Chapter 12
King was in heaven.
He’d spent last night in Savvy’s arms. They’d made love countless times and yet he wanted more.
The next morning, King found Savvy sitting crossed legged on the floor, with a guitar in her lap. King rolled over to watch her, drinking in the sights and sounds. He wanted to hoard his time with her, bottle it up, and save it for the future.
Her voice was a little hoarse, raspy, with the edge of a husky growl. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun, tendrils escaped, laying softly on her neck. She was still naked, strumming and singing softly.
Savvy was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
This was the last day he’d ever spend with her, and he’d make it count.
And then King was on his feet. He wanted her again. No, he had to have her. Now.
She glanced up when she finally noticed him, teeth sinking into her lower lip. He loved the way she lost herself in music, forgetting everything and everyone around her.
And one day very soon she’d forget all about him.
Don’t think about it. Just enjoy this. Enjoy her.
“I need you.” It was a raw truth laid bare. Only it wasn’t merely sexual, it was an all-encompassing necessity.
“Come here.” She opened her arms to him, and there was an answering fire in her eyes.
King gently grasped the guitar and set it on the bed, and then he scooped her up, placing her on his lap, as he sat cross-legged on the floor. His cock was already raring to go, pressing against the small of her back.
He woke her body up gently, kissing the back of her neck, hands drifting over her. King stroked the line of her shoulders and traced the length of her arms.
And then his touch grew more intimate.
He cupped her breasts in his hands, her nipples were hard against his palms.
When she was ready, he parted her thighs, splaying them wide. She was wet against his fingers, juicy, a ripe peach. He didn’t stop until she was lusciously slick under his fingertips, moaning for him.
King rubbed himself against her ass, helplessly bucking against her. It was time.
When they were both ready, he lifted her, sliding her down onto his cock. He held her hips as she thrust back into him. It was slow at first, a long, drawn-out tease. There was moisture, promise, but no payoff. No friction.
“You’re killin’ me, queen.” His breath came harsher, rasping. “Give it to me.”
“Are you ready?” Savvy clutched his thighs, fingernails sinking in deep.
He hissed. “God, yes. Come on, cowgirl. Giddy-up.”
And then she bounced on him, setting the pace, seizing control.
King loved every single second of it. She slammed down on him, taking his dick deep into her depths, holding him close. Loving him. She left him gasping, almost unable to control himself.
Savvy came first, moaning as she found her release.
And when he came, King was lost, under her spell, surrendering to Savvy unconditionally. Hers.
King held her afterward, keeping Savvy on his lap, clutching her.
“Gettin’ ready for tonight?” he asked gruffly.
“Yeah, I wanted to get a little practice in. I heard from Adam again this morning.”
King tensed. “What did the bastard say?”
“He won’t be able to make it to the concert, but I shouldn’t worry because Emerald will be there to support me.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound suspicious at all. Did he give a reason?”
“A vague one. Adams said he had an appointment.”
No doubt, his “appointment” would be very public. No one would suspect him, if Adam wasn’t at the event.
“Don’t worry about it. Once we get our hands on the shooter, we’ll make him tell us who hired him, and then we’ll hand them both over to the FBI.”
Although King was doubtful, a professional would fess up. He didn’t want to add to her stress levels, so he shut his mouth.
“Yeah.” Savvy’s sounded doubtful.
“I mean it. Don’t worry, I got this.” King twisted her on his lap so he could see her face.
“I know.” She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Regardless, I’m doin’ the show my way. I don’t care what Adam told the concert promoters. If this is my last gig, I ain’t singin’ anyone else’s material, and if they don’t like it, they can piss up a rope.”
“Savvy, this isn’t your last—”
“While I’m thinkin’ about it, I’ve gotta give you somethin’.” King tried to hold on to her, but she slipped through his fingers. She got off his lap and grabbed her notebook from the nightstand. “Here. I want you to have this.”
He flipped through a few pages. “Thank you, but I can’t accept it. This is your music, you’ll need it.”
“I hope so, but I don’t know for sure.”
