“Whoa, nope, not here, mate.” I throw a palm over my eyes, half-laughing, half-sick with impatience.
Kian and Connor drop onto the opposite couch. Kaden leans against the doorframe, arms folded, watching me like he already knows.
“Good to see you all in one piece,” Viviana says, rolling her eyes even while Declan’s arms stay locked around her waist. “And why the hell did you send Flanagan’s lapdog?”
“No signal,” Declan mutters against her neck. “Doyle was the only runner we had.”
My pulse spikes. “Autumn?” I scan the room again, chest tightening when it’s still empty of her.
Viviana turns, frown deepening. “She left.”
The air leaves my lungs. “Left?”
“Home,” she says slowly, like I’m stupid. “To your place.”
Rage and ice flood my veins at the same time. “Why the fuck would she do that?”
Viviana’s eyes widen. “Doyle.”
The name lands like a blade between my ribs.
“Doyle?” My voice is barely audible.
“Flynn.” She steps out of Declan’s arms, pointing at me with fear in her eyes. “You told Doyle to take her to the mansion and that you’d meet her at sunrise.”
Every muscle in my body locks so hard my vision tunnels.
“No,” I whisper. “I didn’t.”
I’m moving before anyone can stop me, boots pounding up the stairs, blood roaring in my ears. I slam into the bedroom, rip the drawer open looking for my phone I left behind when I took the burner. My real phone shakes in my hand as I dial.
Kaden fills the doorway; Kian right behind him.
“Come on, come on.” The ringing feels endless. “Pick up, baby, please—”
“The number you have dialled is not available—”
The phone slips from my fingers, clatters to thefloor.
My heart stops dead.
“No.” The word rips out of me, raw, broken.
Declan’s hand clamps my arm. “We’re going to your place. Now.”
I can’t speak. I just nod.
The drive is a blur of speed and flying dirt. My knuckles are white on the dash, every second stretching into torture.
The gates swing open. Guards scatter as we tear up the drive.
I’m out while the SUV still rolls, boots skidding on marble. One of the gate men stumbles back when I grab his shirt and slam him against the wall.
“My wife?” I roar.
He pales. “She—she never came back, boss. Not since she left with you.”
The world tilts.
