Andy’s fingers were practically murdering each other. “I’m—” He swallowed hard. “Just tell me what happened to my sister.”
“James will explain everything,” Scott assured him, leading them inside. “Though fair warning, his office currently looks like the Pentagon had a love child with Google.”
James’ office had indeed transformed into something out of a military thriller. Screens covered every available surface, displaying maps, security footage, and what looked like every CCTV feed in Los Angeles. James himself stood behind his desk, phone pressed to his ear, radiating the kind of controlled fury that made Matt glad they were on the same side.
“Track every motel from here to San Diego,” James was saying. “I don’t care if you have to wake up every manager in California.” His eyes met Matt’s, a silent conversation passing between them before he ended the call.
“Matt.” The friends embraced briefly, the tension in James’ shoulders telling Matt everything he needed to know about the situation’s severity.
“Where’s my sister?” Andy’s voice cracked slightly, fear bleeding through his attempted composure.
James’ expression darkened to apocalyptic levels. “Your uncle Herbert took her.”
The silence that followed was absolute. Matt felt Andy sway beside him and instantly steadied him with a hand at his lower back.
“I’m sorry,” Andy’s voice was dangerously quiet. “Did you just sayUncle Herbert? Not some—some cartel or—” His knees buckled.
“Whoa, easy.” Matt guided him to the nearest chair while Scott disappeared, returning moments later with coffee. Bruno shifted closer, his stoic presence oddly reassuring.
Eric, the youngest of the Maxwell half brothers, chose that moment to enter, taking in Andy’s ghost-white complexion with concern. “Is he?—?”
“Just processing,” Matt answered, his hand never leaving Andy’s shoulder.
“He’s been hunting you both,” James continued, his tone promising violence. “For years, apparently.”
Andy’s hands started shaking so badly he nearly dropped the coffee. “Hunting us? All this time? That sick—” His breathing became erratic. “If he touches her— If he?—”
“Hey.” Matt knelt in front of him, forcing Andy to meet his eyes. “Focus on me, pup. Breathe.”
“You don’t understand,” Andy choked out. “He’s a monster. He’s—” His words dissolved into panicked gasps.
“We’ll find her,” James’ voice cut through Andy’s rising panic.
Eric said, “William’s on his way, and we’ve got teams tracking Sophie.”
The door creaked open again, interrupting Eric’s report. A small dark-haired whirlwind in rumpled pajamas poked her head in, looking like she’d waged war with her hairbrush and lost spectacularly.
“Daddy?” Aria stopped short at the sight of their gathering, her eyes widening as they landed on Andy. The resemblance between him and Mia must have struck her because she stared with unabashed curiosity.
James’ transformation was immediate, his expression softening as he scooped up his daughter. “Shouldn’t you be in bed, princess?”
“The maid’s asleep,” Aria announced, wrapping her arms around her father’s neck. Her eyes never left Andy. “Is that Mia’s brother? He looks just like her! Where’s Mia? I lookedeverywhereand she’s not here and—” The questions tumbled out in typical kid fashion.
Matt watched Andy struggle to compose himself, noting how his pup managed a weak smile for the little girl despite his obvious distress.
“Can we keep him too, Daddy?” Aria asked with the innocent directness only children possess. “He looks like he needs someone to look after him, like Mia did.”
“Actually,” Matt cut in, winking at her, “he’s already taken.”
Aria’s face lit up with interest. “Oh! Like Sammy and Alfie are my dogs? Or like Mia with Daddy?”
The room temperature dropped several degrees. Eric suddenly found the ceiling fascinating, while Scott failed to suppress a snort.
“What do you mean, about Daddy and Mia?” Scott asked with poorly concealed amusement.
“You know,” Aria said with all the wisdom of a tiny CEO-in-training, “they kiss and do lovey-dovey stuff. And Mia sleeps in our wing sometimes, so we’re like a family!” She turned to Matt, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Do you sleep with Andy too?”
Matt grinned wickedly. “Every night. We have lots of fun.”
