Page 185 of Barinov

“Jackass,” Ty snaps, sipping a whiskey from his seat at the crystal bar. “He doesn’t have two inches on me.”

Luca leans in and whispers something into Bella’s ear. She gives him a small nod. He slides his hand up her spine and grips her neck, pulling her in for a deep and disgusting kiss.

“Fucker,” Ty grits as he shoves off the the bar.

“Don’t react,” I order, even though I’m about to lose my shit.

Bella gently untangles their mouths and places her fingers on Luca’s cheek. He takes her hand and presses his lips to the back of it. Luca offers Brett a seat at their table. Bella smiles at them both faintly before walking off.

“Ty,” I say. “You’re up.”

Ty sets his drink down and strides toward her.

“Caleb, get to that room,” Nate orders.

I set my champagne down and slip back into the house. I’m only in the guest room past the kitchen long enough to toss my mask on the bed before the door creaks open.

“Caleb?” Bella breathes, her mask clattering to the floor when she sees me.

I close the distance in a few strides and haul her into me. One arm locking around her waist and the other cupping the back of her head, holding her steady as she starts to quake.

“Shh, B,” I hush. “It’s gonna be alright.”

She pulls back, her eyes streaked with tears. “W-what’s happening?”

I take her by the hand and guide her to the edge of the bed. “Sit down. We need to talk.”

She sinks down onto the mattress.

“Zeke got that message to Knox,” I explain, crouching in front of her. I reach out, my fingers grazing the cold, black-and-white metal collar clamped around her neck. “He’s workin’ on these. Won’t be long now, hun.”

She sniffles, her chest hitching. “How long?”

“Tell her that once I get the—”

“You tell her.”

“What?”

I rip my phone out, thumb through some contacts, and hit call.

“Hello?”

“Knox, you’re on speaker.”

Bella’s eyes widen. “Knox!” she cries, snatching the phone out of my grip. “Knox are you here?”

“Hey babe,” he replies, his voice calm. “I’m not there, there… but we’re close by.”

“W-we?” she asks, her voice trembling. “Who is we?”

“Just me and Nate.” I can hear the strain in his voice as he lies to her. “We’ve got the van parked a few blocks down the road.”

She nods frantically, swiping a stray tear off her cheek. “How long is it going to take to get us out of here?”

“I need you to listen to me, Bells,” he begins, his tone shifting into something more clinical. “Really listen to me, okay?”

“Okay,” she whispers, her steel eyes wet when they lock onto me.