Page 172 of The Betrayal
I walk slowly towards her bed, my fingertips brushing over her cotton pillowcase. Everything still smells of her and I crumble. Falling to my knees I reach for the pillow and pull it towards my chest as I hold it tightly.
This is what I have become.
A broken man.
I hear Kaleb’s footsteps, but I can’t look up at him.
“Keaton…” his voice rumbles through the room but I ignore him. “Why is there a poker chip on Arizona’s bed?”
My head snaps up just as my phone beeps.
Kaleb holds the chip between his finger and thumb and my eyes widen, heart falling out of my chest.
“I know where that’s from…” my heart stutters. Pulling my phone from my pocket I see a text message from Dex that simply says ‘Arizona’.
“Fuck!” I shout, all self-wallowing dissolving in an instant as I push to my feet.
“What is it?” Kaleb asks, narrowing his gaze on the chip.
“Tell the guys we’re heading to Vegas.”
We don't fuck around. We land and are already in two cars heading for the strip. My heart has been racing since we landed, and I am desperate to get to her. I just hope we're not too late.
Nate is already on his computer searching the hotel CCTV. I have been trying to call Dex but he isn't answering.
I leave another voicemail.
“Dex, please, call me. I'm in Vegas,” I cut him off just as my phone screams in my hand. It's him. “Hello,” I pant, feeling like my heart is in my throat and I can't breathe.
“I'm so sorry man, I didn't mean to ignore you and when I tried to call you back, your phone was going to voicemail and it makes sense now, you were already in the sky.”
“Yeah.” Is all I manage. I feel sick.
“How did you figure out Vegas?” Dex asks.
“Kaleb found a casino chip under her pillow when we went to the hospital where she was last seen,” I swallow the thickness down, the lump so far lodged into my throat I am desperate to throw up to just try and ease it a little.
“Fuck,” Dex whistles.
“Look, I don't mean to rush you off the phone but where was she? Was it you that found her?” I have a million more questions, but I don't have time. Nate is giving me eyes from the front seat of the escalade we’re currently cruising in.
“I didn't see her, it was Sage.”
“Why didn't she get her? Why did she leave her?”
“Arizona told her to. She didn't want to put Sage at risk.”
I suck in a sharp intake, hand covering my mouth and even in all of this hell, she still puts others before herself.
My selfless, beautiful Arizona.
“Where is she?”
“Laced Promises.”
“Thanks for everything Dex.”
“Look, before you go. Me and Sage are still in Vegas. We promised each other we would stay here until we knew she was safe. Sage worried you weren't coming, Sage thought there may have been an ulterior motive,” and that feels like a knife in my back, but I get it. Look what Xavier done to Amora.