Before I can say anything, she hangs up.
I throw back the covers and get up.
Pen remains quiet. All I hear is her fingers tapping on the keys.
I head into the bathroom and splash water on my face. I avoid looking in the mirror, not sure I want to see the person staring back at me.
Why the hell did I listen to Lottie? I should have taken her to the airport, seen her on the plane myself.
Lottie assured me Dani’s dad was going to do it. That she’s fifteen, I need to let her be a grownup. After the companyespionage, I should have realised Lottie could be a target. What if whoever was in charge of the operation to sabotage my company has come back for revenge? It’s not like we ever caught them. Peter Levon is still refusing to give up the person who hired him.
Fuck, I should have had a security detail added to her.
Dani.
She was supposed to go to Italy with Lottie. Darra just said neither girl arrived.
I grab a towel and head back into the bedroom, scooping up my phone and searching for Dani’s father’s number. The girls have been friends for years. I’ve even played golf with her dad.
“Elijah,” he says, answering within a couple of rings, music playing in the background.
“Sorry to bother you, Huw, but is Lottie with you?” I say, choking down the rising panic that’s threatening.
“No,” he says, chuckling. “We’re in Mexico. A family holiday.”
What, Mexico? Did I misunderstand Lottie?
My stomach sinks. “Dani is with you?”
“Yes,” his voice sounds confused. “Elijah, is everything all right? Is Lottie okay?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I don’t know. Lottie is missing.” I exhale loudly, my voice catching as I say the words aloud. “She said she was with you, and now?—”
“She’s what?” I can almost picture the man sitting upright. “What do you mean? When? How?”
“She was due to go to Italy for her birthday. She told me Dani was going with her, that she was staying with you last night, that you were taking them to the airport.”
“Hold on,” he says. His voice gets quieter. “Dani. Can you come here?”
I hear him talk to his daughter.
“Dani, if you know something. This is important.”
I hold my breath, hoping she can shed some light. If Lottie’s confided in anyone, it’ll be her. My muscles twitch and my heart pounds drowning out everything else.
What is going on? Surely Lottie knew Dani was going to Mexico with her parents.
My heart beats rapidly in my chest as I struggle to draw air into my lungs.
Pen appears behind me, her hands running up and down my back, soothing.
“Breathe,” she says quietly. “We’ll find her.”
I turn my head and stare at the woman offering me her support.
How can she know?
I can hear Huw talking to his daughter, but struggle to make out Dani’s words.
