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"My father used to have one similar," he said, looking back at the building. "It's interesting that they would have one in a place filled with people they can'ttrust."
We slid into the car and he cranked the engine. Surprisingly, for an older car, it purred to life with very little sound. I wondered if this was maybe one of the cars the guys had brought with them. Perhaps something Bellamy had workedon?
I shook my head and focused back on the idea of the gun case. "It was in a locked office," I pointed out, buckling in and turning to look at Grayson from across the console. "It wasn't like just anyone could get toit."
He backed out and turned onto the street but remained silent. I sighed and turned back to the window. I jumped when something buzzed under my butt and reached under my leg, digging my phone out. I gaped at the screen. Seventeen missed calls from all of the guys. Over fifty text messages and counting. I groaned, sliding to the missed calls. Knix was the last one to call, so he was the first one I called back. I put the phone to my ear and winced as heanswered.
"Where the hell are you? Are you okay?" he snapped. "And where isGrayson?"
"I'm fine," I immediately replied. "We're both fine. I'm with Grayson." I took a peek in his direction, but he didn’t look atme.
"Where?" Knixrepeated.
"We just left the Rehabcenter—"
"We're on our way, meet us in the parking lot of Hamricks," Knix said, cutting meoff.
"O-Okay." I relayed the information to Grayson, who nodded briefly but otherwise stayed quiet. I narrowed my eyes at him. "We'll be there soon," I said toKnix.
"Good." He didn't say anything more—not even a goodbye—before he hung up. Fuck. He was pissed. I'd never seen Knix pissed—not like thisanyway.
I groaned, resting my head back on the seat and staring out the window as empty streets passed by. Minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot of Hamricks and got out. Headlights sped around the corner and an SUV that I recognized came to a shrieking halt several feet away from the sedan. Nervously, I glanced over to Grayson, but he was as stone-faced as ever. The driver's side and passenger side door of the SUV popped open and Bellamy and Knix all but jumped out. Bellamy slammed his door behind him, but Knix left his open. I cringed as they rushed over to meet us. Instead of leaping right into a dressing down—Knix lifted me off my feet and held me to his chest. I blinked and looked down, dangling my legs around hisknees.
"Hey..." I started, hesitantly wrapping my arms around him as best Icould.
"We were so fucking worried about you, Little Bit," he said in a rush of breath that blew several strands of my hair away from myface.
I sighed into his chest, laying my head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," Iwhispered.
After a moment, Knix finally put me down, passing me to Bellamy, who swept me into his arms. "What were you thinking, Sweetheart?" hechastised.
"I couldn't let him go alone," I said, hugging himback.
Bellamy shook his head against me, his hair brushing against my hot cheeks. I ran my fingers through the dark waves and lifted them to my face as I held him. He smelled like soap and cinnamon—just like Bellamy. I sighed and snuggled closer. Now that all the adrenaline had passed through me, my body was catching up with the time and I wasexhausted.
"—thinking!" I looked up as Knix's voice rose above the quiet whisperings between Bellamy andme.
Grayson stood quietly to the side as Knix towered over him, his chest heaving, and his cheeks flushed with anger. I had never seen him so worked up. Knix actually looked like he might take a swing at Grayson if he said the wrong thing. And Grayson must have realized it because he wasn't replying in his usual manner. He wasn't being defiant or rude or condescending or a smartass or anything. That...was actually kind of worryingme.
Bellamy pulled me away, towards the passenger side of the SUV and I looked around as he did. "Where are the others?" I asked. Texas and Marv had called and texted as well, but I hadn't let myself check thoseyet.
"Marv went to your dorm," Bellamy answered. "We were hoping to catch you before you left. Texas is back withJosh."
I bit my lip. "I'm sorry I worried youguys."
"You should be," Bellamy said sharply. I winced at his tone and he softened with a slow breath. "With everything going on, Sweetheart, we just didn't want anything to happen toyou."
I nodded. "I know, but I knew he'd go with or without me and I didn't want him to go alone. He needed back up. He's part of theteam."
Bellamy's eyes narrowed as he looked back over his shoulder towards Grayson before his gaze found mine again. "Harlow," he started, "Grayson isn'tIris."
"But heisthis time," I argued. "At least for now—for this mission. And we don't let teammates go withoutbackup."
I shook my head hard, glaring up at him. I didn't care that his dark coffee eyes were beautiful, and the worry was still etched into his features. Yes, it made me feel bad that I had worried them. But I had sent that text to warn them. Because if we were going to be a team then I needed to follow their example. I needed to be as honest with them as they were with each other and they needed to be honest with me too. Before I could open my mouth and unleash all of my fury and self-righteousness, however, Knix appeared at my side, startlingme.
"Bell, go with Caruso," he ordered, his eyes dark. "Make sure he gets back to thehouse."
Just before Bellamy left, Knix grabbed his arm. "And no fighting. I don't care what he's done. I don't care if you're pissed—I know you have every right to be, but he doesn't get the Iris way. Remember that. He never got a chance. They're okay. Focus on that, and just let the rest settle for tonight. I'm sure they're bothtired."
