“Don’t,” Malik forced out, beads of sweat gathering over his brows.
“Your fox is mouthy,” Samir said to Malik.
“Mouthy?” Indy huffed. “Your goons dragged us here, not the other way around, and now you’re playing torture the cheetah and you expect me to sit on my damn thumb and do nothing?”
Technically Indy hadn’t been dragged here, but that wasn’t the point. “I’m a florist. I can make funeral arrangements that’ll have people complimenting your corpse.”
Holy hell. Indy has truly lost his mind, but he couldn’t seem to shut his mouth.
A slow smile curled Samir’s lips, eyes smug with enjoyment. “I tell you what. I’ll give Malik two days to bring me the money.”
Indy damn near sagged with relief.
“You’ll stay here, as incentive, so he doesn’t run again.”
I really need to learn when to keep my mouth shut.
Samir’s grin widened. “I’m really hoping Malik fails, little fox.”
And Indy prayed Malik didn’t.
Chapter Nine
Malik somehow found himself standing in front of the black lake, located across the street from the demon warriors apartment building.
He glanced around, getting his bearings, but knew he couldn’t waste time.
Indy needed him.
When he screwed up, it was catastrophic. At the time he’d placed the bet, it had been just him, so Malik hadn’t thought that far ahead.
But now his mate was involved, in Samir’s clutches, and Malik needed help, fast.
Malik was never going to forgive himself for putting Indy in harm’s way. It hadn’t been intentional, but this was still his fault.
He dove into the black lake, the water remaining still, as Malik thought of his destination.
Take me to my team.
They might not have thought of a plan before, but Malik needed them to come up with one now.
He hit the ground and felt wet grass under his palms, knees, and one cheek, the cold seeping through his shirt. His ears were ringing and his vision took two seconds to settle. Home. His yard. The unlit string lights confirmed it.
Adrenaline surged through him as he launched toward the house, sprinting across the lawn. He hit the deck at full speed, shouldered through the back door with such force that it slammed against the wall with a splintering crack.
Malik didn’t stop until he reached the living room. Grayson, Colton, and Reese shot from their seats like they were being invaded.
“They took him,” Malik ground out. Every muscle in his body was coiled, jaw clenched. “The demons. They broke in and grabbed us both. Indy’s still trapped with them.”
“Where do they have him?” Grayson asked in his infuriatingly calm voice. Malik didn’t need calm. He needed them just as unhinged as he felt.
“Samir’s house.” Malik had been so fucking stupid allowing the demons to get the drop on him, knowing they used shadows to travel. He’d basically left the front door unlocked for the assholes to walk right in. “Demon realm. Cozy street, green trim, wraparound porch. Samir’s running it all. He wants the ten grand, but… I don’t think the money matters.”
Even though Malik had only met Samir once before tonight, his gut told him it wasn’t about his debt. The demon wanted to make an example of him.
And he would use Indy to deliver that lesson.
They listened as Malik explained what happened, Colton and Reese grabbing weapons as he talked. Grayson called Zeppelin, alpha of the wolf pack in Crimson Hollow, asking for men to watch their mates as Malik rescued his.
