A tantalizing treasure I was never worthy of touching, but if I didn’t, it made me feel like I might be facing down death.
No matter what I did, I wasn’t going to win.
Blowing out a sigh, I studied the hood a little closer. Tracing the defined lines with my eyes.
Deciding I was happy with the results of the first coat, I tossed the mask aside, shucked off my gloves, then pulled open the door and strode out into the main part of the shop.
Heavy metal blared from the speakers, and five of my guys were head down and absorbed in their tasks, the sound of high-pitched power tools becoming one with the deafening beat.
Didn’t know what it was, but the guard I always wore sharpened.
Prickles that shot down my spine in spikes of awareness.
My heart started to thump.
Hard and manic.
My gaze jumped to the open bays, scanning quick. As quick as my boots carried me that way.
“Where’s Pearce?” I shouted as I tore through the shop.
Pearce was the prospect I’d put on guard at the lobby door.
Dice hiked a shoulder, his arms lifted above his head as he worked below a Toyota on a lift. “Dunno, Prez. Probably off somewhere stealing himself a piece of ass.”
That was all it took to have Trevan whirling around and tossing his drill, instantly picking up on the turmoil that whipped me into a squall.
I did my best to keep my cool. A wasted effort since I immediately felt like I was being burned at the stake.
That’s exactly what it felt like when I realized there was a car parked in front that hadn’t been there before.
A gold, metallic sedan.
The same car that had been in that lot.
Dread spiraled through the middle of me. A slick of alarm so thick that I nearly tripped on it.
“Fuck,” heaved out from my throat before I was shouting, “Trespasser!”
It was the one word that would have everyone within earshot on their feet and armed in a flash.
“Lobby, now!” I commanded as I whipped my gun from the holster hidden inside my coveralls, guts a riot as I edged for the interior door.
I wanted to go barreling in, but I needed to be prepared. Do this the right way. There was no room for mistakes.
Trevan was right behind me, his own gun drawn.
Aggression cracked on his clenched teeth, though he was giving me his steadying voice the way he always did. “Careful, Prez.”
I felt Phoenix move, a roil of darkness that coasted from the shop like a wraith, followed by Colby and Dice who ran out of a bay to head off the front door.
My men were trained like soldiers, knowing exactly what to do when evil came calling.
“Brinley’s in there.” It ground off my tongue.
I didn’t even realize I said it aloud until Trevan mumbled, “Know it, man. We’ll get her. Just keep your cool and don’t do anything rash.”
But there was no cool to be had.
