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“The asshole you were with—” Sawyer’s words cut off with the sound of an alarm, the screeching noise shocking my ears. But none of the Bella Crew falls. They manage to stand upright while the few guests lingering drop to their knees.
“Come on. We gotta go.” Monroe points his bloody blade at the entrance. “Security at the town wall will only be down for two minutes.”
Shit.
The three of them form a protective circle around me with Monroe leading the way and Sawyer by my side as Knox carries me. I cling onto him as if he’s the only thing keeping me from losing my shit, and they race at vampire speed toward the entrance. Cool night air wafts around us, and I inhale a deep breath. The hotel and casino’s air is stale. It smells like cigarettes and something grosser.
I peer over Knox’s shoulder, keeping my eyes trained on the building. It’s whimsical in a way with its fake towers that are supposed to look like some ancient storybook castle.
“I’ll go ahead and make sure the gate is clear,” Monroe says, peeking over his shoulder.
“No. Don’t leave.” I bite my lip with my plea, but I’m terrified if he runs ahead and leaves us that I might never see him again. This place is not La Vega. They have no allies here.
“You got it, little bird. I’m never leaving you again if I can help it. We are stronger together, right?” Monroe keeps his voice low, but he carries enough lightness to lift my mood.
“Right.” I don’t feel the truth of the word, despite knowing it’s real. The Bella Crew is stronger together, and being here proves it. They left La Vega for me. They managed to get into The Whiskey. How? I don’t even care.
The looming fence bordering the small desert town comes into view, and I dig my nails into Knox’s shoulders, twisting to see a car parked right outside as if they just happened to stroll right in.
“Almost there, vixen. Hang tight. It’s going to get messy.” Knox unholsters a gun from his belt and aims it toward the fence.
He pulls the trigger, sending a loud pop ringing in my ears. I hadn’t seen the shadowy figure until the second the vampire screamed out. It doesn’t stop the man for long, and my guys close in tighter around me as more gunfire showers the night.
“Head east. We have to sneak up on the side. We’re too open here.” Knox whacks his hand into Monroe’s side, getting him to follow his directions. “I don’t want to risk Hayley getting shot because you aren’t fazed by bullets, fuckhead.”
“He’s right.” Sawyer takes the lead and runs east, heading to the chain-link fence surrounding the property.
Electricity hums and crackles, and I’m nearly certain that I wouldn’t have been able to hear it before Lawrence bit me with his venom.
I clutch onto Knox tighter, inhaling the sweet scent of his skin. It’s the only thing keeping my heart from escaping my chest. Fear radiates through my entire body, more so than I have ever experienced in my life. Even facing Alexander in a rage wasn’t as scary as not knowing whether we’ll make it out of here.
“Almost there, Hayley,” Knox whispers, his voice tickling my skin. He presses his lips to my head and tries to reassure me with a kiss.
It’s as if he knows what’s swirling through my head and can sense how frightened I am. I’m trying not to be, but I can’t help it. I feel so much safer with the Bella Crew that I know I don’t have to be as strong or brave or as capable as I would have to be alone.
I hate the thought of being alone and without them again.
Fuck, please. Please, universe, let us get out of here. I just want to go back to La Vega.
“I’ll take care of the security. Knox, take her straight to the car. We’ll catch up. I want you to fucking get driving immediately. We’ll make sure no one follows us, and you can swing back around and pick us up at the rendezvous point.” Monroe slows down only a little to be by my side. “Be good for Knox, little bird.”
With a kiss to my cheek, Monroe abandons us, zooming ahead. Sawyer touches my chin with a smile and races to catch up to Monroe, leaving me and Knox behind.
Gunshots and growls sound through the air, setting off my fear instincts even more. I wish we could go in a different direction. I wish we didn’t have to face anyone else at all. I’m just so tired of worrying about being hurt or caught or imprisoned. I just want to live without pain and torment. I never knew that it would be too much to ask.
“I’m going to put you on my back, so I can free my arms to fight. Is that okay?” Knox asks, rubbing his hand over my shoulder.
I slowly nod my head.
Flipping me over his shoulder, Knox repositions me to cling onto his back. I squeeze his torso between my thighs and lock my ankles around his stomach, ensuring that I won’t fall.
He picks up his speed, blurring the world around me. I spot the bright lights of the exit leaving the community, and I puff a breath through my lips. This is too unreal. It’s too easy. There’s no way that Lawrence would rely on just security to keep threats in or out.
And then I feel it.
The metal collar around my throat vibrates just hard enough to startle me. I nearly lose my grip on Knox. It’s been programmed to shock me if I try to leave. I know it. Lawrence is a smart man. He wouldn’t risk losing me after going through the effort to bring me here. Cooper said it himself. If I’m here, Lawrence has already won.
“Knox, stop.” The words barely come out of my mouth as the vibration intensifies in the collar.
