Page 174 of The Betrayal

We all look each other, and I give a firm nod.

“Kaleb is just walking up towards Laced Promises, only one security guard,” Nate continues and I try and silence him a little. I am trying to keep my head in the game and not go into a panic.

I’m not panicking in case something happens to us.

I am panicking that we're too late.

“Kaleb is approaching the guard. Hang back,” Nate orders us and we do. We fall back just in front of the club, the three of us spread through the crowd.

Silence fills our ears and my heart is rushing in my chest.

After five minutes I hear the static in my ear, the sound of Nate's heavy breathing. We wait with bated breath for his command.

“Move.”

We walk into the building and follow Nate's instructions, when we see Kaleb and the out cold security guard.

“What the fuck happened to distract?' I hiss, looking over my shoulder as we surround the guard who is on the floor.

“Wasn't working, now get the fuck in there before the cops show up.”

“Already got it covered,” Nate says as three men dressed in uniform walk towards us, dragging the body away.

“Let's go,” Xavier rasps as he pushes through the red door.

“What about me?” Kaleb asks, hope in his voice.

“Go across to the restaurant and get yourself an iced coffee princess,” Nate mutters in our ears.

“Are you serious? You're cutting me out again? Just like you did with Connie. I'm relevant!” he shouts out and I twist my lips and bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing.

His eyes bounce between the three of us but none of us say anything.

“We don't have fucking time for this,” I grit, teeth clenched, and jaw wound tight.

“Fuck you,” Kaleb sulks, turning his back and walking away. Xavier's low chuckle vibrates through me.

“Is he always like that?”

I sigh.

“Pretty much,” Titus says, following Xavier and only when I am inside the club, does the fear prick at my skin again. What makes it worse is that no doubt Wolfe the weasel is watching our every move.

“Move upstairs, you need to slip into the corridor which is tucked between room three and four. It's narrow, but once down there you want the eighth door on the left.”

The three of us keep mute. I slip my gun out the back of my suit pants just as Xavier and Titus do. I pull the safety catch and make sure it is ready to shoot if needed.

Titus slips down between the rooms and uneasiness coats my skin. Xavier nods for me to follow behind Titus, then he stays close behind me.

“Perfect,” Nate talks quietly in our ears. We have small bodycams on so he can see where we're going. “Sixth door on the left,” he reminds us.

We all stop outside the door, all eyes locking on each other’s, and I inhale heavily. Titus gives one final nod as he reaches for the handle and twists it slowly. He pushes the door open and my jaw goes lax when I see Arizona in front of me, covered in blood. My heart drops in my chest, my knees weak and I feel like my legs will buckle at any moment. I edge forward, but am stopped in my tracks when everything moves too fast because the next thing I hear is the sound of a gunshot, echoing around the room.

CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT

ARIZONA

TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE