Zee gripped the edge of the nightstand, his knuckles going white as the rush of panic took over.His chest heaved, and he couldn’t stop the shaking in his hands.
“Hours.It’s been hours.”Zee fumbled for his phone, scrolling to the last message Ella had sent him.The message was from late this afternoon.While he was cheering on the guys, she was at home.He thought she was safe there.Protected.
“Where the hell is she?”He didn’t mean to shout but he needed an outlet for the tightly coiled ball of emotion that was in his chest.
“I don’t know the answer to that, Zee.”
“Fuck, I have to get home, I’m going to get a flight, oh fuck, why did I leave her?She wanted to come.I should have known it wasn’t safe!”He stood, adrenaline rushing through his head.
“Zee, the best trained people in the country are here.There is nothing for you to do right now, we are taking care of it.What you need to do is pack your bags.Tell the team you need to come home for an emergency, then calmly exit the hotel.There’s a car waiting for you.Xander arranged a plane.You’ll be home as soon as possible.”
“That’s still a lot of time.Too much time.”
“I know you’re angry and terrified right now, but you need to pack.Now.You can’t help Ella if you’re stuck here.Focus on what you can do.”
“Fuck, I can’t…” But he didn’t have any anger left to explode.The anger was there yes, but the fear was sharper, stronger, humming in the background and it took all his strength not to collapse on the bed.
“We got you, Zee.Stay on the phone with me until you’ve packed your bag.”Helena’s sharp command got him to move.
The sooner I’m out of here, the sooner I can find Ella and when I have her in my arms again, I will never let her go.
And I’ll quit the job.
Fuck the job.
All I want is Ella safe.
In a daze he threw his clothing in his bags, and stood there, his heart pounding.
“Zee, how’s the packing going?”Helena’s voice cut through his panic.
“Fine.Done.”
“Good now, leave your hotel room.”
“Fuck, don’t tell me what to do!”
“Only this once, keep moving.”
He moved his feet as fast as he could, the hallway all a blur as he raced down the stairs down to the lobby.
Zee’s heart pounded against his rib cage as he made his way through the late-night crowd.
He should have taken Ella with him.
This is all my fault.
“Zee, where are you?”
“Lobby.”
“Get through doors and you’ll see the car waiting for you.”
He almost plowed over a group of women in tiaras from a bacholrette party as he raced out into the cool crisp air and then he stopped in his tracks, when he saw a familiar face and it took every ounce of his willpower not to collapse.
“I see him.Helena if there’s any news—“
“You’ll be the first to know.Get in the car, Zee.”
