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“Wait, what?”
I’m pressed to the wall, moving in the opposite direction of traffic. I nearly get to one set of the double doors thrown wide to the open-air dance floor when a hand grabs my shoulder. I spin to find Eva, eyes wide.
“Where is he?” she asks.
“He’s dead.”
Her hands drop away. “Thank you.” Her hand rests on her flat stomach, and a piece clicks into place.
She’s pregnant.
I guess she decided enough was enough—if not for her, then for the family she could have. Her child doesn’t need to follow in his father’s footsteps.
The dance floor is wide open. It’s easy to cross to the stage, and by the time I reach the halfway point, I can spot the figures on stage.
“Annie?” I call.
My friend waves. Her husband stands next to her.
“What happened?” I ask.
“Harrison wanted a distraction to keep the crowd on the dance floor.” Elle drops off the stage. “So, Tyler took the mic to keep everyone here.”
The numbness around my heart thaws a little.
“Beck said he’d steer everyone out of the hall. Last I saw, there were dozens of people running his way. I haven’t seen him since,” Annie says.
Shit. The crowds tonight were thick. It’s one thing to be on stage, but Beck alone, trying to get attention without security… It could have been dangerous.
I try calling Beck’s number but get voicemail. I send off a text.
Rae: Are you okay? You went AWOL.
Dots appear.
Beck: I’m safe.
I heave a sigh of relief.
“Where’s my brother?” Harrison demands.
We all look at one another.
Rae: Ash is missing.
Harrison grunts. “I’ll call—“
I hold up a hand as dots appear again. The seconds tick by.
When the response comes, it’s shorter than I expected.
Beck: He’s here too.
My brows rise, but I show Harrison the message.
“You guys,” Annie calls before I can decide how to respond. We all turn to find her holding up her phone. “I know it’s been a long night, but before we leave… Group photo? I haven’t gotten out in months.”
