Page 102 of Midnight of Ashes
Maddox stiffened. “You’re thinking we have a traitor?”
“Do you have any better ideas?” The idea had my gut tightening in a painful twist. We’d already had a human employee let the Corbetts into my club. But this would be an entirely different kind of betrayal.
“All the enforcers knew,” Maddox said quietly. “They may have told partners or friends. We didn’t demand it be kept secret.”
And why would we? We trusted our people. But unless the Corbetts or the cops had managed drone surveillance without our knowledge, this was the only option.
I scrubbed a hand over my stubbled jaw. “We need to figure this out, and fast.”
Maddox jerked his head in a nod. “Cops are going to want to talk to Hayden again.”
My hands fisted as my beast rose to the surface. He wouldn’t want anyone near Hayden after claiming her, but people who might wish her harm? That would be a recipe for disaster.
Maddox studied me for a moment. “Can you keep your dragon in check?”
“Yes,” I ground out. But I wasn’t so sure.
Maddox read that and cursed. “We call in the lawyer.”
“It’s going to take him hours to get here. Even if he takes the jet.” Our overpriced shark worked out of San Francisco, so it wasn’t like his office was around the corner.
“Let’s get him on the way, just in case they make the request.”
I nodded. “Call him.”
A knock sounded on my door. “Come in.”
Easton eased it open. “We’re all ready to go. You guys coming with?”
My body was moving before my mouth could answer. I couldn’t imagine letting Hayden go to campus without me. Not when we didn’t know who we could trust, and the cops could still be combing the place.
“We’re coming,” I bit out.
Easton simply nodded and headed back toward the foyer. Maddox and I followed behind him.
Hayden was waiting in the entryway, bracketed by Cáel and Knox. As if by sticking close, they could ease the anxiety thrumming through her. Even if I hadn’t been able to smell it lacing the air, it would’ve been as clear as day. She wrung her hands over and over, her skin pale.
I crossed the space, taking her face in my hands. “We’re not going to let anything happen to you.”
“I know,” she whispered.
Such unwavering faith.
Hayden looked up into my eyes. “How did they know?”
That sinking feeling was back. “I don’t know. But I’m sure as hell going to find out.”
She worried a spot on the inside of her cheek. “I don’t want any of you to get in trouble.”
Knox scoffed. “Never going to happen.”
God, I hoped he was right. I’d never had the cops paying this close attention before. At least the shed was hidden deep on our property. It would take days, possibly weeks, for the cops to search our land, even if they could get a search warrant. Still, I’d need to make sure it had been cleansed of all evidence of Brent.
We’d need an extra dose of hydrogen peroxide. The only thing that could truly be trusted to clean all remnants of blood. Add that to the list.
I brushed my lips across Hayden’s forehead. “Let’s get you to school.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re coming?”
