Chapter 14 #2
I nodded and kept going, stalking through the place like I was SWAT and this was a raid.
Just as I was about to start going into the private rooms in the back, a hand lay on my shoulder. “I’m afraid those spaces are private.”
I turned to face Clive Rigaldi, the man who owned the place.
“I’m looking for someone,” I said. “One of your employees.”
“Well, if they’re here, then they are on my time.”
Breathing deep through my nose, I said, “Haz Maddox. He works here on the weekends.”
Clive smiled. “Ah, yes. Him. I’ve tried, but he always turns down the offer to work in my private rooms. A shame really. He’d make us both a lot of money.”
I pulled out my gun, jamming it beneath his chin. The security guards a few feet behind pulled out their weapons.
“He doesn’t work here anymore,” I said, flat. “And if I ever hear of you offering him anything, even a mint, ever again, I’ll cut off your dick and put it in your private rooms for your clients to amuse themselves with.”
Clive laughed beneath his breath. “Went and got yourself a crush, have you?”
Whatever he saw in my eyes wiped the humor right out of him. “All right.” He agreed. “He’s yours.”
I pulled the gun down.
His security rushed me, but Clive held up his hand, stopping them. “It’s fine,” he told them. “You’ve been a loyal client. Maybe even a friend.”
“I don’t have friends.”
“That actually hurts my feelings.” The new voice came right out of the shadows, catching everyone off guard.
I might have smiled if I weren’t half out of my mind about Haz. I didn’t even look over my shoulder. “Ghost.”
“I thought we were friends, Vaughn,” he said, leaning his elbow on my shoulder like he hadn’t just witnessed me threatening a man with a gun.
“I thought you were out of town,” I said, still watching Clive.
“I see how it is. Out of sight, out of mind,” Ghost quipped.
“He’s not here,” Clive told me.
I tucked the gun away and started for the exit.
Clive cleared his throat. “I think I’ll have to revoke your membership for this.”
“I’d expect nothing less,” I told him. “You stay away from what’s mine, and I’ll stay away from what’s yours.”
“We have an agreement,” Clive confirmed.
I left then, already planning where I’d go next. Where are you, little hazard?
I’d rip apart this entire city until I found him.
“Vaughn,” a voice called out behind me.
I turned. “I’m busy.”
Remember when I said I didn’t have any friends? I stand by that. But this guy would beg to differ.
Ghost’s long legs closed the distance between us easily, concern marring his face. “What’s going on?”
“I’m looking for someone.”
The corner of his mouth kicked up. He never could be serious for very long. “Your new crush?”
It didn’t surprise me in the least that Ghost had heard that entire exchange. Hell, he’d probably been tracking me since I walked through that door. He was the best at what he did. That’s how he got his name.
“It’s not a crush.” I snarled. “He’s mine.”
A flash of surprise crossed his face, but then it was gone. “Okay. Yeah. You need some help finding him?”
I considered it, then shook my head. “Not yet.”
He nodded. “All right. You got my number if you change your mind.”
Before getting in the SUV, I turned back. “Glad you’re back in town.”
His teeth flashed. They were stupid white. “You know I can’t stay away from you too long, bestie!”
I gave him the finger and drove off.
Ghost wasn’t my friend. He was like toilet paper that stuck to the bottom of your shoe. Clingy and annoying. But his skill set might come in handy later.
I headed in the direction of my apartment, potent frustration clouding my brain. I wasn’t used to this—having more questions than answers. I detested knowing so little about someone who took up an unfathomable amount of space in my head.
This is exactly why I don’t get involved with people. Look at you, running all over this city because you let a pair of mismatched eyes get under your skin.
I should go home. Stay there. Forget I’d ever met Hazier Maddox.
Something on the sidewalk caught my eye, and I slammed on the brakes, tires screeching, back end flailing. The cars around me honked and swerved, and several middle fingers waved.
Ignoring it all, I veered to the curb and got out, leaving the driver’s door wide open.
“Hazard!”
Down the sidewalk, a head lifted. The second he saw me, his feet stopped working, and he just stood there and stared.
I started forward. Okay, fine, I ran, refusing to take my eyes off him. The closer I got, the more obvious his condition became. His clothes were torn and bloody, his skin practically transparent, and the way he swayed made me think a light wind could blow him over.
“Where the hell have you been?” I demanded, his rough appearance making me crazed.
“I knew one of these buildings was yours,” he answered and then tipped over.
“Fuck,” I spat, scooping him into a bridal-style hold.
His body was limp, skin cold, and the bandage covering his stitches was gone. His eyelashes looked like bruises against his pale face, and there was blood smeared on his cheek.
I shook him, watching his head loll against my arm. “Hazard.”
No reply.
“Haz,” I demanded, carrying him to the SUV. His eyes didn’t flutter at all when I laid him across the cold leather of the back seat. Ignoring the traffic flying past us, I climbed inside to lean over him.
Grasping his chin, I pulled his face around, planning to yell. The second I laid eyes on his exhausted, bloodied face, my heart constricted. “Baby doll,” I rasped, dragging my knuckles over his cheek. “Look at me with those innocent eyes.”
His lashes did not flutter, but he made a light sound. “Kieran?”
“I’m right here, baby doll.”
“I don’t feel so good.”
Panic slapped me that he’d been shot, that he’d been wandering the city with a bullet wound. Apoplectic, I started pulling at his clothes, searching all that smooth, unblemished skin I’d washed just last night.
It was unblemished no more. There were no bullet wounds, but he was covered in cuts, some of them still bleeding. Patting down his legs, I noted the large tear in his jeans and a nasty cut on his knee.
“Whoever did this to you will beg for my mercy, and I will show them none,” I swore.
Back in the driver’s seat, I wrapped my hands around the steering wheel, the blood marring them bothering me for the first time in my life.
So no, there would be no forgetting Hazier Maddox. I was too far gone for that.
Blood and death were of no consequence to me until I had something to lose.