“Come on, crybaby,” Jude says.
“Fuck off.” I follow Jude down the back hallway into Lux’s office.
“Sit,” Jude orders.
I choose to stand just to be an asshole.
“Fucker, sit down,” Jude directs. He pulls the first aid bag from a cabinet and sits it down the edge of Lux’s desk. Taking supplies out, he eyes me again. “This may sting a little,” he says opening the bottle of alcohol and squirting the contents onto a cotton ball. He places against my skin and dabs at the wound.
I take a swig from the whiskey bottle. “I’m telling ya, I don’t need this. I was fine.”
“Man, stop being such a pussy. Sit there and drink your whiskey.”
“Sure thing, Teach.”
“You’re kind of a dick.”
“Today, I am.”
He slides on a pair of gloves and goes to stitching me up. I know he’s going to enjoy this. I wince every so often as he drives a needle through the flesh above my eye. One good thing about Jude, his time in the military prepared him for shit like this and if I keep having accidents like this one; the DLMC is going to need more Jack Daniels or worker’s compensation.
In ten minutes, Jude sets the needle down on the desk and pulls off the gloves. “Done.”
“Thanks.” I take the bottle, hold it against my forehead, and go back out to the bar. Everyone is still huddled around, waiting for what, I’m not sure.
Lux turns in my direction, his face contorting in a way I don’t quite recognize.
“What?” I ask, taking my barstool back.
“I’m not so sure this is a good idea, you going out on this run blind.”
I tap my temple with my finger. “Lux, I can hear her, feel her, and apparently, the link is getting stronger because I’ve never felt that kind of pain. If that was something she was experiencing, then whoever has her is trying to harm her or worse, kill her. She’s my mate, bro.”
Lux lets out a breath. “My job as President of the DLMC is to protect my family. I don’t like this, Salvation, but if you feel that this woman is your mate - a part of you, then I can’t order you not to go.”
I grip his arm. “Man, I don’t know what I’m walking into. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but if this was you or Jude or Ridge, you would do the exact same thing I’m doing.”
“We would,” Ridge agrees. He would push hell further into hell to get to Andi if she needed him. Jude, Jude would blow shit up to get to Sharayah. I mean, he bit her to save her life.
“I just want you to be careful, man, that’s all,” Lux says.
“I know. I got this.”
“Maybe you should take someone with you,” Andi suggests.
“No, babe. This is my fight.”
Andi’s eyes narrow at me. “Salvation, you can’t just go off to the middle of God knows where looking for, who? Some chick who’s stalking your mind?”
“Andi, I’m gonna be fine, doll. I promise.”
Sharayah steps out from behind Jude and wraps her arms around my neck. “Please stay safe.”
I give her a half-hearted smile. “Don’t worry,” I say, knowing that’s easier said than done.
54
Maximus “Max”
My head swims and my body is covered in sweat. I feel clammy and gross. I’m still restrained to this fucking cot. Jim and Genocide left me here when that dose of adrenaline didn’t accomplish what they wanted it to – me changing into the animal they think I am. If I were an animal, the second they cut me loose, I’d be ripping them apart.
I glance around the dimly lit room, my eyes darting from the door to the four corners, to the cold concrete walls. I feel them closing in on me and I want out. I want to go back to my home, sit in my favorite chair, put my glasses on, and read until I fall asleep. I’m losing hope that I will ever see home again, but I don’t know if I’ll ever feel safe.
I close my eyes clearing my head so I can talk to the one person I have a connection to, a connection that I don’t understand, nor do I know if he even hears me. Hell, he could simply be a figment of my imagination, but if there’s a possibility this link is real, then I want him to know who I am. “My name is Maximus, well, Max. These fuckers tried to kill me, not once, but twice. If you’re out there, I pray to God this is real.”
I’ve been dreaming about my savior. He’s six feet of tattooed muscle with fair skin and auburn hair. His smile could radiate immense light in the darkest of places, and his arms are the only thing that would make me feel safe. I know his name is Salvation, and deep down, I can feel he’s my salvation. He’s the one man who has the power to yank me from the depths of hell and take me far, far away. All I need is for him to get to me.
The door rattles as it opens and Genocide steps through, but he’s by himself this time. He grins salaciously at me as he causally walks to the tiny cot. “It’s time to go on the hunt.”
“What?”
He produces a silver key. “It’s time for more fun.”
I decide to act like a smartass instead of afraid. “Oh good because I was getting bored.”
Genocide takes one cuff in his grip, unlocking it and swiftly moving to the other. “You get an hour head start.”
My heart falls into my stomach and my stomach plummets into my ass. “Head start for what exactly?”
“You’re the prey.”
“I’m not an animal, you jackass!”
“I know. You proved that to be true when that shot of adrenaline didn’t turn you.”
“So now what? Are you gonna let