King shook his head, refusing to hear it. “Don’t start up with the farewell routine again.” He firmly believed, if a person doubted himself, he was far more likely to fail.
“Listen to me.” Her eyes were wide, pleading.
“Okay.” King took a deep breath.
“If somethin’ happens to me tonight—” He started to speak, but she held up the hand. “I want you to have my music. This isn’t the only notebook.” Savvy pointed to the one in his hand. “There are boxes all over my house, and they’ll belong to you if things don’t go our way. I already emailed my lawyer, so it’s done.”
King was overcome at the enormity of the gift. His eyes burned with unspent tears, as he touched a page, with lyrics done in her own handwriting.
“These are too valuable. If you can’t sing them, they should be sold to other musicians. Your songs need to be heard.”
She knelt by his side, pressing the book against his chest. “No one appreciates them more than you. Promise me, you’ll take them.”
Savvy was trying to give him a piece of herself King could keep with him always. And he was overwhelmed.
“I’d cherish them, but I ain’t lettin’ anythin’ happen to you.” King dropped a kiss on her lips.
Her face was solemn. “You’ve changed me for the better. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yeah? How?”
“I’m not afraid anymore. If I come out of this alive, I’m gonna spend the rest of my career, doin’ things my way. I no longer give a damn what’s popular or what my record label wants.”
“You’ve made up your mind.” He knew she’d been wavering back and forth. Savvy had made the right decision.
“What have I got to lose? The commercial stuff I don’t like isn’t sellin’ anyway. It makes the decision a lot easier.”
“Just for the record, I think you’ll be surprised by the results.” King had a feeling her fans would be clamoring for the new material.
“Do you mind if I play you somethin’?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Savvy sat on his lap once again and played him a song.
Her voice surrounded King, consumed him. It was so sweet and pure, it brought tears to his eyes. The melody rocked him gently, like a lullaby.
And he was overcome.
I’m in love with this woman.
He couldn’t deny it any longer. Hell, he wanted to shout it from the rooftops. And even if he spent the rest of his days in her arms, it wouldn’t be enough.
But King didn’t have a clue how to tell her.
***
“Report,” West said in King’s ear.
“Just a bunch of drunks here.”
The entire team was at Bloom. King and the rest of his teammates were milling around the crowd. They were dressed in civilian clothes, although they wore bullet-resistant material beneath it. Like always, they wore earbuds, so they could communicate with one another.
There was a large, rowdy crowd, and too much was going on.
The stage was in the middle of the fair, and the place was crawling with people. There were three beer tents, and folks were getting liquored up. Many of them were smashed and sunburned from staying outside all day. And fights were breaking out now and then, nothing security couldn’t handle on their own, but it still troubled him.
It wasn’t exactly the ideal crowd.
Savvy hadn’t even taken the stage yet, and things were already headed south.
“What about you, Nox?” West asked.
“Nothin’ to report. No sign of the shooter.”
Since it was an outdoor venue, Nox had perched on a nearby ridge with his high-powered rifle and a set of binoculars, while West was on another ridge.
“I’ll check in with everyone in another half an hour. West out.”
What if the shooter knew they were here and didn’t show? What if Adam had suspected something was up and ran for it? There were too many unanswered variables.
Zane stepped up beside him. “What do you think?” They’d both been assigned to the stage floor.
“That we oughtta call this whole thing off. I should beat the crap out of Storm, for even suggestin’ it.”
King was getting agitated, having second thoughts. What if he ended up getting her killed?
“Too late now.”
King didn’t respond. Instead, he did a three-sixty turn, scanning the crowd. Come on, you son of a bitch, show yourself.
“Hey, after the show, we need to talk about Ellie.”
King blinked. “What about her?” She’d been laying low since she arrived, but at least Ellie hadn’t gone back to the dickhead.
“Like I said, I’ll discuss it with you later.”
“Then why’d you bring it up now?” King snapped.
“Okay, I can tell this is a bad time.” Zane backed off. “Tell you what. I’ll keep an eye on these knuckleheads, and you go see Savvy.”
