Page 144 of Reveal

I have a hard time drawing in a breath as fear takes hold. One that is so very different and so much the same as the one I felt hours ago with Carter.

Was it really only hours ago?

This can’t be happening. That’s all I keep thinking to myself. This can’t be happening.

“Ryker didn’t hurt me. I—it’s too much to get into. It was a man named Carter Preston.”

“That’s what happens in abusive relationships, Vaughn. You lie to protect the abuser.”

“I’m not lying. It really was—”

“I love you more than he does. I love you, and yet I don’t see any of the things I sent you here. You kept two cards on the desk, but both are from him. Did you throw mine out? Am I not good enough for you?” Each word resonates with more anger than the last.

“Joey—”

“No!”

Another glass from the dish rack slams against the wall.

When I duck, I see my phone and know I need to get to it to call for help.

“Don’t tell me you don’t want me too. I know you do. Do you know how it felt to come and pick up Lucy and see all of the things I bought you on display like you were proud of me? Like you loved me?”

Mayday.

It’s the only word I can think of.

The one I have my girls text me when they’re in trouble.

The one Lola texted me that started all of this. Me confronting Carter. Me meeting Ryker. Me being here right now.

Mayday.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Ryker

The shit I came to get from my office is forgotten as I run out of it—past a startled Bella and out the glass door—my cell ringing in my ear.

“Pick up the phone, Vaughn,” I mutter as I wait for the fucking elevator to climb the floors. “Pick up the goddamn phone.”

It goes to voice mail, and I slam my hand against the closed metal doors in frustration.

I try her house phone, but it doesn’t ring. It just gives the busy signal.

I call her cell again. The voice mail picks up after two rings.

Within seconds my cell is ringing again. “Al!” I shout into it when he picks up. “Where are you? Did you drop Vaughn off?”

“Yeah, man. I walked her to the door. She went in. Why? What’s wrong?”

I squeeze my eyes shut and fear I’m overreacting, but there is something that tells me I’m not. My gut instinct. A hunch. Something is telling me the universe is having a Fuck with Vaughn Day and she’s in trouble.

“How far are you from her house?”

“I’m on the bridge headed back to the city.”

“Fuck!” I shout and slam a palm against the wall. He can’t turn around. He can’t get back to her any faster than I can. “Fuck!”