An hour that would feel like an eternity.
By the time Micah was fifteen minutes out of Beloit, his nerves were stretched thin.He was reaching over to call Bryn when his phone rang.Seeing her name on the screen, he was struck by a wave of relief.
“Bryn?Are you in Beloit?”
“Yes.I’m at the Turtle Creek Grill.It’s a restaurant in the center of town.”Her voice sounded stronger now.“Do you think you can find it?”
“Absolutely.I’m about fifteen minutes away, maybe less.Go ahead and eat if you’re hungry.”
“I’ll wait for you.”The edge was back in her tone.“I’m at a booth in the back corner.”
“I’ll be there soon.”Now that he wasn’t on the tollway, Micah stomped his foot down on the accelerator.The urge to reach Bryn’s side was strong.He could tell she felt vulnerable after everything that had happened.
“Thanks, Micah.”Once again, she ended the connection before he was ready.Traffic had lightened up the closer he got to the border.He glanced at the signs, hoping to see one for the Turtle Creek Grill.
Thankfully, the restaurant was on the main road going through town.He pulled over and pushed out of the car.Hurrying inside, he swept his gaze over the patrons until he saw Bryn’s shoulder-length red hair.
She rose to her feet as he approached.Then suddenly she was in his arms, holding him tightly.He cradled her close, hoping she wasn’t crying again.
“Hey, it’s okay.I’m here.”He patted her back reassuringly.“You’re safe now.”
“Oh, Micah.”Her voice hitched, and she sniffled again, before lifting her head to look up at him.“I think this is partially my fault.”
“I doubt that.”He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.“Let’s get something to eat, okay?Then you can tell me all about it.”
With a nod, she stepped back and swiped at her eyes.Then she slid back into the booth.Micah didn’t take the seat across from her, mostly because he wanted to keep an eye on the front door.Also because he wanted them to be able to speak without anyone overhearing.
They’d barely gotten settled when their server hurried over.She was young and had a purple streak in her hair.“What can I get you to drink?”
“Just water for now.”He glanced at Bryn, who had the menu open on the table before her.“We’ll order food in a few minutes.”
Their server left, returning a moment later with the water.Ignoring the menu, he turned toward Bryn.“What would you like to eat?”
“I’m not hungry.”He scowled and arched a brow.She sighed.“Okay, I’ll have a club sandwich.”
“Great.”He looked at purple streak and said, “We’ll have two club sandwiches with fries.”
“Anything else?”
“Nope.”He waited for her to leave, then turned to Bryn.“Please start at the beginning.”
She nodded and reached for her water.Then she drew in a deep breath.“I work for a PR and marketing firm by the name of Digital Creative Express.It’s co-owned by two men, Richard Freeman and Damien Rochester.”
“Go on,” he encouraged when she fell silent.
“I’m Damien’s personal assistant.I’ve been with him for the past four years.”She stared down at her hands.“I—we were involved briefly, but I ended it a few months ago.”
“Involved?”He battled a wave of jealousy.Bryn’s personal life was none of his business.
“We dated.I know, it was stupid.”She blew out a breath and finally met his gaze.“I don’t know what I was thinking.Anyway, Damien didn’t seem to mind that I ended it.I thought everything was going fine, then he didn’t show up for work yesterday.”
He searched her gaze.“And that’s unusual?”
“Very.Damien never misses work.I keep his calendar.I knew he didn’t have any meetings or trips planned.”She dropped her gaze to her hands.“I called his cell phone, but it went to his voice mail.He doesn’t have a landline, so I kept trying his cell phone without ever getting an answer.”
“Okay.”He frowned.“Maybe the guy was just home sick.Everyone gets sick at some point.”
“I drove past his condo on my way home.His car wasn’t in the garage, and nobody answered the door.”Her voice dropped.“I wasn’t sure what to think.Damien and Richard have owned this company for seven years.I didn’t tell Richard or his assistant Gwen about Damien being gone.I thought I’d just wait another day.”
