An ominous feeling settles over me as fear takes hold. I finally open my eyes, peering out into a dimly lit room. I glance around, noticing I’m lying on a dirty mattress on the floor with nothing but a wooden chair in the corner for company.
I swallow. Someone’s really got it out for me, and I don’t know why. I try and hold it together, but I’m not that kind of girl. I’m someone who doesn’t like confrontation or any form of violence. My dad calls me a snowflake—I crumble at the slightest sign of danger. I used to laugh at him about it, but now I fear he might be onto something as tears stream down my face.
There are no windows in here, so I have no idea what the time is or how long I’ve been here. My dress is still intact but filthy, the brightred now a dull burgundy. I try to sit up, but my head protests, the pounding getting more intense.
Black shrouds me as I succumb to the darkness once more.
Chapter Fifty-Four
JAMES
“Someone better tell me where the fuck she is,” I roar, slamming my hand down on my desk. “It’s been two fucking days and we still don’t have a clue where she is and if she’s still alive.”
“We’re still working on it, J,” Theo says, trying to calm me, but it does nothing to help my mood.
Two days. Two fucking days she’s been gone. I haven’t showered or eaten, and I’ve barely slept. I’m functioning on a cocktail of fear and anxiety as I try and figure out where the fuck she is.
“I’ve called in an extra pair of hands. I’ve never worked with them before, but they came highly recommended,” he carries on. “They’re called ‘The Hood.’”
“Is that meant to mean something to me, Theo?” I snap, hands clenching and unclenching as I desperately quell the urge to punch my best friend.
“No.” He sits up straighter. “It means I’ve got the best of the best looking for her.Have faith.”
“Have faith?” I scoff. “Where wasfaithwhen Raven was being taken from right in front of me?”
I storm out of my office, the door crashing against the wall, and head for the bar in the living room to pour myself a drink. I down it in one, wincing at the burn but relishing it at the same time.
“Is there something you want to tell me, James?” I hear voiced from behind me. “You seem awfully invested in finding my daughter.”
Drew, Emma, and Theo have been with me the last two days, silently pacing, worrying constantly while we wait for news.
Turning around, I shrug my shoulders. “She’s your daughter.”
I feel like a piece of my soul has been ripped out muttering those words, because in all honesty, Raven isn’t just his daughter—she’s my whole world.
The realization slaps me hard across the face as I choke back a cough.
When the fuck did that happen?
Try as I might, I can’t figure out when I fell in love with Raven. All I know is that I’m head over heels in love with her, and I’ll burn this whole damn city to the ground if I don’t get her back.
Drew narrows his eyes at me, but I hold his stare. “I’ll ask you one more time, James. Is there something going on between you and my daughter?”
I shake my head before forcing the lie out and nearly choking on it, “No. She’s a friend. I’m just worried about her welfare.” I run a hand down my face. “What happened with the casino? Are we one hundred percent sure they aren’t involved?” I ask, changing the subject.
Drew’s eyes go wide, and the color drains from his face.
“What?” I growl, my patience having up and left two days ago.
“Th-they said that she wasn’t in any danger but—” he cutshimself off.
I’m on him like a shot, grabbing him by the shirt and yanking him into me. “You dare to come in here and ask if anything is going on with me and your daughter, yet you’re hiding information from me? Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you now?” I spit.
“I-I got a phone call, the other night, at the gala. I thought it was just a threat.”
Tugging him closer, so close I can feel his breath on my skin, I ask, “What. Phone. Call?”
“They said that I may have paid on time, but there will be consequences.” Drew looks like he’s about to be sick. I pull my arm back and punch him. His nose spurts blood.