“Fine by me.” King stalked off.
***
Savvy paced the length of her dressing room.
The makeup and hair people had gotten her ready. All she had to do now, was walk out on stage, sing her songs, and King would take care of the rest.
And what if the shooter’s out there? Loading his gun?
Don’t. You’ll give yourself a panic attack. Yeah, it’s way too late.
Her palms were sweaty, and she felt dizzy. Her throat was parched too, as though she’d been walking through a desert. She grabbed a bottle of water and chugged it.
What if I just left? Said peace out, and started a new life somewhere else? It sounded good. She was contemplating making a run for the border when her dressing room door opened.
Savvy tensed, but King walked into the room, and she threw herself into his arms.
“God, I’m glad to see you.”
“Same here.” He kissed the top of her head.
They’d spend the entire day together, but she’d wanted even more time.
Savvy had eaten lunch with the team earlier, but everyone had been solemn. The minestrone she’d worked so hard on, tasted like ashes in her mouth. It felt like she was a guest at a wake.
“Security’s tight out there,” King said approvingly. Mack was guarding one end of the hall, while Annie watched the other. No one was getting through without authorization.
“How are you holdin’ up?”
She tried to smile. “I’ve had better afternoons.”
King chuckled.
“Let’s breathe together. I need to calm down, too.” Savvy thought he was probably lying to make her feel better. King didn’t look nervous at all, but she appreciated the effort.
Swallowing, Savvy nodded. She was having trouble focusing. Her body was on high alert, nerve endings frayed, jumping at the slightest noise.
He grasped her shoulders. “Come on, breathe in.” She felt like he was the only thing tethering her to sanity.
Savvy trusted him completely, had faith in him. He’d never let her down yet, and she knew he never would.
Savvy locked eyes with King and took in a big gulp of air and then released it. After a few moments they stopped.
“I feel like a coward,” Savvy confessed.
“No, you’re the bravest woman I’ve ever met, queen. You and me are gonna get through this.”
“Yeah.” Savvy tried to smile.
“Say it like you mean it, Savvy.”
Savvy’s studied him a minute. King looked absolutely certain, and it sustained her own faith. Together, they could do this.
“Yes.” She tipped her chin up.“We got this.”
He smoothed her eyebrows with the pad of his thumb. King leaned down for a kiss, and she encircled his neck, wrapping her arms around him, clinging to him.
“You believe me, don’t you?” King asked as he pulled away.
Savvy really smiled this time. “Well, I’m eighty percent sure, so it’s a passin’ grade.”
King chuckled. “You must be feelin’ better, you made a joke.”
“I just want this over.”
“I know.”
“Do you have your GPS?”
“Yep.” She pulled out a small, button-like device. Storm had gotten it for her so they could track her movements, in case anyone tried to run off with her. It made Savvy feel marginally better, although she’d rather not be abducted.
“Excellent, keep it in your pocket.” He kissed her again and headed for the door. “I’ve gotta get in position. Try not to worry, Savvy, this ends tonight.”
Savvy prayed he was right.
A half an hour later, there was another knock on the door.
“What now?”
Night had fallen, and the last opening act had just taken the stage. Savvy was up next, and she had about thirty minutes before she had to be in place.
“Miss Summers?” Another knock.
“Yes? Can I help you?” Savvy strolled to the door but didn’t open it.
“I’m Mr. Matthews, the festival organizer.” She’d heard the name before but never met the man. “I wanted to check in with you, and make sure you had everything you needed.”
“Thank you. Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” Savvy grimaced.
Normally, this is the kind of thing Adam would take care of. Of course, she didn’t want her homicidal manager in the mix. If she’d had to pretend with him for hours, Savvy couldn’t have done it.
“Can you let me in? I have a gift basket for you as a thank you for performing.”
She didn’t want to appear rude, and he’d made it through the security checkpoints, so Savvy opened the door.
Mathews was a handsome blue-eyed, dark-haired man in his mid-thirties. He was muscular, tall, and carrying an enormous wicker basket filled with coffee, tea, expensive chocolates, and other goodies.
