26. King
TWENTY-SIX
KING
K ing moved through the compound with a tight jaw and a racing pulse, doing his best to keep his worry under control.
They would find her.
It was entirely possible she was outside somewhere, having a moment to herself. At least, that’s what he hoped she was doing.
The last thing he wanted to do was cause a scene and put everyone on edge, but every second that passed without finding Ella made his chest tighten. His gut was screaming at him that something was wrong.
He checked the playground first, scanning the swings and slides where the Littles often played. Nothing.
He moved to the old oak tree on the edge of the property, where she loved to sit and read. Empty.
The motorcycle shop. Nothing.
His grip tightened around his phone as he walked the entire perimeter of the compound.
Where the hell was she?
As he turned the corner near the back of the clubhouse, his frustration mounting, he collidedwith someone.
He barely budged, but the person let out a smalloof, taking a step back.
King’s hands clenched into fists when he saw who it was.
Janelle.
His entire body went rigid. His already thin patience snappedat the sight of her, looking smug as ever.
She smiled up at him, brushing a hand over her low-cut top. “King. Daddy. I hoped I’d find you alone.”
King’s lip curled in disgust. “Where is she?” he growled.
There was no doubt in his mind Janelle had something to do with Ella’s disappearance.
Janelle blinked innocently. “Who?”
His handsitchedto grab her, to shake the truth out of her, but he forced himself to stay still. Barely.
“Don’t play games with me, Janelle,” he barked. “Where’s Ella?”
She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Why do youcare? You had me once, and now you’re wasting your time on her ?” She took a step closer, lifting a manicured hand to touch his arm. “She’s not your type, King. Newsflash, she belongs in City Hall, and you’re a biker.”
Kingjerkedaway from her touch, his glare turning ice-cold. “Jesus Christ. You’re the one who slashed my tire, aren’t you? I don’t know how I didn’t put that together at the time. I should have known.”
“You can’t prove anything, King.”
He took a threatening step toward her. “Youhavethree seconds to tell me where she is.”
Janelle scoffed, tilting her head arrogantly. “And if I don’t?”
King took a slow, deliberate step toward her, towering over her with barely restrained fury. “Then I stop askingnicely.”
Janelle’s glare faltered, but she crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
King let out a sharp breath through his nose, his temper flaring hotter. “Last chance, Janelle.”
Janelle squared her shoulders. “Or what? You’re going to threaten me? Hurt me?”
“Idon’thurt women,” he growled, his voice deadly quiet. “But Iswearto God, if something happens to Ella because of you, I will make an exception.”
Janelle let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “You’re sopathetic,” she spat. “Losing your damn mind over some needy?—”
King snapped.
His voiceboomedthrough the night. “Where the fuck is she, Janelle?”
Janellejumped, eyes wide for a split second before she masked it with an evil grin that made him want to vomit.
“So testy. You’re kind of hot when you get all angry like this.”
Just as he was about to truly lose it on her, a commotion coming toward them caught his attention, and his heart nearly pounded right out of his chest at the sight of it.