Page 168

Not for me, but for her.

Hackles raised as a welt of fury lashed me into a ball of anarchy.

Heart in my throat as my narrowed eyes raced to take in the scene.

A fucking square, plain box sat outside on the balcony. The fact that someone had to have climbed up undetected to get it there had my guts in a tangle. Couldn’t believe that someone was right outside this apartment while I was sliding into indecency on the couch.

I had to get to him.

End this piece of shit’s reign of intimidation.

My phone was still pressed to my ear, and I could hear Pyke shouting at Brody to take the woods to the south and he would hit up the other side.

I turned to Elena. Her stunning face had gone pale. Ashen as she stared at me from over the couch.

“I want you to stay right there, Elena. Do not fucking move from that couch until I tell you it’s safe. Do you understand?”

I hated fucking talking to her that way, but I knew from experience that she had trouble sitting tight. Walking straight into danger like she welcomed it every bit as much as me.

“Please,” I tacked on through the lump in my throat.

Her nod was slow. Understanding filling her stunning features.

Then I gave her a clipped nod, and I slowly moved for the balcony door, gaze roving over every inch.

Searching for any sign of movement.

Nothing.

Just that fucking box.

I unlocked the door and stepped out. Insides a gnarl of disappointment and guilt that someone had been right there and I’d been so distracted that I hadn’t even noticed.

Maybe more concerning was the fact that this monster had slinked in completely unnoticed when we had two guards assigned to the property.

Whoever it was had been watching. Knew the guards’ routine and their circuit.

I relocked the balcony door behind me. My heart thrashed at my ribs, and my breaths wheezed from my lungs as I crouched to pull back the lips of the lid to peek into the box.

It wasn’t even taped.

There was one thing in it.

A tarot card.

Death.

My hand shook like a bridled beast as I reached in and pulled it out.

Venom filled my mouth as I stared at it before I had the urge to flip it over. A message was written in red Sharpie on the back.

I squinted at the words.

The thief of joy demands none. A killer does not rejoice.

My chest stretched tight.

What in the ever-loving fuck?