Page 87 of Fighting My Demons

"We are bringing this box," Xavier says, grabbing it and shaking it, and I raise an eyebrow at him before walking over to it as he sets back down on the bed. My face heats.

"Buzz buzz," he laughs, and I roll my eyes that he’s found my box of toys; I have even forgotten I still had those.

"Leave her alone," Latham says.

My phone gets a message, and it vibrates in my pocket; I pull it from my back pocket and unlock it. It is Jack.

"I need to settle my rent and fill out my bond paperwork. Will you be right to keep going while I duck down to the front office?" I ask while skimming my eyes over the message, and Latham sighs.

"Yes, straight there and back," Latham says, and I nod.

"And we aren't bringing that box," I tell Xavier.

“Oh yes, we are,” he calls out, and I smile while walking out of the room. I grab my handbag off the counter and head for the door, double-checking I have my wallet.

"Where are you going?" Blaine calls out as I twist the door handle.

"Pay out my last week's rent and fill out bond details for Jack," I tell him, and he nods before wrapping my jewelry box and sitting in the box before closing it.

"Be quick. The movers will be here soon," Blaine says, and I nod, walking out and shutting the door.

The moment I step outside, I cringe at the extreme heat of the day. Digging through my handbag, I adjust the strap on my shoulder. My bag is digging into my shoulder from the weight of my books. I rummage and find my wallet, pulling it out. I walk down the steps and quickly jog over to the small office, wanting out of this horrid heat.

The bell sounds as I step in, relieved to find the air conditioning on, turning to shut the door before opening my wallet.

"Hey, Jack!” I call, turning around.

Only Jack isn't in here. He’s just messaged, saying he is here waiting for me. I call out to him but get no answer. Looking toward the back office door, which is open, I peer over the foyer desk to see a pair of feet.

"Jack?" I call, but he doesn't move.

"Shit!" I gasp, racing around to the other side, hoping he hasn't had a heart attack.

I stop dead in my tracks when I notice the pool of blood underneath the desk. Jack's vacant eyes are peering up underneath, his throat slashed. It is a gruesome sight to stumble upon. My lip quivers, and my heart races. Taking a step back, I go to race out of the office, only to turn around and smack into a hard chest, making me stumble back when a pair of hands grips my arms.

"Hey, love."

Tank smiles, his eyes glistening before flickering and turning obsidian.

"Miss me?" he says, smiling sadistically.

"Tank?" I gasp as I try to get out of his forceful grip. He grabs me and spins me before putting a cloth over my nose and mouth before I even scream for help. The fumes are suffocating me. Chloroform! The room revolves around me, and my body goes limp in his arms. His laughter echoes in my ears loudly as everything goes black.

Chapter Fifty-Two

Latham

We have been so distracted with packing everything, it’s not until a feeling of unease settles over me that I notice Bella hasn’t returned. Stopping, I look over at Xavier, who is having way too much fun playing with her panties and her box of toys instead of actually helping. At that moment, I realize I also can’t feel her through the bond. Dropping the contents of the drawer into a box, I stop.

“How long ago did Bella go to the office?” I ask, and Xavier stops his playing around and looks at me.

“She isn’t back?” Xavier says as I wander into the living room.

Blaine has packed the entire room, including the kitchen.

“Wait. Can you feel her?” Xavier asks, and I shake my head.

“But I removed the taint. He couldn’t have found her,” Xavier says, looking at me.