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She tilts her head with defiance, putting her hands on her hips. “So, you’ll leave me in here without security?”
I scan the room, filled with hundreds of people, drinking and I’m sure a few doing drugs. Sydney’s stalker is still out there and can be in this room. I growl, grabbing her hand and pull her along with me. I’d rather she not hear details, but her staying in here by herself is not an option.
As soon as we hit the cool crisp air, the window to a black SUV rolls down and Kase nods. Ignoring the flashes and the questions being thrown at us, I pull Syd in closer to my side until we approach the SUV. The door swings open and I hover over Sydney while she climbs in. The second the door is shut, Hudson drives off.
“Wait,” Sydney panics. “I didn’t know we were leaving. I can’t leave my own party.”
I rest my hand on her tanned thigh and she pushes it away as she shimmies her dress down. “We’re going back. We just can’t have paparazzi standing outside the door while we talk.”
“Oh. Hey guys.”
They all return the greeting. Stone turns in his seat, handing me an iPad. “We got word from a reliable source that Rex is in Mexico. That’s where he’s at.” I glance at the map, the red dot representing the place he’s supposedly at.
“Do we know if he’s alive?”
Stone winces. “We haven’t been able to determine that. The source hasn’t seen him in a while.” I want to ask who the source is, but not with Sydney around. Running my hands across my jaw, I’m at a loss what to do. That town, it’s run by a cartel. It’s not good news since Rex hasn’t been heard from in over a month. I pinch the bridge of my nose, leaning on my elbow against the door. The danger I’d be putting my guys in because of the stupid shit my brother got himself into weighs on me. But so does leaving Sydney with her stalker still out there.
“Max,” Sydney whispers. I turn toward her and she puts her hand in mine. The glow from the streetlamp lights up her face, outlining the delicate, perfect oval. “Go find your brother.”
“I can’t leave you. Not now.”
“Your brother needs you. And I can’t carry that guilt too.” I bring her hand to my mouth, hating I have to make this decision.
“I’ll stay with Syd,” Stone says. I blow out a ragged breath and nod.
“You and Hudson watch her twenty-four seven.” I stare at them until they both give me confirmation. I rarely demand a response, my guys know what to do, but I need it this time. “Kase, you’re with me. We’ll leave at five a.m.”
“Hudson, take us to our hotel.”
I jerk my head toward Sydney at her demand.
“Yes, ma’am.” Hudson puts the SUV in drive and pulls forward.
“I thought we were going back to your party?”
“We are.” She winks at me. “But we have a meeting that we postponed that needs to be addressed.”
I lick my lips and nod, trying to hold it together in front of the team. “You’re the boss.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Sydney
The stale air from the lack of life hits me when I step inside my apartment. I guess I should be thankful I don’t smell cat shit. Glancing around, I’m half expecting Moxi to come prancing out of the bedroom before I remember she’s at the neighbor’s place. She wouldn’t have welcomed me, anyway. Hopefully Gracie fell in love with her enough she won’t bring her back.
“Hudson was just here, checked everything out,” Stone says, standing in the doorway. I nod, barely able to wave my hand in the air. Max and I were up all night, a marathon of unadulterated passion. My whole body is deliciously sore. That man made sure I wouldn’t be forgetting him anytime soon. “I’ll be right outside in my car if you need anything. Hudson and I will alternate shifts. You have our numbers in your phone if you need anything.”
“Got it. Thanks, Stone.” He chuckles when I strain to open my heavy eyelids.
“Go get some rest,” he says before he turns and walks away. “And lock your door.” Yeah. Got it.
My bags hit the floor right before I make a beeline to my bed. As I pass the thermostat, I jab my finger on the down arrow until the air conditioner kicks on. Sixty-six. Perfect. Fully clothed, I snuggle into my comforter, my exhausting getting the best of me. Just as I close my eyes, there’s a knock at the door. Go away. It better not be Stone. The only other people who know I’m home, wouldn’t be knocking already so I ignore it and relax again. Except the knock becomes a pound. Whoever it is, isn’t leaving. Throwing the covers to the side, I stomp toward the door and swing it open.
“Gracie.” I stare at the teenager who has a fake smile plastered on her face.
“I thought that was you coming into your apartment.”
I yawn and nod. I hope she hasn’t sent out a massive text telling all her friends. I’m not in the mood to deal with fans right now. “You caught me. Did you need something?”
