Page 53 of Shattered King

“Bret Tanners is expecting us,” Hunter said.

He took our names then spoke into the headpiece attached to his ear. Another guy arrived a few minutes later and motioned us to follow.

We were led into the main club. The music was loud, and the place was already pretty packed. There was a main dance floor down stairs and a second level that was sectioned off—a VIP area. That’s where we were taken. Hunter glanced down at me, and I could see he was on full alert. I could also see he was as confused as I was. I’d expected to be shown to Bret’s office, not some table surrounded by people. Drinks and bottles littered the surface and several people were openly doing drugs.

Bret was sitting back, a woman pressed up against him on either side. When he spotted me, I noticed his eyes were glassy and bloodshot. A lazy smile spread across his lips.

He was high.

I took him in, having a hard time recognizing this Bret.

My old friend disentangled from the women beside him and headed our way, lifting his arms as he approached, his grin getting wider.

“Lucinda. God, I’ve missed you. It’s been too long.”

His hands went to my shoulders and he pulled me in for a hug. He was sweaty and gripped too tight, but I knew how worried he’d been about me, so I hugged him back just as tight, happy to have my friend back.

“I’ve missed you, too,” I said against his shoulder.

Hunter didn’t let go of my hand, pulling me back in close as soon as Bret let me go. I looked up at him brow raised. He wasn’t looking at me—his eyes were locked on Bret.

“You didn’t say you were bringing a friend,” Bret said, eyeing Hunter right back.

I quickly tried to steer this meeting in the right direction. “I was hoping we could go somewhere quiet and talk?”

He sniffed, wiping the back of his hand under his nose, eyes darting around the club. “Yeah, sure. Of course.”

I hated seeing him like this; he’d always hated drugs. I was starting to doubt he’d have anything useful for us, but I had to at least try. Maybe after today we could spend some time together, maybe I could get through to him, help make some changes in his life.

He turned and led us to a door at the back of the VIP section. I saw Hunter slip his hand inside his jacket pocket. I knew he had his phone in there, that it was a simple as hitting a button to alert the other guys if he felt something was off.

Knowing Hunter was worried sent nerves spiraling though me. They only shot higher when that same hand went under his jacket, to the gun on his opposite hip. Surely he didn’t think Bret would try and do something to me?

Bret punched in a code when we reached the door and tilted his head, silently telling us to follow. We entered a short hall and he motioned us into his office. “In here.”

That’s when a toilet flushed opposite us.

The bathroom door opened. Derek, Pierce’s man, walked right on out.

Derek froze, and Hunter cursed.

Everything happened in a blur after that. Hunter shoved me behind him then slammed his fist into Bret’s throat. Bret dropped like a stone as Hunter pulled his gun and aimed it at Derek before I was fully aware of what was going on.

“Hands where I can see them.”

Derek did as he was told, and Hunter started to back us up to the door we’d just come through. The sound of feet pounding came from the other end of the hall, and Derek smirked. They were coming for me. Oh God. Was Pierce here?

A loud thud behind us made me jump. Hunter jerked me out of the way a second before the door flew open. Jude stood there breathing heavily. Hunter grabbed my hand, and we were running. We took the stairs to the lower level. Jude was in front of us, clearing a path with his massive shoulders like a human bowling ball.

We hit the street and Hunter picked me up and started sprinting. The lights on his SUV flashed as we drew near. He opened the passenger door and shoved me in. He was in the driver’s side a second later. Something hit the back of his car. Were they shooting at us?

Jude was still outside returning fire, then he dove into the back and we took off.

I twisted in my seat. “What about Neco?”

“He’s fine,” Jude said. “He’s gonna try and follow Derek. Maybe he’ll lead us to Pierce.”

I started shaking. “I can’t believe it . . .” I shook my head. “He was a sweet kid. Sad and mixed up, but we were friends, best friends.” I turned to Hunter. “I didn’t think he’d . . . he’d betray me like I’d never meant anything to him.”