I winced back at his words. They cut deep, and then there was thefact that I would have to tell my grandfather. He adored and loved Amy like she was his blood. He would be furious to find out that she had left. Unless, of course, I found her first.
“I need to find her,” I said flatly. “I need your help to find her, Micah. You knew her better than anyone.” Even as I said it, I realized how absurd that was. I was her husband, and yet her bodyguard knew her better.
What a fool I’d been.
“I can’t do that. She doesn’t want to be found.”
His words hit me like a sledgehammer. “You are refusing to do your job?” Again, my voice was tinged with anger.
“I am doing my job, Alexei. I am protecting your wife. I don’t know where she went, and even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”
I glowered at him. “I could make you tell me, Micah.” I threatened.
“I can’t tell you what I don’t know, Alexei. You can torture me all you want. I don’t know where she has gone, and like I said, even if I did, I would take that knowledge to the grave. Amy has been betrayed enough as it is.”
I could put him in the grave easily enough. All I would have to do was pull out my pistol and shoot him between the eyes, but if I did that, then I would never find out where my wife had been.
Sighing, I forced my body to relax. I took a few deep breaths. “Stay here. Our conversation isn’t over,” I ordered as I climbed to my feet. “I need to speak to Violet and find out where she found my phone.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “You mean where she hid your phone?” he called out after me.
I didn’t want to believe that was true. But I knew it was.
“Alexei.” Violet greeted me the second I burst into her room without knocking. “I knew you would come to apologize, and it’s fine. Honestly, I’m not even mad. I’m just glad you’re here now.”
I stared at her. “Did you take my phone?” I asked without even a hello. I didn’t have time for pleasantries.
“Of course, not. I don’t even know why you would say that.”
“Tell me the truth, Violet. Amy needed me. She called me, and I didn’t get it because my cell phone was missing.”
She rolled off the bed. “I didn’t take your phone, Alexei. And I’m sure she is fine. She’s strong, you said so yourself.”
“She buried her sister today.”
Violet’s face fell, but somehow it didn’t feel genuine. “I’m sorry to hear that, but wasn’t it expected. Her poor sister was so sick.”
“She lost the baby as well. My baby. And now she is gone.”
“Oh, Alexei, I am sorry about the baby. But isn’t Amy being gone a good thing?” She sidled up to me. “We can finally be together without having to worry, and you can get your solicitor to file for divorce because she abandoned your marriage. It might take a little longer, but I don’t mind waiting.” Reaching up, she pressed her lips to my cheek. It would have landed on my mouth, but I moved my face away at the last minute.
“We can have everything we have ever wanted now that they are gone. I mean, it’s not like you wanted a family with her, is it? She was such a—”
“Stop talking,” I growled out.
She fell silent instantly. “Alexei?”
“Just shut up, Violet.” I stared at her. She had schooled her face into sadness, but I was sure I saw glee in her eyes. She was happy Amy had lost my baby. Sucking in a deep breath, I stepped away. “Stay in your room and away from me until I can sort this out.”
“You said you would look after me, Alexei.”
Pausing in the doorway, I hunched my shoulders. “And I am a man of my word, Violet.”
I would look after her because I kept my promises, but I had also made promises to Amy. And I was going to keep them. I would find her even if I had to rip this city apart to do it.
If she wanted me to leave her alone, then she would have to look me in the eyes and tell me. It would be the only way I would listen.
Micah was nowhere to be seen when I got downstairs, but I never really expected him to be. That was fine, though. I had more than enough men to find my wife, and when I knew she was safe, then I could deal with the fact that I was sure Violet was lying to me.
