Forever (Empire High Book 8)

Chapter 3

Friday

Matt

When Mr. Pruitt had taken Brooklyn from her uncle’s funeral, I’d tried to come to her rescue. But I’d gone to the wrong apartment. I’d had no idea that Mr. Pruitt had a second hidden apartment where he’d taken her. I’d tried to show up. But I’d failed her.

The second time she was kidnapped, I’d thought she was dead. I’d had this hope in my chest that maybe…maybe she was still alive. I’d done everything in my power to find her. But I was just a kid. And I’d failed her again.

Now though? I knew exactly where she was thanks to Nigel’s network of houseboy spies or whatever the fuck he’d said. And I wasn’t a dumb kid anymore. I wouldn’t fail this time.

I looked up at the Locatelli Hotel that was just down the street from Club Onyx.

“We shouldn’t walk through the front doors,” Tanner said. “They probably have cameras everywhere.”

Rob nodded. “I hate it, but Tanner is probably right for the first time ever. Maybe we can sneak in the back door?”

“No, the back door will be tightly guarded,” Tanner said. “Every man knows you must protect your back entrance from intruders.”

“What exactly are we talking about right now?” Rob asked.

“Proper etiquette for locking doors.”

“Are you sure that’s what you’re referring to? Because it kind of sounds like you think Magnus King has a very specific fear of being taken by behind from a stranger.”

“Get off it, old chap. This isn’t a time for jokes. My best friend’s fiancée has been taken.”

“Matt’s my best friend. And you’re the one procrastinating by talking about back doors…”

“The kitchen,” I said. Brooklyn told me that when she had to sneak into the hotel at homecoming, she’d gone through the kitchen entrance.

“Magnus King takes it in the butt in the kitchen?” Rob asked.

“What? No. We can sneak in through the kitchen. What the hell are you two talking about?” I was trying not to pay attention to their bickering.

“I have no idea,” Tanner said. “I actually have a list of all Club Onyx members sexual preferences and Magnus King has never once taken part in…”

“Stop it,” I said.

“He started it,” Tanner and Rob said at the same time and pointed at each other.

For fuck’s sake. How did they not realize how similar they were? I should have asked James and Mason to come with me instead.

I walked past the first alley. There weren’t any trash bins, so that must not have been where the kitchen was located. I hurried toward the alley on the other side of the hotel. Bingo. There were trash bins back here, but you could barely smell them over the aroma of freshly baked bread. The kitchen door was propped open with a brick. Brooklyn was a genius.

“Wait.” Tanner grabbed my arm. “What’s the plan now? Should we…”

“Dress like waiters?” Rob and Tanner said at the same time. They glared at each other.

It wasn’t a bad idea. We were practically dressed the part already. I pulled off my tux jacket and tossed it to the side. Rob and Tanner did the same. Except Tanner folded his and gently put it on top of Rob and my discarded jackets.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“It was expensive.”

“You cheap ass, you’re a billionaire.”

“Because I’m fiscally responsible and never throw anything away like you millennials. Anyone who’s lived through the depression understands.”

“So my great grandparents understand you?” And you’re a millennial too.

He shrugged. “I mean…probably. Not that I’ve ever met Bobby or Clara. Because that wouldn’t make sense. Since I’m your age.”

“Younger than me.” And how did he know my great grandparents’ names?

“Right. It’s hard to keep track of time. Let’s focus on the task at hand, shall we? Because if you’re not careful, you’ll blink and 50 years will go by.” He walked through the open door.

Rob caught my arm before I could follow. “Why did you have to bring him too? He’s so annoying.”

“Can you please just get along for two seconds? All that matters right now is that we save Brooklyn.”

Rob sighed. “Yeah. For Sanders.”

Tanner walked back out wearing an apron and a chef’s hat. “For my waiters.” He chucked two aprons at us.

I didn’t know how he’d gotten those so fast. But it didn’t really matter. I put the apron on and tied it behind my back. We followed Tanner into the kitchen.

“Back to work!” Tanner yelled in a demanding voice.

