Wrath of an Exile (The River Styx Heathens #1)

by Monty Jay

“What happened?” “Phi,” I choke out, the word leaving me like a broken prayer. I can’t stop the tears burning at the corners of my eyes, but I don’t care. I don’t give a fuck if he sees me like this. “Seraphina, Phi, she…” My throat closes, the words strangling me, the panic finally breaking through. I reach out, trying to steady myself by grabbing for the back of a leather chair, but I miss. My legs give way beneath me, and I crash to the floor, knees slamming against the hardwood with a hollow, resounding thud. The pain barely registers. It’s drowned out by the burning in my chest, an unbearable pressure that’s threatening to swallow me whole. Don’t panic, Jude. Don’t panic. Don’t panic, Jude. Don’t panic. Don’t panic, Jude. Don’t panic. “Jude, hey, kid, look at me.” Rook’s voice is closer now, low and steady. I feel his hands on my face, rough palms holding me up, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes are fierce, focused, but there’s something else there, too, and it mirrors the fear in mine.

Yep. I’m crying at work 😅