“Well, thank you.”
He set the gift on the couch.
“You’re welcome.” And then he pulled out a gun.
“You’re not Mr. Matthews.” Savvy took a step back and lifted her hands into the air. How could I be so stupid?
“No, I’m not.”
Black spots flecked her vision, and Savvy swayed on her feet. For a second, she feared she would pass out.
“You’re the hitman.”
“I prefer the term sniper, but you can call me Phil.”
“How did you get past security?”
“I didn’t.” Phil gave her a sharky smile, all teeth, and no conscience. “There are plenty of hidey holes around here, especially if you case the joint ahead of time.”
It made sense. They’d done a preliminary sweep of the venue, but there were so many nooks and crannies for storage, it would’ve been easy to overlook one. And Adam could’ve snuck him in at any time. He had an all-access pass.
She opened her mouth, but he held up a hand.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“Do what?”
“Scream. If you do, you’ll be dead before they get here.” Phil tightened his grip on the gun.
“I won’t.” She swallowed the lump in her throat.
“Smart decision. Now, give me your phone.” That smile again. “I can’t have you calling them either.”
She tossed it over, and he smashed it under his heel. Apparently, her phones had a short lifespan. Savvy wondered if she’d have the same problem.
“Let’s go.” He pointed to the wall with the barrel of his gun.
“Go where? Through the wall?”
“I can’t very well take you down the hallway. We’ll have to use the crawl space, behind the stage. They don’t use it anymore, but they haven’t blocked it off.”
When she took a closer look at it, there was a seam around one section. Savvy hadn’t even noticed it earlier. There were a couple of chairs situated in front, so it didn’t exactly standout.
“Get moving.”
“Where are you taking me?” Savvy stalled for time. As soon as she stepped out of this room, it would all be over.
No one would ever see her alive again.
Savvy locked down her jaw, refusing to fall apart. King will find me. She kept repeating it like a prayer, over and over again. Savvy slowed her heart rate down, harnessed the fear before it got away from her.
“Somewhere quiet. You’ve got bodyguards crawling all over this place.”
“But—”
“Move!” He lifted the gun.
Savvy did as he asked.
The passageway was narrow, littered with dust and spider webs. Phil was right behind her the entire time. A few minutes later, she crawled out of the hidden passageway behind the stage and into a deserted hallway.
Savvy had no clue where she was.
There was an elaborate network of corridors. Although, there was an exit sign at the far end of the hallway. Phil must’ve chosen this location so he could make a fast getaway after he shot her.
“Move your ass.” Phil pushed her into an empty room and locked them in.
This is it.
Savvy’s figured she had only moments left. She doubted King would find her in time, even with the GPS in her pocket.
Instead of panicking, she got very calm. Savvy pictured King in her mind’s eye and held onto the image for strength.
Although, he didn’t pull the trigger. Instead, he studied her, a speculative gleam in his beady little eyes.
“Well, if it isn’t Savannah Summers, in the flesh.”
“Are you tryin’ to tell me you want an autograph?” Savvy’s spoke with a confidence she didn’t feel. Fake it until you make it.
“No, but you’re a hard woman to find. This would’ve been over sooner, but you were in a fortified house, surrounded by a former Navy SEALs and a fantastic security system. Believe me, I’ve tried.”
“I thought you wanted to scare me.”
Savvy was a creator, an artist, and she’d never hurt anyone in her entire life. She didn’t know the first thing about destroying someone. Savvy couldn’t understand what drove this man, or the person who’d hired him.
“Yes, but I didn’t want to draw this out for such a long time.”
“Yeah, he paid you to make it hurt, didn’t he?” Savvy asked bitterly.
“What makes you think a man hired me?”
“You’re saying a woman wants me dead?”
Phil smirked. “Discretion is important in my line of work. Nobody hires a chatty sniper.”
“Great. You’re a murderer with ethics.”