“Yes, Chef Rhodes!” everyone in the kitchen shouted. There weren’t many people working this late, but the handful of line cooks in here looked terrified as Tanner walked past them. Like they were worried he’d yell at them or stab them with a knife or something.

How in the hell did he convince them that he… Never mind.I didn’t care. They were probably just tired from working all day and weren’t paying attention to the fact that Chef Rhodes was not the executive chef here.

Tanner winked at me and turned back to his new staff. “And what are you going to say if someone asks you about where I am?”

“That no one has seen you or your friends, Chef Rhodes!” they all yelled in unison.

Okay then.

“This way.” Tanner walked backwards through a door.

Rob and I hurried after him.

“Have you been here before?” Rob asked.

“No, never. Why would I come here when I frequent Club Onyx? And keep your head down, Robert, there’s cameras everywhere.”

“But they called you Chef Rhodes,” Rob said as he trained his eyes on the ground.

Tanner shrugged. “Because they know how to show respect. Unlike some people I know.”

“Where do you think they’re keeping her?” I asked before the two of them could start fighting again. “Shit.” I pulled them down a different hallway just as a security guard walked past in the other hall. “Do they seriously patrol the place?”

“Well, they have something invaluable, do they not?” Tanner said. “And Magnus King has a penthouse suite in all the Locatelli Hotels around the world. They’ll be up there.”

I found a stairwell and pushed open the door, doing my best to keep my head down. “Why do you know so much about Magnus King?”

“Because I’ve been trying to find him his perfect match for years. The more details I know the better. I feel like I’m close.”

Rob laughed. “You own a sex club, man.”

“The purpose of Club Onyx is to find true love…never mind. Neanderthals will never understand.”

“Did you just call me a neanderthal?”

“If the hideous shoe fits.”

“What’s wrong with my shoes?” Rob looked down.

“They’re not Odegaards.”

“Of course they’re not. That company sucks. The owner is a lying, crazy person with an insane complex that makes him label friendships inaccurately.”

“I’m going to kill you by beating you to death with your basic ass shoes,” Tanner said.

“Whoa.” I stepped between them on the stairs. “Enough.”

“He started it,” they both said at the same time again and pointed to each other.

It was like hanging out with Scarlett and Sophie. “Do you two not understand the severity of what is going on right now? Brooklyn needs me. And for once in my fucking life, I’m not going to let her down. So get your shit together or leave.”

Tanner cracked his knuckles. “We’re ready. Right, Robert?”

I looked down at the step Rob was on.

Rob nodded. “Shit, someone is coming!” He gestured up the stairs where the sounds of footsteps were coming from. “Act normal.”

Tanner started whistling and then ran up the stairs toward the noise.

“That’s not normal!” Rob hissed. “And why are you running toward the person?” But he started running up too.

Fuck.I ran up the stairs after them.

“Top of the morning to you, good sir,” Tanner said.

The security guard stared at him. “What did you just say to me?”

“Did I say something weird?” Tanner asked and turned to us. “I don’t think I did.”

You definitely did.

The security guard pulled out his radio. But before he clicked on the button, Tanner karate chopped him right in the throat.

He coughed and bent forward and then toppled to his knees.

What the fuck?!

He fell onto his side and didn’t move at all.

“Did you just kill him?” Rob asked.

“No.” Tanner cocked his head to the side. “I mean, I don’t think so. I’m a little rusty. I hope I didn’t hit his throat too low.” He shook his head. “No, he’s just asleep. I’m sure of it.” He smiled. “Not rusty after all. High five.”

I just stared at him. I was seriously worried he’d just killed that security guard, despite what he said.

“Fucking ninja,” Rob said instead of high-fiving him.

“No, I’m not classically trained in that.” Tanner leaned down and grabbed the guard’s radio. “Come on, we better go before he wakes up.” And then he started sprinting up the stairs again.

Rob and I glanced at each other. Yeah, I had no idea what that was either. I grabbed Rob’s arm and we followed Tanner up the stairs.

We didn’t run into anyone else. But Rob and I were completely out of breath by the time we reached the top floor. Tanner was just standing there breathing normally though.

