Fuck no.
I snatch my phone and open the location-sharing app I made Savannah download. A quick search shows me that, luckily, they’re at home. Pressing the gas pedal to the floor, I openanother line on my phone and tap on the first contact in my recent calls.
“What’s up, Boss?”
“Calder. There’s an emergency at my penthouse. How close are you?”
“I can be there in two minutes.”
“Perfect. Meet me in the parking garage.”
Calder and I arrive at my building at the same time. I don’t even bother to park my car. I pull right up to the elevator, and Calder does the same. When we get into the penthouse, I sprint ahead of Calder and in the direction of the contending voices.
Why the hell are they in my bedroom?
As I enter the room, I find Savannah with panic written all over her face and her shoulders hunched. Next to her is Giselle…In a goddamn towel.
My body shakes with rage, and my voice comes out in a roar. “What the fuck are you doing here, Giselle?” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, Savannah bolts for the door. Reaching for her, I call out, “Savannah, wait!”
“Let her go,” Giselle directs.
“Shut up,” I bark.
I dash after Savannah, and as I pass Calder, I instruct him to keep an eye on Giselle. I’ve almost caught up with Savannah when she gets inside the elevator.
“Savannah! Stop!”
She doesn’t. The elevator doors close as I reach them, and I pound my fist against the metal.
Adrenaline and rage flow rampantly through my body as I stomp back up the stairs. When I return to my room, Giselle is dressed, and Calder looks annoyed.
I zero in on the pain-in-my-neck woman. “How the hell did you get in my home?”
Giselle shrugs unapologetically, refusing to answer.
Raising my hands with my palms toward Giselle, I berate, “You know what? Whatever. I’ll check the cameras later. Right now, I need you gone.” I turn my head and address my employee. “Calder.”
Giselle interrupts me, rushing forward and clinging to my shirt. “Hunter, please. I know you miss me just as much as I miss you. We were so good together.”
“No, we weren’t.” I grip Giselle’s wrists and push her away, forcing her to let go. “You’re a leech, and I’m done letting you take from me.” Marching out of my room, I bark instructions over my shoulder. “Calder, I need you to escort myex-wifefrom the premises. I’m going after Savannah.”
I don’t wait to make sure Giselle gathers her things before Calder escorts her out. I have one objective.
Get Savannah back.
Giselle’s specialty is weaponizing her words. She’s an expert at homing in on her target, assessing them, and hitting them where it hurts. She knows how to find the weak spot and exploiting it.
When I get to the parking garage, I find all the cars still there. The sharp crack of a gunshot thunders from outside.
“Shit!” I shout as I run in the direction of the sound.
As I get closer to what I assume is the right spot, I hear the piercing shriek of tires on the pavement. A car zooms away out of sight. I’m too far to make out a plate number. I can’t even tell what color the car is.
When I near the street corner, I spot a motionless body on the sidewalk.
“No, no, no. Please, don’t be…” I trail off as I reach the figure, and it’s the last person I expect to see.
Slicer.