Phil clucked his tongue. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, I really am. This isn’t personal. I actually like your music.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do. There’s thirty thousand bucks on the line, with a ten-thousand-dollar bonus for cruelty.”
Wait a minute. Thirty plus ten is forty. Not fifty. But I don’t have time for math.
Savvy stared him down, but he didn’t pull the trigger.
Phil swallowed. “This is easier to do from far away.”
Oh God. Any second now. Savvy had a sick sort of dread, willing him to do it, instead of hesitating, drawing this out. Waiting was even worse.
I don’t wanna die here like this.
Savvy tried to be brave. She’d always pictured dying like her Gran, in bed with her husband beside her, not backed against a wall, at the mercy of a professional killer.
I should’ve written my own music sooner. I should’ve kissed King that first night in my room. I wonder if he has feelings for me, too?
Now, I’ll never know.
Dying with regrets is terrible. Better to fail spectacularly than go out a coward who was too scared to chase her own dreams.
She thought back to the conversation she’d had with Annie and Mack during the team meeting. Be your own her.
“Don’t worry. It’ll be quick and painless.” He raised the gun once more.
Savvy opened her mouth and hit a C sharp, using every ounce of volume she possessed. She sang as though her life depended on it because it did.
Savvy blasted him with the note and he stepped back. Phil winced, bringing the other hand to his ear.
It was the only opening she was going to get.
Savvy kicked Phil in the balls and ran.
***
“What the fuck do you mean, she’s missin’?”
“I mean, she’s gone.” Mack gestured to the empty dressing room. There was no sign of Savvy. “According to the GPS, she’s still in the building.”
It was impossible to narrow down what part of the venue she was in, however. A design flaw he’d be discussing with Storm, at a later date.
“Unless somebody made her drop it?”
Think, dammit.
King was in a state of full-blown panic. When Mack called him over the comms and told him Savvy had missed her cue, he’d lost his mind.
“Well, she didn’t up and disappear.” None of this made any sense. The gunman shouldn’t have been able to get past the security checkpoints.
He took a deep breath. “Walk me through it. Tell me what happened. Was there a disturbance? Maybe somebody created a distraction and snuck her out?” King was grasping at straws. “Or did she have any other visitors besides me?”
King listened, as patiently as possible, as Mack described a man wearing a backstage pass, knocking on Savvy’s door with a gift basket.
“Did he come through the checkpoint?
“No. He was already in the hallway, and I assumed he was an assistant or a roadie. I didn’t think much of it since he was already back there.” Her eyes rounded. “Shit. I fucked up.”
“Let’s work the problem, and we’ll figure out what happened later. What if this guy snuck in earlier? Maybe with Adam’s help?”
“And he’s been hiding here? Waiting for his chance?”
“Exactly. This guy has to be our shooter.”
“I agree, but where did they go?” Mack already checked with the rest of the team, and no one had seen Savvy.
“Somehow, he snuck her out of this place.”
They scanned the room, and King wasn’t sure what he was looking for. Black holes? The Bermuda Triangle?
And then he noticed the seams in the wall.
“Son of a bitch!” Sure enough, there was a hidden panel. They hadn’t noticed it earlier, and the oversight might have cost Savvy everything.
“I’ll be damned.”
King checked the crawl space, shining the flashlight from his phone into the darkness. There was no sign of Savvy or her abductor.
“Be advised,” he said into the mic, “I’m gonna see where it leads.” He got down on his hands and knees.
“Don’t you dare go in there. Not without the rest of us as backup,” West said over the comms.
“You can bust my balls later. There’s no time.” King started crawling.
***
He’s gonna find me and kill me.
Savvy ran as fast as she could down the hall. There was no sign of the team. Or Phil. She didn’t have a cell phone to call them, and this place might as well be a maze.
The exit sign at the end of the hall pointed to the left.
She sped around the corner and tripped, falling on her hands and knees. Hissing in pain, she staggered to her feet and took off again.
Savvy was overwhelmed, reeling, and the room spun around her, as though she’d stepped onto a carousel. Only she couldn’t get off, couldn’t find her balance.
