Page 8 of Air of Seduction
All the enforcers, with the exception of Noah, have tried to make me open up about Patricia every few years, but I’ve had no desire to discuss her or my reaction to her death. It’s my loss and not theirs, and I’ve never seen any point in talking to them about it. It won’t change the fact that she’s dead.
I purposely avoid looking at Payton. Instead, I glance around at people’s plates, which all seem to be mostly empty. “It’s time to go. I’ll be checking the place Barry was staying yesterday. Will someone come with me, or are you all going after the master’s servant in South London?”
“We’ll be joining you.” Lucas gets to his feet before pulling out his mate’s chair and helping her up. He then directs narrowed eyes at me. “Just remember not to kill him before we have questioned him about the whereabouts of the master and the women who were found killed in Whitechapel.”
I narrow my eyes right back at him and cross my arms over my chest. “That depends if he tries to hurt Olivia or not. If he does, I’ll take him out, no questions asked.”
Lucas glances at Payton before his gaze comes back to me. There’s a hint of amusement in his eyes. “I understand.”
Refusing to react to his subtle jab, I turn to Markus. “I hope you find the master and kill him before we can get there. But if you don’t, we’ll be joining you as soon as we’ve taken care of Barry and made sure Olivia is all right. Unless of course, Barry and Olivia aren’t there but have left a clue to where they’re currently staying.”
Markus gives me a short nod of acknowledgement. “Just be careful. And prepare for the unexpected. It would surprise me greatly if the master is staying with Barry, but it’s a possibility you have to take into account when you enter the premises. After witnessing the master’s new abilities last night, we can’t rule out that he’s got even more up his sleeve.”
My arms fall to my side as I shoot a glance at Payton. This is the main reason why she shouldn’t be joining us today, but since I’ve already given her my word that she can come, it’s up to me to make sure she doesn’t get hurt.
“We’ll be careful.” I meet Markus’s gaze before I turn around and head toward the door. “Let’s go.”
***
Payton
I hurry to get up when Ronan spins around and strides toward the door. Lucas waves me ahead of them, and I practically run after the blond man to catch up with him.
It’s obvious that Ronan doesn’t really want me to join them, but I don’t think that’s why he’s barely spared me a glance since he returned after storming out during breakfast. It’s got something to do with the person he lost. Whoever it was and whatever happened, he’s clearly not done grieving.
He leads us down some stairs to a large parking garage with a lot of expensive vehicles. I barely contain a gasp, but I don’t know why I’m surprised, considering the size of this house.
“Payton.” Ronan opens the passenger door of a large black SUV.
I shake my head at him. “I can ride in the back.”
“No.” His curt tone and stern gaze permit no arguments, and after just a second of hesitation, I relent and do what he wants.
Lucas and Erica get into the back seat.
As soon as I have settled into my seat, Ronan closes the door and moves around the front of the vehicle to the driver’s side.
His jaw is tense, and he yanks the door open more forcefully than necessary.
“Fasten your seat belt.” His order is accompanied by something brushing over my skin like a warm summer wind. The feeling is so sensual that I feel it between my legs. It’s strange. It’s almost like he touched me without coming anywhere near my skin.
I do as he says without uttering a word. His commanding tone shouldn’t have this effect on me. If anything, it should irritate me. But all I can do is stare at his gorgeous features while he puts the car in reverse and backs out of the parking space.
My chest tightens with an almost desperate urge to do something to smooth the anger off his face and make him smile. And to make him laugh like he did at breakfast before Aidan made his comment.
I have to think of some kind of fun distraction to make Ronan forget himself and laugh again. But this isn’t the time for that. It will have to wait until Olivia has been rescued, and I’m sure she’s safe and okay.
My fists clench in my lap, and I swallow hard. I don’t know what Barry has done to my friend since he took her. I haven’t really allowed myself to think about it for fear that it would render me useless in my search for her. Instead, I’ve spent all my time trying to locate her so I can get her back. But now horrible thoughts crowd my mind.
My lungs seize, and I dig my fingers into my thighs as I try to breathe. What if he’s hit her? Or even worse, what if he’s raped her?
She looked okay the other day when I saw them, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t hurt her. She could have been covering up her pain and fear while out in public. He might even have threatened her to do exactly that to prevent anyone from realizing he’s holding her against her will.
A large warm hand covers one of mine. “Relax, Payton. We’ll get her back. Don’t worry. I’ll kill him for what he’s done to her.”
My lungs unfreeze, and I suck in air with a gasp. I turn my hand around until our palms line up. Curling my fingers around his hand, I grab onto it like a lifeline. How can words of killing someone sound so good? It should be disturbing, but instead, it’s soothing.
“That’s it.” His voice is smooth and warm, and so unlike his commanding tone earlier. “This will all be over soon.”