“I’m sorry,” I say quietly. “I didn’t realize that’s what was going on.”
He stiffly shrugs. “Why would you realize it? I didn’t tell anyone.”
I waver. “Except for Maddy.”
“I didn’t tell her all of the details.” He reclines back in the seat. “But not for her lack of trying, though.”
A small smile pulls at my lips. “She really is persistent when she wants to help someone, isn’t she?”
He crosses his arms and nods, his attention wandering to the side mirror. “She really is…” He straightens and then spins in the seat. “Is that Maddy’s father?”
I crane my neck to look at the massive SUV parked behind us that has tinted windows. I stiffen, worried that it isn’t Maddy’s father, but then relax when Grey climbs out and shuts the door.
He has two bulky bodyguards with him as they approach my car. I get out, and so does Noah, both of us meeting him at the back.
“Where’s Maddy?” I ask, glancing at the SUV, assuming she’s inside it.
The muscle in Grey’s jaw ticks. “We don’t know yet.”
“What? I thought you knew where she was?” The loudness of my voice carries around the hangars, and I promptly lower it. “I thought you were able to get her location from her watch.”
“We did get it from there,” he assures me, then smashes his lips together and shakes his head. “But your father must’ve found out the watch was trackable, because we found it in an old, abandoned building on northside. And there was no sign that anyone had been there.”
I clench my hands into fists at my side, struggling to maintain my composure, which might be a first for me. “So where’s Maddy? Do you have an idea?”
“No, but I think you might be able to help me.” Grey collects his phone from the front pocket of his suit jacket. “Your father has an airplane here, I believe, anyway. I was wondering if you could check and see if it’s still here.”
I trade a look with Noah, who’s gone as pale as a ghost.
“You think he flew her out of the city?” Noah asks, his voice strained.
His reaction is justifiable, though. If he took Maddy and Finn out of the city, finding them will be extremely difficult.
“I’m not sure, but we can start by finding out if his plane is here.” Grey looks at me. “That is, if you’ll help me.”
I nod, but my worry is so thick inside me, I’m struggling to think clearly. “Of course. Is that why you asked us to come here?”
“No, I was going to ask you to go with my daughter to a safe place,” Grey explains as the wind picks up around us. “She needs protection, and I know she trusts you two.” He nods at me and Noah. “I also know she trusts your brother.” His gaze hardens. “However, I’m concerned that he may have been in on your father capturing Maddy.”
“No way,” I dispute, shaking my head. “Finn hates my father.”
“Are you sure about that?” he questions, glancing at some people walking by.
I nod without reluctance. “Trust me, Finn would never help my father with anything. Plus, he likes Maddy.”
“He has a thing for her,” Noah adds, causing my attention to dart to him.
“What? How do you know that?” I ask, turning to face him.
He shrugs, then offers me an apologetic look. “River, I think you know he does. Finn hasn’t spent this much time around one woman like ever.”
“True…” I guess I’ve wondered this too, but since Finn turned down my suggestion that he fake date Maddy, I assumed I was wrong.
“We need to find out if that plane is here,” Grey interrupts impatiently. “Now.”
An airplane engine roars in the background as I spin around. “It’s over here. I have the password to the door, so we should be able to open it.” I gesture for everyone to follow me as I stride toward the hangar that’s a ways down from where we’re standing.
It takes us a few minutes to arrive at it, and then I punch in the code in the security box. Waiting for the door to open is almost painful. But nothing can prepare me for the sight of the empty hangar.
