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I gasped.
Thomas looked across to where I hurried next to him. “Shit, Emmy. I’m so fucking sorry. That was uncalled for. He’ll be fine. They’ll be fine. I will sort this. I promise.”
I swallowed down the sob that was trying to force its way out.
“Boss, I remember her. The girl. I’ve seen her with the band. She’s just got one of those forgettable faces you can’t place.”
Suddenly, it all made sense.Someone in the band’s inner circle leaking things, going unnoticed, under the radar, listening in without ever being spotted. I mean, who would ever question her? Shy, afraid, everywhere but nowhere.
“It’s Rylee,” I cried. “This is all Rylee. It has to be. She has Tanner and Frankie. We have to find her.”
Out of nowhere, a gunshot echoed through the busy building, silencing the noise of everyone around us.
“Noah, pull the fire alarms and get everyone out. Now! I want you to have eyes on the band and Addi. Do not, and I mean not, for a fucking second, let them leave your sight or I will shoot you myself when this is over. Do I make myself clear?”
“Boss.”
“Emmy, go with them.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m coming. I can talk to her. I can help.”
“Or you could put yourself and them in more danger.” Another gunshot rang out. “Go, Emmy. Now!”
Instead of listening, I did the only thing I could. I kicked off my shoes, and I ran.
“Emmy, what the fuck?” Thomas spat out as he chased after me, as I ran to where Noah had last seen Tanner.
“Give me a gun,” I whispered to Thomas when he caught up beside me.
“Fuck no. Never. Have you ever used one before?”
“No.”
“Well then, you with a gun won’t help us. Which of these rooms are they in, Emmy?”
I knew Tanner’s was the third one from the end because he’d pulled me in there earlier before he went on stage, pushing me against the door and slipping his hand below my waistband while he sunk his fingers into me until I came. I pointed at the door, and Thomas nodded. He turned to Matt, and they communicated in silence, using hand gestures to form a plan before Thomas moved to the door.
That’s when I heard her.Rylee.
“Poor, poor Tanner. That’s quite a mix you’ve got there. Quite the cocktail. Are you feeling it? The rush, the buzz? Does it feel good? Have you missed it? That’s five down, one more to go. One more drink, one more person saved. Was it worth it? Risking yourself for them?”
“Always,” Tanner replied, his voice sounding strange.Strangled? Slurred? Scared?
Thomas and Matt continued their silent conversation, but I couldn’t wait. I could hear it in his voice. Whatever she was doing, he was drowning, and I refused to let him go under. I moved silently, hoping Thomas didn’t notice, knowing the possibilities that might be waiting for me, but not caring.
I used the keycard Tanner had given me earlier to unlock the door before I pushed it open, slipping inside.
“Emmy, no,” Thomas groaned out as I closed the door behind me, shutting them both outside.
And that’s when I saw it all. Rob with a bullet to the head. Rylee was across the room from Tanner, a gun pointed at him while he sat slumped in a chair. A tray set next to him on the table with five empty shot glasses and two full ones. His eyes glazed and hooded, staring blankly at the wall across from him.
His eyes flicked up to find mine and a look of horror spread across his face.
“Emmy, no, no, no!”
He reached for the remaining drinks frantically. “Don’t, Rylee, please, don’t,” he slurred out before he downed another one, dropping the glass as he retched and vomited on the floor next to him.
I heard her cackle as she shifted the gun in my direction. I didn’t care about any of it. The danger, the risk. None of it mattered if I lost him.
