True Colors (The Masks #1)(60)

Libby and I rushed to his side, propping his arms over our shoulders.

“Damn it,” he mumbled. “My head’s spinning, man.”

“What did he hit you with?”

“I didn’t see. Something hard and metal.”

I swallowed, praying it wasn’t the butt of a gun...or a tire iron. The Burbank newspaper article flashed through my brain.

“Whatever he hit you with was nasty, Micah. You’ve probably got a concussion,” Libby said and then looked at me. “We need to get him to the hospital.”

“Not without Indie.”

“But Micah—”

“We’re not leaving without her.” His languid voice was still firm.

“He’s right.” I shot a look at Libby. “We can’t leave Indie behind.”

Libby knew I was right, but she was scared...and she had every right to be. Big, strong Micah was a mess and we’d practically have to carry him out of here.

I steadied him against me as we made our way out the door and down the hallway.

“Where do you think she’d be?” I whispered.

Micah methodically took in his surroundings, obviously scrambling for recall. He winced, annoyed with himself that things were blank. “We came up the stairs and went straight to the office,” he muttered as he looked down the hallway. “Let’s try down here first.” He pointed ahead and we struggled our way forward.

“Should we just try every room?” I glanced at Libby.

“I guess so.” She made a face, looking as uncertain as I felt.

Leaning away from Micah, I checked the first door I came up to, my nerves rattling against each other as I eased the door open. The room looked tidy and untouched. I quickly shut the door and moved onto the next. It was slow progress with having to drag Micah along with us. I was tempted to suggest he wait for us in the hall, but I knew that would never fly.

We reached the grand central staircase and I toyed with the idea of voicing my suggestion. Micah would wait at the top of the stairs. As soon as we had Indie, we’d collect him and make a beeline for the door. Better yet, he could work his way down the stairs while he was waiting for us. I opened my mouth to speak, but then heard a muffled scream. We all did. Our bodies pinged tight and still as we listened.

Come on, scream again.

Although the noise was one of distress, I begged for a repeat. Surely it was Indie. Any noise she made would help us find her.

“That way,” Micah whispered, tipping his head.

Following his gaze, Libby and I walked him down the hallway, listening for another scream. We got lucky, if you can call it that, a minute later when we heard a sharp crack and then a wail.

“In there.” Micah’s voice was like steel as he pointed to the door at the end of the hallway.

We hustled towards it and I was sure my gut was going to drop out the bottom of my pants by the time I got there. Another crack and this time a whimper.

“You know I don’t like doing this, Indie, but you leave me know choice. I expect you to be loyal!” Liam’s voice was pulled tight, like a string that was about to snap. “Now tell me what you were doing here with Micah!”

Silence.

“You tell me, Indie, or things are going to get really ugly.” His menacing tremor made me want to puke.

I didn’t want to open the door and see, but I knew I had to. My fingers were clammy as they wrapped around the knob and I eased the door open.

Poor Indie was on the bed, her wrists tied to the slats of the headboard. She’d been stripped to her underwear and her thighs and torso were covered in red welts from Liam’s belt. Her eyes were round with fear, but I didn’t miss the acceptance either. She’d endured this before and I wanted to rip Liam’s heart out. Looking at Micah’s shocked expression, I wasn’t the only one.

Liam’s eyes were blazing as he raised his belt and before I could think about it, I yelled, “Liam, stop!”

He froze mid-action, his eyes clearing as if coming out of a haze. His usual mask was not in place, so his malice was there for all of us to see. Libby shrunk back from it, while Micah lurched forward.

“You asshole. I’m gonna kill you!” His lunge fell short as Jell-O legs kicked in again. Liam stepped towards him, whipping the belt in his hands. Micah caught it and tore it from his grasp as he fell to his knees. Liam’s dark expression rippled with fear. He was taken aback by Micah’s strength in spite of his wounded state.

Liam’s gaze shot past me as if he were looking for someone. The foreboding that shadowed his expression told me that the person he was hoping would burst through the door to help him wasn’t here.

That one look gave me the confidence I needed to step further into the room and reach for Micah.

“Libby, untie Indie.”

She jumped to do my bidding, rushing to the bed and keeping her eyes away from Liam. Her hands were trembling as she reached for the ropes.

“She’s mine. Don’t touch her.” Liam’s black voice made Libby pause.

“Don’t listen to him, Libby.”

Liam smothered me with his molten gaze. I tried not to let it unnerve me as I helped Micah stand. He was wrapping the belt around his knuckles, looking ready to smash it into Liam’s face.

“Stay calm.” I squeezed Micah’s elbow before looking back to Libby. She was still standing by the bed with her arms by her sides, locked in place by Liam’s pulsing wrath. “It’s okay, Libby. Set Indie free, Liam’s not going to touch you.”