Livia just shrugged and resumed her earlier position in the chair. She had closed all my blinds when she first came into the office, but did eventually open one up so she could get a good view of the city. “Did Rome take one of your cars?”
“I doubt it. Since the incident, he’s avoided them. Though…” I trailed off, thinking of Andi, “with my assistant in tow, I wouldn’t be surprised if he opted to take one for her convenience. She’s terrified of the subway.”
It was quiet for less than a minute before Livia started talking again. I was learning she didn’t do well with periods of silence. “If you marry my brother, does that mean he’s technically rich too? Does that make me rich by association?”
“So we’re now onto marriage?” I joked as Fynn made his way back into the office.
His look of concern had me on edge, “I called the building your penthouse is in. Rome never showed up. They have no record of him keying into your penthouse, or him arriving at all.”
“Was there an accident?” I asked as I stood. It seemed I had become as illogical as Livia since I was looking out onto the streets for whatever source was keeping him from me.
Fynn shook his head, “Nothing. There’s something else…” He trailed off and glanced at Livia.
“Oh, don’t you dare try to kick me out, Army man!” she protested. “If my brother is missing, I need to know.”
Fynn sighed, but didn’t argue. “The car Andi had called isn’t registered to Bly Enterprises, it’s registered to your father.”
“What exactly are you saying, Fynn?”
He responded calmly, “I’m saying there is a chance that since your dad couldn’t get to you, he went with his next best option, the person closest to you… Rome.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
BEC
Icouldn’t stand to see the fear on Lucia’s face. She was terrified she had lost her only son forever, and I was terrified it was all my fault.
After we had learned they had never made it to my penthouse, we immediately began the search. I had contacted the police and a private security team to track Rome and Andi down. I had also called the only other person who knew him as well as I did, hoping he could help.
We were all running into the same problem when it came to locating the missing duo… New York City was massive. According to security cameras, he and Andi had gotten in the car outside of Bly Enterprises. They were caught on security cameras throughout the city, and we eventually tracked the vehicle to an abandoned warehouse. However, when my team got out there, the car was still there, but there was no Rome, Andi, or a clue on where they went.
Livia had called her family the moment she had learned Rome was missing, and every single one of his sisters was now in his office. They had hoped the notes were connected to his disappearance and were working to finish decoding them.
We had all been interviewed by the police, as it was standard procedure. We told them of our theories, but that’s all they were… theories.
Due to the extenuating circumstances of Rome’s disappearance, we were able to submit a missing persons report before the seventy-two-hour waiting period, but I knew who had taken him. His disappearance had my father’s name written all over it… I just couldn’t figure outwhy.
If he wanted to disrupt the stocks as we had assumed, taking Rome would do nothing to the company’s stability. All it accomplished was terrifying me and his family. Once he was found, everything would return to normal. So why? I couldn’t help but wonder.
When the police had first arrived at the office to question me, I had shared my suspicions regarding my father’s responsibility. They seemed to believe me, but with no evidence, that belief could only go so far. They did, however, send a couple of detectives to interview him.
“Bec!” I turned to see Will rushing over to me from the elevator. His eyes were worried, but controlled. I had called him when Rome first went missing, needing his support.
I glanced at the clock, seeing that it had been nearly twelve hours since Rome had left the building. I hadn’t realized how much time had passed. It was enough for Will to fly across the entire country.
As Will approached, he pulled me into his arms, wrapping me in a hug. I breathed in his cologne of evergreens and finally took a momentto feelwhile hidden in my brother’s arms. I couldn't show my fear, not with Lucia and the Romano sisters close by. I needed to be strong for them… for Rome.
“I’m so scared,” I mumbled against Will’s chest.
Will pulled back and framed my face in his hands, “We’ll find him, okay?”
I nodded, but didn’t believe him. “Did you bring…”
“Yes,” Will interrupted and stepped to the side. Behind him was a tall man with sandy brown hair, golden brown eyes, and a presence that could be felt for miles.
“You must be Bec.” He smiled softly and reached out his hand in greeting, “Malachi James.”
I could have cried in elation knowing he had agreed to come. I launched myself into his arms… this stranger I hadn’t met. But he made me feel closer to Rome instantly. “Thank God you’re here.”
