Page 46 of Deep (Chicago Underground 8)
“Whoever is fucking with me took your brother. That’s how we find him.”
“Shelly didn’t do this.”
He ignored me and pulled out his cell phone. “Grab a couple guys and meet me someplace.” He rattled off Shelly’s new address by memory.
“Stop,” I said, louder now. Stronger.
He didn’t bother to look over. “If she didn’t do it, she has nothing to be worried about.”
Something inside me snapped. “Doesn’t have anything to be worried about? An armed man is about to burst into her house! Along with other armed men! It’s a home invasion, Philip, so yeah, I think she has something to worry about.”
“I’m not taking any chances.” With your safety, I heard in the silence that followed.
Tears sprang to my eyes. “You’re just like them. All of them. Swinging around your guns, not caring who gets hurt.”
Philip gave me a strange look, and I realized I was visibly shaking. I was shouting too, my words ringing in the silence.
“All right,” he said softly, but it was too late.
Hot bands of panic tightened around my chest. Oh no. Not now. Now here.
Not where he can see me.
I couldn’t control it. I never could. My lungs squeezed and shuddered, desperate for air. My mouth opened, and a horrible wheezing sound came out. Tears blurred my vision.
Lights danced behind my eyes. Don’t pass out.
Philip’s voice pierced the darkness, a hand reaching underwater. “Kitten?” Then I had my head between my legs, facing the floor. “Breathe. Just breathe.”
The calmness of his voice anchored me to the present. I wasn’t tied up in a bathroom. Not held down in a swanky hotel suite. I was safe. Well, as safe as I could be with one of the most powerful criminals in the city.
It took me longer to breathe normally. He rubbed soothing circles across my back.
“I’m sorry,” I croaked.
“My men will take you back to the safe house. I’ll go in and see Shelly—unarmed.”
“No.” My voice was hoarse as I pushed myself upright. “I’m coming with you.”
“You’re in no shape to—” He must have seen the raw determination on my face, because he cut off with a curse. “How long have you had those?”
“Long enough.”
“Do you see someone?”
“I have medicine, but I—” I looked down to hide my face, flushed with embarrassment. “It’s been a while since I had an incident. I hoped it was over.”
He frowned. “You should have told me.”
That made me laugh, incredulous. “Why? So you could mock me?”
His whole body went unnaturally still. “Is that what you think I’d do?”
“I don’t know. Why wouldn’t you? I’m sure you’ve seen a lot worse things in your life, and you don’t wake up crying in the middle of the night. Isn’t that what you called me? A broken little girl?”
God, why would I mention crying? Now it was happening, a sob trapped in my chest, hot tears welling in my eyes. Then I was coming apart, crying as if my world was ending. Only my world ended years ago.
“Ah, no, kitten. No. Don’t cry.” He pulled me into his lap and wrapped his arms around me. His mouth went to my hair, murmuring gentle orders to stop, please stop, I can’t watch you cry.
