“What the hell are you doing, Matt?” Andy spluttered, face flaming. “She’s achild!”
“Language,” James warned sharply. “Not in front of my daughter.”
Andy went crimson. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say hell.”
“Oh, that’s okay!” Aria waved her hand dismissively, a perfect miniature of her father’s executive gesture. “The maids say thatallthe time. And worse things. Like this one time?—”
“Do they now?” James’ expression promised a very uncomfortable conversation with his staff in the near future.
“So,” Aria turned back to Matt, undeterred, “Andy is special to you like Daddy says I’m special to him?”
Matt caught Andy’s mortified glance and softened his grin. “Even more special, princess. He’s my very own shooting star.”
“Ugh,” Eric groaned while Scott dissolved into barely contained laughter. “Really, Matt?”
The door burst open again. Matt wasn’t surprised to see William and Savannah had made it from Vegas almost as quickly as they had. Savannah looked like she hadn’t slept during their flight, her usually perfect makeup showing traces of tears.
“Tell me you found her,” Savannah pleaded, gripping William’s arm like a lifeline.
Matt felt Andy tense beside him, the brief moment of levity from Aria’s visit evaporating instantly. The room’s atmosphere plunged back into crisis mode, every face grim with renewed urgency.
“We haven’t found her yet,” James replied, his tone carefully measured as he set Aria down.
“I see,” Savannah whispered, fresh tears threatening.
William pressed a kiss to her forehead. “We’ll find her soon.”
James seemed to come to a decision. “Aria,” he said, his voice gentle. “Savannah is Mia’s friend. Why don’t you show her around the house until Mia comes back?”
Aria, bless her tactical little heart, immediately understood her mission. She bounced over to Savannah, taking her handwith all the authority of a five-star general who happened to be wearing unicorn pajamas.
“I’m Aria!” she announced. “Come on, I’ll show you my dogs, Sammy and Alfie. They’re the most adorable ever. And since you’re Mia’s friend, that means you’re family too!” She tugged at Savannah’s hand. “Do you like dogs? Mia loves them. She always gives them treats when Daddy’s not looking—” Her voice faded as she led a slightly shell-shocked Savannah away.
The moment the door clicked shut, William’s voice was pure ice. “Right, what do we know about Herbert’s movements?”
Matt tightened his grip on Andy’s shoulder as they returned to the grim business at hand. The real hunt was about to begin.
Thirty-Seven
ANDY
Pacing the guest room like a caged animal was the only thing keeping me from completely losing it. Three days. Mia had been with that monster for three days—what felt like two centuries of sickening scenarios playing through my mind on repeat.
My stomach lurched again and I bolted to the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet. Nothing came up. I slumped against the cool tile wall, pressing my forehead against it.
“Mia,” I whispered. “Please be okay. Please still be my fierce big sister who’d kick my ass for worrying this much.”
Sleep had been a stranger these past forty-eight hours. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Herbert… and the things he could be doing to Mia. The same things he’d done to me, but worse, because this wasMia. My protector. My rock.
My phone buzzed. Fin.
Any news?
My fingers trembled as I typed back:Nothing. I’m going insane here.
The reply was instant:Want me to come over? I can borrow Ethan’s car.
Despite everything, I almost smiled.You’d never make it. You’d either end up in a ditch or get arrested. Or both.
