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“And afterward, if he doesn’t shoot the messenger, you could always come back here if you want a job,” I added.
Her breaths grew more panicked, and I waved my hand dismissively.
“Go on,” I told her. “Before I change my mind.”
She didn’t need to be told again, and her black tail zipped through the broken, open door.
By the time I turned back, Draven and Jake had morphed into their human forms. The pair wriggled into pants as they scanned the carnage in the suite.
I waited for one of them to question my actions, but neither did as they got to work cleaning up the mess.
“I guess it’s time to change rooms,” I mused dryly, and the others scoffed, but inside, I was fuming.
So Orson knew I was back in town, and this was his response. This unprovoked attack had angered me like never before, and I didn’t need five more days of sitting on my hands. My former lieutenant had solved my indecision for me.
I had to take out Orson now before he came after me again.
Chapter30
Abby
Itried calling Elijah’s phone several times in the night, hoping to warn him that the Verity Gang knew of his presence, but he never answered. All night long, I waited for Orson to break down my door and drag me off into the night to question me about Elijah, but that didn’t happen, either.
By the time dawn was about to break, I was going out of my mind, and I decided I had to go back to the hotel, even if Maisie was watching me.
Will Etta tell Orson what I told her?
I had hoped our friendship would trump the business, but I hadn’t accounted for her protectiveness of Orson. But Etta didn’t like conflict. She was constantly trying to keep the peace, inserting sunshine and rainbows when things got too heavy. It was true that Orson kept her out of the business, but a part of me believed that she also chose to remain oblivious.
Etta and Orson weren’t mates. They couldn’t be with Orson always trying to get in my pants.
But Elijah and I were mates, and I had to protect him from whatever was upcoming, even if there were eyes on me.
I was extra cautious leaving the house in the black pre-morning hours, keeping away from the light of the moon which waned, avoiding the main roads as I made my way back toward the Sandstone.
When I arrived, however, I was shocked to find dozens of guests milling outside in their nightclothes. Anxiety overcame me.
“What happened?” I asked an elderly human woman who appeared completely dazed.
“I can’t say for sure,” she admitted. “Alarm bells began blaring, and we were ordered to evacuate our rooms.”
My heart jumped into my windpipe, and I spun around wildly, looking for Elijah. One of his guards stood off to the side of the parking lot, a deadpan expression on his face.
What was this one’s name? Kevin? Darren?
“Hey!” I hissed, joining his side. “Where is Elijah? What’s going on?”
He peered at me blankly, but before he could respond, a strong arm snaked around my waist, and I instantly relaxed.
“What are you doing here?” Elijah growled. “It’s not safe for you here.”
I whirled around to stare at him.
“Since when?” I demanded, the blood draining from my face.
“Since Orson sent men in to attack,” Elijah growled. “And declared war on me.”
Etta told him already? Or did Maisie do something?
