The man’s eyes find mine again, and this time they’re sharper.
“You’ll receive further instructions when necessary,” he says. “Any deviation from the agreed terms will be considered interference.”
There’s a subtle emphasis on the last word.
Threat noted.
He checks his watch. “That’s all.” Then he leaves without waiting for questions and the door shuts behind him with a soft, final click.
For a moment, no one speaks. Then, as if nothing untoward has just happened—a Russian hasn’t just gone missing, a nothingness man hasn’t just issued our orders and we haven’t just been told an anonymous puppet master none of us have met is orchestrating this entire charade—the room resumes its regular chatter of strategies, logistics and next steps.
I sit quietly and listen.
Because I have almost everything I need.
More importantly, I know there’s an unknown entity at the center of it all—someone who thinks remaining unseen keeps them safe. They’re wrong.
The only person I’m interested in keeping safe—now and as far into the future as I can see—is Erin.
Erin
My phone vibrates in my hand as I’m halfway across the gravel path that leads to the stables. I don’t need to look at the screen to know who it is. I stop walking anyway.
The message is a voice note—three minutes long. That alone tells me it’s bad. Gerard’s aunt doesn’t waste time on pleasantries—she wastes it on drama.
I step aside, away from the other guests drifting toward morning activities, and press play and translate.
Her voice rattles into my ear, rapid, dramatic and tight with panic. Her words tumble over one another, even when translated. I catch phrases first, then the meaning follows.
Missing.
Gerard didn’t show.
Annual charity dinner.
Never happened before.
I close my eyes.
Gerard hasn’t shown up to his company’s annual charity dinner. The one he chairs, attends every year without fail, and treats like a coronation.
And according to his aunt, this is all my fault.
Apparently, my leaving has destabilized him. He’s humiliated, distracted… lost.
I almost laugh out loud. I very much doubt that, as she suspects, Gerard is out drinking somewhere and refusing to answer his phone because I broke him.
I let the message play to the end, listening to her work herself into a frenzy. Then I hang up and stare into the blue spaces between the swaying trees.
Where the hell is he?
While I obviously know Gerard wouldn’t have failed to show up to his charity dinner because of me, it’s certainly strange that he didn’t show up. He’s treated as a king at those dinners. What’s stranger still is, he hasn’t been in touch with anyone.
I fire off a quick text to Paige. I don’t want to worry her so I keep it light.
“Hey love. Have you spoken to your father in the last few days? If not, he might appreciate a quick call. Talk soon xx.”
I slip the phone back into my pocket and start walking again, my thoughts racing.
