Feeling like his bones were leaden, dread choking him, he woke up his laptop and scrolled to the last recording of the live feed.
His cybersecurity measures were set to time out the feed, so he wasn’t worried about Josie seeing anything she shouldn’t have.
But as the clip played, he clenched his hand into a fist.Sweat broke out on his forehead.His jaw tightened.
He wanted to roar and smash everything in this house.For years, he had worked hard to keep the underground side of the business out of the public eye.HeknewQuinn’s ex-girlfriend would be a problem.
He thought that by sending her away and giving her a chance, it would be case closed.
This was one where he was dead wrong about.
Josie had to be scared and he needed to find her.His logic kicked in and demanded he find her before she went to the police or the press because their work with authorities also needed to stay hidden.
He stood there, crouched over his laptop, frozen in place, his emotions so jumbled he couldn’t process them.
Josie was too good for him.
She was lightyears away from his world of intrigue and secrets.His world of making money and protecting a genius brother.
But for once, he wanted something for himself.
He wanted her and didn’t want to stop his pursuit.
Ares strolled over to the windows, trying to formulate a plan on how to get her back.But the growing sense of dread wouldn’t let him hope and it bothered him that his sweeper team didn’t call him as soon as they noticed the breach.A new fear sparked as he thought of Mac’s face.
He should have pulled the plug as soon as he caught sight of the man’s emotion.That was the rule.
He was so lost in his happiness, it softened his edges and clouded his vision and, he’d do it all over again if it meant that he could have one more night with Josie.
His cell rang from across the room.
Ares picked it up, thankful for the super indestructible technology and answered.
“Yeah?’
“Merry Christmas to you!”Drustan’s voice grated on his last nerve.
“What do you need, Drustan?”
“Rumour has that Ida received an invitation to Hill Oak.I also received an invitation to a private dining for tonight at the same place.”
“I guess I couldn't resist playing cupid.”
“Thanks, Ares.This makes me feel bad about what I did.But you guys haven’t listened to me this whole time and I had to show my father I am capable of standing on my own feet.”
Ares thought of the van they saw parked at the compound.Of Drustan’s mysterious calls.
“What’s that supposed to mean?’
“You’ll find out but I consider this dinner a show of goodwill so I might slow down the wheels I set in motion.”
“Is that a threat Drustan?”
“I know not to threaten the mighty Xander but you can take it any way you want.See you soon.”
He called Josie.
Her phone rang in his ear.