It felt like the walls were closing in on her.
“Where’s the exit?” she whispered. All she could see was more passageways. Savvy wasn’t familiar with her surroundings and didn’t have a clue where she was going.
Around the next corner, she ran smack dab into Nathan. Bewildered, she stared up at him. He was the very last person she expected to see.
“Savvy, what’s wrong?”
She glanced over her shoulder. “The man who shot Gloria is here, and he tried to—”
“Oh my God. Are you okay? Did he hurt you, Miss Savannah?”
“No, I’m fine.” More or less. “But we can’t stay out here. We have to go. Now.”
Nathan took her hand, and they started running. “I’ve been walking around here for ten minutes and haven’t found a way out.”
“Dammit. We can’t stay out here in the open. We’re sitting ducks.” Any second now, Phil would come around the corner and shoot her. Actually, he’d probably take Nathan out to.
“You should stay away from me. He’ll kill you, too.”
“I’m not going to leave you to die.” His eyes were wide, sincere, and despite herself, Savvy was touched.
“Thank you for not leaving me. Should we hide?”
“Excellent idea.”
Around the next corner, they found a bathroom.
“You’re hurt. Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” Evidently, he’d noticed the bloody streaks on her hands. She’d scratched up her knees and her palms from landing on the concrete, but Savvy was otherwise unharmed.
“Crap. There’s no lock on the door.” Savvy wanted some barriers between her and Phil.
“Let’s place something in front of it.” They pushed a couple of wastebaskets against the door, but it wasn’t much of a barricade.
Savvy climbed up on the bathroom counter. Her heart was still thundering in her chest, but she could think once again.
Nathan grabbed some paper towels and wet a couple of them underneath the faucet before squirting some soap onto them. Then he turned his attention to her hands, cleaning away the blood.
She hissed at the contact. The wounds weren’t deep, but they were tender, a bit like having a paper cut.
“What are you doing back here? I thought you and your dad was sightseein’ around Europe.”
He’d lifted a shoulder. “We came home early.”
“Yeah? Did something happen?”
“No, but I wanted to see your show.” He’d left Europe, to watch her sing? It didn’t make much sense.
Savvy felt terrible, but she was only half-listening to Nathan as he spoke about the trip. She kept glancing over his shoulder.
Staying put wasn’t an option. Her instincts urged her to run.
“Nathan, I don’t want to be rude, I’ve got to go.” As she was about to hop off the counter, he seized her by the shoulders.
“No, you’re not leaving me.” He said with a quiet intensity she didn’t understand. “Not again.”
“What are you talking about?”
Nathan was breathing hard and sweat trickled from his brow. “I’ve done everything I can think of to get your attention, and you never notice me.”
Savvy flinched. Oh no.
“Um, Nathan, did you send me flowers?”
“So, you got them.”
“Yes, I did.”
So, he’d sent the creepy notes and flowers. Nathan must’ve developed an obsession with her. Savvy never would’ve suspected him. If anything, Magnus was a more likely candidate to be a stalker, since he had boundary issues.
“You never thanked me.” His chin trembled.
Could this day get any worse? She thought of an old saying, her momma was fond of. Out of the frying pan, and into the fire.
Her mouth went dry. “Well, I’m sorry, but you didn’t sign your name to the card.”
“You knew it was me. Didn’t you?” Nathan demanded, smacking a palm on the counter.
“I do now.” Mack had said he was dangerous, so she didn’t want to provoke him.
“You barely noticed me. You wouldn’t even text me back when I finally got your number.”
Was her reluctance part of the attraction? Or was he just plain nuts?
“Who gave it to you?”
“Emerald. She said we were meant to be together. Everyone else knows it, but you.”
That bitch. “I’m sorry, but I have to—”
He cut her off before she could give him an excuse.
“No, you’re gonna stay here with me.” He hugged her, and Savvy shivered in his embrace. “Apologize for hurtin’ me.”
“I’m sorry, Nathan.”
“And give me a kiss.”
He leaned closer.
