take both things at the same time. I just can’t quite figure out how.

“I’m going to get a few hours of shut-eye,” Killian tells me as he pushes himself to his feet. “I’ll let you know if the teams find anything.”

“Are you going down to your place?”

He shakes his head. “I’ll crash on the couch. Just in case.”

“Thank you. For everything.”

The tips of his lips turn up, and he nods. “I know you’d do the same if someone I loved was missing.”

“You finally admitting there might be a woman out there that could bring you to your knees?”

For the first time, he doesn’t immediately dismiss the idea.

Instead, he walks out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a night full of nightmares.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

EMBER

Imust fall asleep again, because I’m woken with a start as the heavy door opens, dragging along the concrete floor so loudly I have to cover my ears.

All my senses are heightened right now, and the sound makes my skin crawl.

“Ah, she’s awake,” Lucas says, stepping into the room with a smug smirk.

Asshole.

“What the fuck is this, Lucas?” I ask, but keep my voice even. Picking a fight with my captor when I have no idea where I am or how many people he has out there is a terrible idea, and not one I feel like executing right now.

“This is your new home,” he tells me as the door slams shut, locking us both inside.

“Where are we?”

“Why would I tell you that?”

I sigh. “Why wouldn’t you? It’s not like I can use the information for anything. You have me locked up, and I may be a lot of things, but a master escape artist is not one of them.”