That man and a few others now broke away from the others with Mathias and started heading for the back room.
Were there more than just the one involved? Could Mathias possibly know?
And then, a sickening, worrisome thought: Is that why he had tried to stop her from touching Ozzy? Because he was afraid of what she’d see through Ozzy’s eyes?
She didn’t want to think it.
She wanted to believe her trust in him was well-placed, that it was real.
But Mathias was still approaching, leading Ozzy’s killer right to her.
No. Oh, God...no.
She couldn’t let him see her. She couldn’t let him get near Eddie.
Nova retreated from the door.
“Come on,” she whispered, barely making a sound. “We have to get out of here. Now.”
CHAPTER 9
Mathias was more impatient than anyone to begin the hunt for Ozzy’s killer, but before he could even think about hitting the street with his team and the JUSTIS officers who’d arrived to assist, he had to make sure Nova and Eddie were safe.
He’d tasked Callahan with taking them back to the Order’s command center in the heart of London. Although it was rare--almost unheard of--that civilians were permitted into Order compounds, Mathias was willing to bend that rule for Nova.
If he had anything to say about it, she wasn’t going to be merely a civilian for long, anyway. He wanted her in his life. Hell, he wanted her as his mate, if she’d have him.
The Rover was still idling at the curb. All Mathias needed to do was convince Nova that she needed to trust him, that she needed to do what he asked for once and let him take care of her.
He walked to the back room with Callahan and a few other men. Mathias knocked on the door at the same time he started to open it. “Nova, I’ve made arrangements for you and Eddie at--”
She was gone.
The back room was vacant. The rear door letting out onto the alleyway behind the shop was partially ajar, admitting a thin draft of night air inside.
Nova had left, taking Eddie with her. The reality of it raked over Mathias with cold claws.
Fuck. She was out there on her own right now, while Ozzy’s killer was still very much at large.
She had to be aware of that danger. And yet she’d chosen that risk over staying another minute under Mathias’s watch.
“Damn it, Nova.” He turned to the three warriors behind him, an odd chill blooming behind his sternum. “She won’t be coming back.”
“Where do you think she went?” Callahan asked.
Mathias lifted his shoulder. “I don’t know. She could be anywhere in the city.”
“If she’s on foot, she can’t be far,” Deacon said.
Thane nodded, his black brows knit together over dark eyes. “You want us to go after her, Commander?”
“No,” Mathias said after a moment, the word heavy on his tongue.
Every particle of his being pounded with the need to bring her back to him. But if he sent warriors after her now, it would only make her run farther.
Nova was a smart woman and a proven survivor. He had to trust she’d find a way to keep herself and Eddie safe.
The best thing he could do for her was make damned sure the Breed bastard who killed Ozzy wasn’t permitted to breathe for much longer tonight.