Before she could scream, he smothered her mouth with his own. It was wet and slimy.
“Nathan, let me go,” she gasped, turning her head to the side.
Savvy tried to twist away from him, but Nathan was strong, and she couldn’t fend him off. He even had her legs pinned against the cabinet, so she couldn’t kick him in the balls. There was nowhere to go and no way to get away from him.
“Never.” Nathan forced his tongue into her mouth and Savvy gagged.
The bathroom door swung open, sending the trash cans spilling to the floor, startling them both.
And there stood Emerald, holding a gun.
***
It was a tight squeeze in the narrow passage.
Dust motes floated in the air, and big black spiders lurked in the corners. The dirt had been disturbed though, it was smeared all over the floorboards.
King finally pushed his way through and found himself in another hallway. Sighing in relief, he stood, brushing himself off.
“Who designed this place? M. C. Escher?” Any second, he expected to see members of Spinal Tap wandering around back here.
And then a bullet grazed the side of his head and King hit the deck. The gunman stood at the opposite end of the hallway, weapon drawn.
King flattened himself against the wall, making his body a smaller target. The shooter did the same.
Fuck. There’s nowhere to go. The nearest door was fifteen feet away. He’d never make it back to the passage, either.
“I’ve got the gunman,” King said over the comms. “But I’m pinned down backstage, and I don’t know where the fuck I am.” He spotted a faded number painted on the wall. “It says section nine.” Whatever that means.
“We’re comin’!” Zane said.
“Where is she?” King called.
The dickhead didn’t answer.
King pulled out his Glock and fired one off, tagging the sonofabitch in the right shoulder.
Score. The prick’s right-handed.
The shooter picked up his weapon again and grazed King’s side, before he could press himself against the wall. It hurt like hell, but it wasn’t life-threatening.
“Where is she, dammit?” So, help me God, if the fucker killed her, I’m gonna paint the walls red before I’m done with him.
Another shot, this time the bullet ricocheted and King instinctively covered his head.
Enough fucking around.
The gunman peeled away from the wall to fire another shot, and King nailed him square in the chest. The shooter slumped to the floor and dropped the gun.
Glock drawn, King advanced him and then kicked the weapon away.
“Where’s Savvy?” King hauled him up by the lapels, shaking the bastard. “Tell me!”
He spit blood at King, spattering his face. “I don’t know. She got away from me.”
She’s alive! Relief soared through him.
“Who hired you? Was it Adam Campbell?” Blood poured from the wound, staining his shirt and his face paled.
In answer, he gave a wheezing laugh as blood bubbled from his mouth.
“Tell me.”
“You know I ain’t gonna give up the name.”
He was right.
So, King put him down with one shot between the eyes, just like he’d killed Gloria.
“The shooter’s been neutralized but Savvy’s in the wind,” King said over the comms.
“Savvy!” he called, breaking into a run.
***
“Emerald, what are you doing?”
This is bananas.
Savvy and Nathan both held up their hands, waiting to see what she’d do next.
“What do you think?” She stepped into the room, pointing the weapon at Savvy.
And things fell into place. I’m such an idiot.
“Adam didn’t hire the hitman. It was you all along.”
Why hadn’t she seen it before? Emerald had more than enough cash to hire a killer, and she hated Savvy’s guts. Although, since she wasn’t married to Adam yet, Emerald wouldn’t benefit from the increased royalties.
The team had been wrong, this was personal. Very personal.
“It took you long enough to figure it out. I loved watchin’ you worry.” Emerald tossed her hair over one shoulder, grinning with vicious glee.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, but it doesn’t involve me.” Nathan inched closer to the door. “I won’t say a word, I promise.”
Savvy scowled at the little worm.
“You’re right, Nathan, you aren’t necessary.”
His eyes widened. “Then you’ll let me go?”
“Emerald, what are you—”
“Not exactly.”
She shot him in the chest, and he hit the floor, wheezing for breath, clutching his chest. If he hadn’t been stalking her, Savvy would’ve tried to help him. As it was, she was more concerned with her own hide.
