Page 33 of Hostile Saint

My mind raced for solutions. “Uh, uh… A tent! I could stay in a tent in the woods to be near her.”

Observing me flat on my ass, obviously in rough shape, Lynx chuckled. “Oh yeah? And, how do you plan on making her remember ya? Going to invite her to your tent for chicken nuggets and honey or something?”

My eyes raced back to the picture. “Fuck. Third floor. Bars on the windows.”

Vice pfft. “It’s only one more floor than you’re used to climbing for her. Besides, I gotchu, too, Pup.” Vice pointed his beer bottle to the phone. “See that lattice and gutter spout? It just so happens they are right next to her window. Right there.” The bottle tapped the phone. “Some careful climbing and it can be done.” From his back pocket, he pulled out a screwdriver. “For the bars.”

I smiled, until Dagger said, “Those old bars must be rusted on by now—”

Out of his other back pocket, Vice pulled out a can of some sort of spray. “For the rust.”

Laughing, Lynx muttered, “Jesus H. Christ, Vice.” He peaked around him. “You got Elle back there by chance?”

Vice rolled his eyes. “Like you would allow Elle anywhere near my perfect ass—” He stumbled to the side after Lynx punched his shoulder. Laughing, he said, “I’m not getting you another beer for that.”

Dagger lifted a hand. “Can I have one?”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Needing Sugar

A knock rapped on my open bedroom door. From my bed, I peered up to see Vice. “What up, big man?”

He stood in the doorway. “Get ya a good ol’ nap?”

I had woken only minutes before. “Sure did. Everything okay?”

“No, but it will be. Do you believe that?”

I didn’t even have to instruct my body to sit up. It just did. My healed feet touched the carpet as I sat there, worried. “I believe I can get through anything as long as she is okay.”

He dipped his chin as his dark brown eyes softened. “Then you will survive what we need to talk about, because your girl is safe. Prez has a set of Stallion eyes on her at all times. She is literally hidden away in a perfect spot.”

My lungs filled with air… “Then let’s do this.”

I followed Vice through the living room to the dining room. At the end of the table sat Lynx, his broad back with his Stallion symbol staring at me. To his left sat Dagger, who was watching me. No smile present.

I walked around Lynx to sit with my back to the window, where I usually sat. Those two chairs were always available. These men didn’t seem to appreciate their backs being vulnerable.

Vice slid into the chair next to Dagger.

Sitting between us all was the burner phone. I stared at it, wondering what had been said that would have these men so solemn.

“Hey, Nine Lives,” quietly echoed from the burner phone.

Elle.

As soon as I heard her voice, I knew I was about to get kicked in the gut. She didn’t sound any better off than the men staring at me. I quickly looked to Vice who had just promised Lacey was safe.

He nodded. “I swear it.”

Licking my suddenly dry lips, I took a deep breath. “Hey, Elle.” I tried to joke, “The big babies making you be the one to tell me bad news?”

She exhaled, “Yeah, baby. You okay with that?”

Biting the side of my bottom lip, I nervously looked around the table. All three men were with grave stares. Fuck, this is going to hurt. “Yeah, I’m okay with that.”

“Thank you, honey.” She took a deep breath, “I’m sitting here with Justice, who did a little background checking with your social security number.”