Kode's POV during Wren's book.
KODE
There’s no fucking excuse for her not answering my phone calls. I haven’t done anything wrong. I don’t think… Nope. Nothing.
So why the hell isn’t she answering?
All of my texts have gone unanswered as well. She’s not even that close with Allie, so I’m confused about what’s going on right now. And sick. So fucking sick. Maybe I’m being paranoid. Pete couldn’t just find her. There’s no way.
Even though it’s been going straight to voicemail, I call again. To my surprise, the fucking phone rings.
“Hey, Kode,” Tria says with a smile in her voice, and my entire body relaxes.
“Baby, I’ve been going out of my fucking mind worried about you. Long story short, Pete is on the run. He broke free.”
“When?” she asks, confused and quiet.
“Today. Several hours ago. I’ve been calling you since I heard. Listen, I need you to go somewhere safe and stay there. I’m coming to you. I don’t want you on the roads. Got anywhere close by?”
“Yeah. We’re close to Allie’s house, and since Wren just went viral with that epic video, I’m sure it’ll be safe to stay there.”
“No fucking clue what video you’re talking about. But go there and lock yourself in. I’m on the way,” I tell her as I turn my car around and head back toward Allie’s house. Fortunately it isn’t too far away.
“Be careful,” Tria says softly. “I’ll see you when you get here.”
She hangs up before I can say anything else, and I toss my phone to the side while speeding up.
She’s safe, Kode. Calm the fuck down.
Weaving in and out of traffic, I try to control my heartbeat as my grip tightens on the steering wheel. What I wouldn’t do for a fucking shot of tequila right now. I think that will be the first thing I do when I have Tria locked into our house safe and sound.
It takes longer than I thought it would even as I drive like a fucking maniac, but the second I turn on her street, I feel relief… Until I see the motherfucking flashing lights. My chest turns solid and heavy, and my heart slips into my throat when there’s no room left for it to beat anywhere else. I skid to a halt near the chaos, and my veins turn to ice as everything on me chills. My stomach clenches, my head pounds, and rage burns hot against the icy veins when I see Tria’s car… Or what’s left of it.
Words refuse to leave my mouth when white-hot rage consumes me… Right in front of me, they’re wrestling with HIM. That fucking dead son of a bitch.
I don’t even realize I’ve charged until two men in black security uniforms—not cops—are grappling me and trying to haul me back, even though I almost rip free from their holds. “Let me go!” I yell, struggling harder as my eyes stay trained on the bleeding son of a bitch I want to rip apart. “Let me go!” I repeat. “I’m going to fucking kill him. Let me the fuck go!” I roar.
“Kode!” The strangled, choked word has my eyes darting over to see the bruised and battered version of my girl, and everything in me breaks loose as I stare in shock.
As much as I want to kill Pete, Tria looks like she’s on the verge of collapsing, and a sick, twisting knot of regret balls up inside me. When she stumbles outside, clutching her side, the guys let me go, and I dive for her, scooping her up in my arms as I kiss her forehead.
“I’m so sorry, baby,” I whisper across her forehead, kissing it again.
“Not your fault,” she says, wincing as though speaking hurts.
“Shhh, Tria. Don’t speak. Let’s get them to check you out,” I say with a knot in my throat, trying not to upset her more by showing her how fucking freaked I am.
I don’t know how or when, but one day, I will fucking kill Pete. Then I’ll piss on his grave.