Nathan groaned, rolling over on his side. He was in pain, but still alive. For now.
“I know you hate me, but why did you resort to this?” Savvy backed up, struggling for calm once more.
“Why do you think?” Emerald’s hand shook, and Savvy feared the gun would go off by accident.
“Tell me you aren’t serious. You’re jealous?”
A white line formed around her mouth. “I’d be very careful how you speak to me. I’m not jealous!”
“No?” Riiiight.
“I have no reason to be. Why would Adam want you, when he has me?”
And she’s clearly in denial.
“Then why come after me?” Keep her talking, stall for time.
King, where are you? She’d heard gunshots in the distance and feared the worst. What if Phil had killed him?
“I’m doing you a favor when you think about it.”
“How do you figure?”
“Face it, honey, you’re a ‘has been.’ A month from now, your album will be in the bargain bin. Six months from now, your record label will drop you. And a year from now, people will wonder, whatever happened to ol’ what’s her name. I’m savin’ you from playing honky tonks and rememberin’ your glory days.”
The words stung. Those were her biggest fears, all laid out, in the harshest way possible.
“I see, and this is all for my benefit, huh? You’re so full of shit, your eyes should be brown.”
“Shut up!” she screamed.
“So why not let the hitman do your dirty work for you?”
“He messaged me earlier.” She pulled a cheap burner cellphone from her pocket. “Said you got away from him. I’m bettin’ one of those Black Star guys caught up with him.” Her lips twisted into a sneer.
Savvy sighed. So, King and the rest of the crew had taken Phil out? She glanced at Nathan, who was sprawled on the floor.
Two threats down, one to go.
“Don’t look so relieved, this ain’t over, not for you. I should’ve handled this myself from the start. I can see that now.”
“Why’d you even come here? If I were plannin’ a crime, I’d get as far away as possible.”
“I wanted to see you get what’s comin’ to you. In the flesh.”
Apparently, she was crazy pants, too. Emerald and Nathan would make a great couple.
“Yeah, you paid him extra for mental torture.”
Think dammit. How do I get out of this? Emerald wasn’t a pro so Savvy might stand a chance against her. She could grab the gun, and this would be over.
What if I make her angry? She might get sloppy.
“Why not?” Emerald smirked. “If you’re rich enough, you can buy anything.”
“Except someone’s love.”
“Shut your mouth!” Emerald lurched closer, finger on the trigger. “When you’re gone, Adam will be mine. He’ll appreciate what I did for him. He’ll be free of you, and he’ll have enough money to do anythin’.” The gun wobbled in her grasp, as though she were fighting the urge to shoot Savvy.
“Hmph.”
“What?”
“You missed somethin’.”
“And what’s that?”
“Adam’s first love is money, not you. He’ll never love you the way you want. Adam’s not capable of it.”
“I said shut up!” She placed the barrel of a gun on Savvy’s forehead. One squeeze and she’d die just like Gloria.
Savvy gulped. And the plan failed in a very big way.
Please, King. Find me. Save me.
The door swung open once more, and King stood there, like an avenging angel, with his weapon drawn and a scowl on his handsome face. He was blood-spattered, weary, and Savvy nearly collapsed with relief.
Emerald swung around to face him.
“Put it down,” King ordered. “Now.”
“No! Leave! This doesn’t concern you.” She’d never look so desperate.
“Savvy, are you hurt?” King didn’t take his eyes off Emerald, keeping her in his sightline.
“No, I’m fine.”
“You’re kiddin’ me.” Emerald stared at King, hard. “You’re in love with her, too?”
King ignored the question. “Ma’am, lay down your weapon. The shooter is dead, the FBI’s on the way, and the complex is being evacuated. This is over.”
“No!” And then she pulled the trigger.
King nailed her right between the eyes and then clasped his chest. His hand came away bloody, and he stared at it a moment, dazed.
He stumbled. “Savvy, I—”
“King no!” Savvy raced to his side.
And then King collapsed, his skull cracking against the concrete floor.