Izzy gives me a smile. “Great performance as always, Darius. I’m surprised the two of you decided to go that far with the fake dating.”
I run a hand along the back of my neck and clear my throat; I don’t want to show her the impatience working its way through me. It’s hard to keep my focus on her comment when my mind is centered on Raina… Is Izzy trying to call me out, or does she think I discussed the kiss with Raina ahead of time? I can’t work it out, so I go with vague. “Uh, yeah. Is she in there?”
Izzy is a powerhouse, someone I’d love to discuss strategies with, but the small talk is killing me right now.
“No, she isn’t. I was making sure the man waiting inside wasn’t some crazed fan.” Izzy gives me a puzzled frown as she waves a hand at the door. Good to know Tristan is in there, but that doesn’t explain where Raina went. “Didn’t you just get off stage?”
“Yeah, we did.” I’m already turning and rushing down the hall halfway through my answer. She must’ve made a wrong turn. It’s the only explanation. But what scares me is the dread burning deep in my stomach.
I retrace my steps, ducking my head into rooms as I go, making sure she isn’t with them until I find a door that seems like it leads to a main hallway that’s locked.
Straining to hear on the other side, the sound of scuffling and a muted cry for help barely reaches me.
An electric shock of adrenaline shoots through my body, forcing me into action without another thought. Somehow I know it’s Raina. It has to be with the gut feeling nagging at me. It might’ve been a while since I’ve played rugby, but my rusty skills will still serve me well when tackling this door open.
I back up as far as I can, giving me as much of a running start as I can, and push off, leaning my shoulder toward the flat surface. The impact reverberates through me, a dull thud as thedoor stubbornly holds. My shoulder throbs with the force of it, but I can’t stop. Not when Raina could potentially be in danger.
“Raina!” I call out, hoping she hears me, praying that whoever has her doesn’t realize they’re at risk of being discovered. Or maybe he should realize and try to escape. Yes, that’s a better outcome.
Tiny needles prickle the flat of my hand as I smack the door, wanting to reach through and pull her to safety. To wrap my arms around her and protect my girl from whatever is happening.
Silence answers me, not even a sound of her struggle, sending me into a deeper panic. The dread swirling in my gut intensifies, growing into a living, gnawing thing. I can’t shake the image of Mr. Lexington attempting to distract us from following her.
Is this why? He knew she’d be attacked?
An innocent, hopeful part of myself tries to convince me that it’s not Raina on the other side of this thin barrier, but I know better. I sense her soul fading. Lifting from her body and preparing to depart this world.
Ignoring my protesting shoulder, I throw myself at the door again. This time, there’s a splintering sound, and the lock shudders under my weight. A surge of triumph flows through me even as I stumble forward, nearly falling to my knees as the barrier gives way.
My breath hitches as I take in the sight before me; Raina, her petite frame pinned against the floor by an unfamiliar man who’s too large for her to fight off. Agony shreds through me like glass exploding inside my chest. The scene before me is nothing short of a nightmare from the deepest pits of hell.
Raina. My Raina, her costume torn and disheveled, lifeless beneath the weight of a man who clearly has no concept of human decency. His hands squeeze around her neck, and she’s not moving. Not even a breath.
“Get away from her!” The words burst from me like a roar. Fear tugs at the edges of my consciousness but it’s quickly smothered underneath a blazing wave of rage. I leap forward, lunging towards her assailant who looks up to meet my gaze, his eyes cold and emotionless. My fist collides with his face, knocking him backward and away from Raina. He scrabbles to get up, a snarl twisting his features into a grotesque mask of violence.
“I suppose I’m getting paid enough to turn this into a two for one,” he hisses. The man reaches down to his leg, drawing out a dark and twisted blade that seems almost alive. The edges are jagged and sharp, glinting in the light like a thousand teeth.
It’s a blade meant to strike terror into anyone who faces the wrong side of it.
Which is me.
I’m on the wrong side of his blade…
And I’m man enough to admit I don’t have the skills to defend myself against it.
What I do have is adrenaline. Grit. Fury.
“Security,” I shout at the top of my lungs. I also have backup on the way. At least I hope I do…
My hands curl into tight fists at my sides, and the man grins, taking it as a challenge. The knife twirls in his hand with practiced ease, showing he’s ready to use it. It only fuels my determination. I’ll do anything to protect Raina.
My eyes flicker to her; her eyes are closed, face ashen, chest unmoving. She needs help—now. Not after I’ve dueled with this psycho.
As if sent from the heavens above, the sound of an angel rings from behind me. “Darius.” Keaton’s voice cuts through the tension. He’s panting, as if he ran here from the other side of the planet.
The cold eyes of the man in front of me dart to Keaton, back to me, then to Raina, weighing his options. His hand dips into his pocket, revealing a small button. With a press, a pop sounds from the outside of the exterior door, and he slowly walks backward until he’s escaping. As much as I hate the idea of him getting away, I know Raina needs my help more.
Keaton runs to us, his concern mirroring my own. “You got her?” he asks, his voice gruff with emotion.
