“I know.” I smile tightly.
I didn’t check my phone until an hour after he left. The family has kept me distracted, and when he left, I was listening to a lively discussion about food. I didn’t question him. He alwayshas a good reason for every move, and I want to know what it was. Food was ordered and consumed. Some of the family left, but Issy and their mom haven’t left my side.
“I don’t feel well,” I mumble, and stand. “I need a minute.”
I move quickly to my bedroom, unlock the door, and escape inside, shutting it. Leaning against the wood, I press my hand to my stomach. Something is off. Ezra wouldn’t disappear without an explanation. If he’s off killing someone and it was taking too long, he would call in the middle of it to tell me he would be late. Perhaps it started out that way, but something unexpected happened. I cup the mark he left on my neck, and frown. I haven’t concentrated on his emotions since last night.
“Shit,” I gasp.
My head feels like it’s going to explode, and it takes a moment to realize it’s happening to my mate. He’s feeling pain, and it brings me to my knees. I use my hand to break my fall and land on Ezra’s bag. As fast as it happens, the pain disappears. What happened? Either it is over, or he isn’t awake, and that scares the shit out of me.
Something hard is underneath my hand, and I look down.
“Oh, mate.” I pull a mask out of his bag. He bought me a half mask studded with diamonds. I sit on my ass and hug it to my chest. If I can feel him, I can track him. Closing my eyes, I concentrate on my mark and the man I love. I ignore my pounding heart and the fear coursing through my body. He’s not close. The tie connecting us is stretched thin.
“Rylee.”
I jump. Heath. I can’t hide anything from him. Standing slowly, I reluctantly open the door. Everyone has left except Heath, Juliana, Haven, and her mates.
“What’s going on?” Haven asks.
“I think someone took Ezra.” Silence follows my statement. I was going to find him myself, but I wouldn’t have made it outof the apartment alone. Heath and Haven can read me easily. There is no way I could hide my emotions. With one hand, I push my hair away from my neck. “I can find him.” I tighten my fingers around the mask.
“He marked you,” he mumbles, stepping closer. “I thought I smelled a change in your scent.”
“No shit,” Haven gasps. “I thought it was his scent lingering.”
“I’m going,” I state, and turn. I need to change into something dark.
“Wait,” Heath hisses, grabbing my elbow. “I’m not going to let you go alone.”
“I can handle it,” I stress.
“That’s not the point. Ezra is family now. We all protect the family.” He releases me. “Can you feel his exact location?”
“I don’t—” I can’t concentrate. My panic is messing with me.
“Calm,” he says softly.
“Saying that never works,” Issy says dryly, but I can sense her worry.
“Rylee,” Alanna says, standing. “Why don’t you get dressed? Take a minute.”
“Right. Yes.” I shake my head, backing into my room, and shut the door.
I exhale shakily. Prying my fingers from the mask, I place it on the bed, along with my phone. I’m sure my thoughtful mate wanted to surprise me, but I’m going to wear it today. Rushing to my closet, I grab a pair of black pants and a long-sleeved black shirt. I strip where I stand, and jerk the clothes on. Bending over, I dig through my shoes and pick up some combat boots. I drop them on the floor on the way to the bathroom.
I gather my hair in a ponytail and exhale again. My eyes fill with tears as I stare into the mirror. I love him. He is everything to me. I touch his mark and close my eyes. He’s still here. I would feel it if they killed him. My head is sore, and I reach backto rub it. Someone hit him hard enough to incapacitate him. He must have been distracted. I’ve seen how skilled he is, so it was unexpected. I’m sure Ezra has enemies. The people he kills probably have families. Could one of them have found out about him? He’s always so careful.
Opening my eyes, I brush away the tears and return to my room. Hurrying, I sit down and put on my boots. I glance at his bag and pull it close. Ezra loves knives. I push his clothes out of the way and find a blade. As I stand, I remember my leg band. I can use it to attach it to my leg, and get it from the dresser, strapping it quickly.
I jump as my phone rings, and I lunge for the bed, hoping it’s Ezra. An unknown number flashes, and I answer hesitantly.
“Rylee?” a man asks.
“Yes?”
“I’m Shade. Ezra’s friend.”
