I don’t even know when I’ll see him again. I don’t know what Frank has planned for me. I don’t think he’s going to harm me, at least not fatally. I suspect he only really wants me for the dollar signs that light up in his eyes.
But I don’t know that for a fact. Anything could happen. Anything, like Frank telling the cops what he knows. If he even knows anything.
I cannot take that chance.
But what if that means this is the last time I’ll be standing here with Maddox like this? What if he never forgives me for lying to him?
“I love you Maddox,” I say simply. “You know that right?”
He holds me in his arms and kisses the top of my curls as I cry into his firm chest. “I know that, baby. And I love you. It’s all going to be okay. You know that too, right?”
I nod, even though I don’t know that. “I know. It’s just been a lot. And these cramps are really painful…the worst I’ve ever had.”
He pulls away, wiping my tears with the pad of his thumb. “Okay. I’ll run to the store. I’ll be gone ten minutes tops. Keep the door bolted and your phone on. I’ll take mine just in case you need me.”
I’m filled with relief and despair. “Thank you. So much.”For everything.
He smiles. “No problem. You want some ice cream while I’m there, some Cherry Garcia? Then I can whip up some chocolate chip cookies to go with as soon as I’m back.”
Ah. He knows me so well. I’m always partial to Cherry Garcia during my period, and Maddox’s cookies are to die for. Under any other circumstances, I’d be so happy to snuggle together onthe couch, watching a movie or a nature documentary, nibbling my comfort food and spending time with him.
Will I ever get to do those things again?
“Yes please. That sounds perfect.”
He grabs his phone and his card, pauses at the door, and gives me one last look of concern. “You sure you’re okay, baby?”
“Absolutely,” I lie, managing a small smile. “Now scoot. This girl needs her ice cream.”
Chapter 37
Maddox
Iknow she’s not here as soon as I step foot in my apartment, and I’m filled with the kind of cold, powerless dread that drenches you, seeps into every fiber of your being. It makes me want to vomit. “Ellie?” I call out her name anyway as I race through the apartment.
No answer.
“Ellie, baby,” I shout louder.
Still no answer.Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.I take out my cell. No missed calls from her, no text messages. So, where is she? Her purple purse, the one she never goes anywhere without, is right there on the floor.
But the door was locked. She wouldn’t have opened the door to anyone without checking who was there after what happened yesterday. And if she was scared, she’d have called me. Or the police. Or one of my brothers. There’s also no sign of a struggle or forced entry, which means she must have willingly left the apartment.
I dial her number.
It rings and goes to voicemail.
Shit. Fuck. Fuck.
I dial King’s number. He was smart enough to suggest putting trackers on our phones last night. Thank fuck he did. He answers breathless, like he was working out or fucking my brother. “Everything okay, Mad?’
“Ellie’s not here. I need you to track her cell phone, King. She’s not answering and I don’t know where she is. She was supposed to be sitting on the couch in some work meeting. And she’s not fucking here.” I hear the fear in my voice, so I know that he does, too.
“I’ll find her, Maddox. It will be okay. Mason says to go to your dad’s house and we’ll all meet there, okay.”
I nod, frantic, even though he can’t see me. What if there’s an innocent explanation and I’m about to start World War III? But there can’t be. No way she’d be cruel enough to disappear and let me think something bad had happened if she had no reason to.
Instinct tells me this isverybad.
