“Appreciate it, Pres.”
“There’s more to consider. The witches aren’t worried, but they won’t like it when they hear about the missing kid. I don’t want more bullshit. No more fucking bodies,” Scythe spits, reaching for his phone as it begins to ring.
He’s the only one besides Mountain who checks it during church. As the president and VP, they’re the two most important people in the club.
Scythe answers the call, which means it’s his ol’ lady Lottie, his dad, Hangman, or Boomer. “Yeah?” I see him tap with speaker button.
“We got a situation, brother.”
Everyone in the room snaps to alert. Something is wrong. I feel it before Boomer speaks another word.
“Tell me,” Scythe orders. Even with his brother, he doesn’t hesitate to be the leader this club needs. It passed from Hangman to Scythe, and Boomer became sheriff. The Madden family controls Raven’s Crest.
Along with the witches.
Or maybe they just let us think so since we’re fucking cursed.
“There’s been another murder.”
Fuck!
“Who?” Scythe growls.
“Madam Serena. Natalya Scott went to see her, and someone fucking threw a knife and stabbed the old woman. Blade cut through the tent and went right into her back during Nat’s palm reading.”
“Fucking hell,” Scythe says as he drops his phone on the table.
The fact that Boomer is calling Natalya by her nickname pisses me off. It implies a familiarity with the woman I’m interested in. But that’s not what I’m concerned about.
I shoot to my feet. “Is Nat okay?”
“No. She’s fucking terrified, Hayride. I need someone here to help with her while I handle the body.”
Scythe meets my gaze. “Go.”
I’m out of the room before anyone else says a word, running through the bar and outside to my bike. My ass lands on the seat, and I start the engine, sending gravel flying behind my back tire as I skid on my way out of the gate. The prospect barely had time to open it when he saw me riding toward him.
I don’t remember the ride back to the center of town. When I park in front of the sheriff’s office, I see Boomer talking to Nat. She’s in shock. I can tell by the glazed look in her eyes as she holds a mug and how pale she’s gotten.
Boomer opens the door as I rush inside, going straight to Nat. I take the mug from her hands and place it on the nearest surface before I haul her into my arms. The second I do, she collapses against me, held up by my strength alone.
She’s cold. Her whole body is chilled, trembling with such force I worry she needs to see a doctor, but I know it’s the shock doing it to her. Her mind is locked away from me as she mumbles words I don’t understand. I feel her fingers curl around my shirt, and I tighten my hold, hoping some of my warmth will seep into her skin.
It takes a few minutes, but I feel her warm up, the tension in her body slowly fading. Her cheek rests over my heart, and something inside me shifts, opening to this woman, but also latching onto her in a fierce way.
Like she’s mine.
Like I’ll do anything to keep her safe.
She’s not going back to the Hanging Tree. I won’t let her, not after Madam Serena’s murder. Nat might be a target now. She doesn’t realize it, but everything is different.
She needs to be in a safe house. The only place worthy is The Barn. To be specific, my room. She’ll just have to accept it.
I don’t tell her all of this while she’s struggling with the aftermath of trauma. Later, when she’s calm, I’ll explain.
“I’m staying with you for the night.”
She surprises me when she answers without hesitation. “Okay.”