“How are you not tired?” Rob said. “This hotel is fucking tall.”

“Oh. I lift the weights. And…cycle? Yes. And…what’s that other thing people do all the time to stay fit? Shot put.”

“Who the hell shot puts?” Rob asked.

“Olympic athletes. Check yourself. And I feel like I’m really close.” He looked a little dazed. “Like…really close.”

“Well, you did say she was on the top floor,” Rob said.

“No. I’m talking about Magnus King’s match. I have the oddest sensation that it could happen tonight.”

Rob laughed. “Why are you even thinking about this right now?”

“Because it’s a full time job. You’d be terrible at it.”

“Running Odegaard?”

“I have many jobs, Robert!”

Jesus.“Stop it. Seriously. We need to focus…” my voice trailed off as a guard walked out the door talking into his radio.

“There’s no sign of any intruders yet…” his voice trailed off when he saw us. “What are you all doing out of the kitchen?”

Rob karate chopped him in the throat. And…nothing happened. “Fuck,” Rob said. “Why did it work when Tanner did it?” He looked down at his hand in confusion.

The guard grunted and stepped toward him.

But Tanner spun around and kicked the back of the guard’s knees, making his legs buckle. Tanner did a weird back flip over his head and then slammed the base of his palm into the center of the guard’s chest. The guard gasped for air and then fell backward, his body sprawled out in the middle of the stairwell. Completely lifeless.

“What the fuck, Tanner?!” I yelled.

“Sorry.” He winced. “Like I said…I’m a little rusty.”

“Stop killing people!”

“I haven’t killed anyone. He’s asleep. Just like the last one.”

“I don’t think he’s breathing,” Rob said.

“He is. It’s just shallow. You’re acting like I’m an evil assassin.”

“I have no idea what you are!” Rob yelled. “That’s the whole problem. Oh my God, we’re all going to jail.” He groaned. “I’m not meant for prison. I like tits too much. Fuck my life. Now I need to talk to Magnus King about how to properly protect my back door.”

“We’re not going to prison,” I said calmly, even though I wasn’t entirely sure. “They kidnapped Brooklyn. And we were just…defending ourselves.”

“Neither of them ever touched us,” Rob said.

“It’s fine,” Tanner said. “He’ll wake up.” He kicked the guard’s lifeless leg.

“Are you part of the mafia too?” Rob looked totally freaked out.

Tanner laughed. “They wish. They’d never be able to afford me. Plus I’m too busy running all my companies and hanging out with you guys. All your dramas are practically a full time gig, you know. And look.” He snapped his fingers in front of the guy’s face and whispered something to him.

The security guard groaned but didn’t open his eyes.

At least he was conscious. I was relieved that Tanner hadn’t killed him.

“See,” Tanner said and put his hand on Rob’s shoulder. “No need to take it in the butt after all. But seriously do you feel that in the air?”

“What, a dick?”

Tanner laughed. “No. Love, man. There’s love in the air. Seriously, I’m so close I can taste it!”

I’d only seen Tanner look this excited when he’d told me that Kennedy fucked Felix.

“Are you implying that Brooklyn is going to fall in love with Magnus King?” Rob asked.

“Huh,” Tanner said. “I didn’t think of that. But it wouldn’t be unprecedented. She’s fallen in love with her captor before…”

“Quit it.” I glared at him. “No one is falling in love with Brooklyn tonight.”

“She was naked when he took her,” Rob said. “And if your painting is accurate, he might fall in love with her…”

I hit him in the back of his head.

“Ow.” He rubbed the spot. “I’m just saying we should be prepared for what we’re about to walk into.”

“I’d be so pissed if that’s the love in the air I feel,” Tanner said. “I didn’t even introduce them. What a waste.”

What the fuck were the two of them going on about? “Brooklyn isn’t sleeping with Magnus King right now.” I knew my girl. She was a fighter. She was the strongest person I knew, even if sometimes she didn’t believe it. And I’d bet she was punching Magnus King square in the nuts right now.