Chapter Thirteen – Elise

“You wrote a song for Thor?” Elise was impressed. So was Hank by the expression on his face. “You had fun.”

“I did. I didn’t know how much I missed music until I opened myself up to it again.” He caught hold of her and swung her around the kitchen. Elise laced her hands around his neck and hung on.

“You’re a new man.”

“I am. The third incarnation of Hank Rivera.” He held up his hand as if imagining a headline in a magazine. “Has a ring to it, doesn’t it?”

“It does.” They slowed, although the room still spun around as she caught her breath.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, reading her shift in mood.

“Are you ready for what might be dredged up?” Elise grimaced. “Sorry. I don’t want to inject the voice of doom.”

His face cracked into a smile and he shrugged. “I can take care of myself. I know there’s a chance those affected by my father might make complaints about him. If they haven’t already. I’ll give them whatever support I can.”

“That might mean you speaking out against him.” Elise placed her hand on his arm. “Against your father.”

“Yes. I know. Not that I saw anything. Not anything specific. Mostly there were rumors among the band when we were on tour. Then a young woman came to my dressing room door and told me what had happened. My father denied it, of course. At that time, I didn’t know who to believe. The look in my father’s eyes told me he had something to hide.” Hank dragged his hand through his blond hair, which masked the gray hairs at his temples unless you looked closely. He was ageless.

“Listen. Whatever happens, we face it together. If these women step forward, let the police do their job and tell them the truth.”

Hank sat down at the table. “Can I borrow this?” He indicated her laptop.

“Sure.” Elise sat down next to him. “You’re going to Google him?”

“Yeah. I figured I should know what he’s been up to these last thirty years.” Hank swallowed hard. “What if he’s dead? I told myself so many times I didn’t care.”

“But you do.” Elise hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder. “Let’s find out.”

Hank tapped on the keyboard and searched for his dad on Google. “That’s him.” Hank leaned forward and studied the face staring back at him. “He went on to become a record producer.”

“Click here.” Elise pointed to his biography. “Lewis Rivera.” She skim-read the bio.

“He remarried.” Hank's voice faltered. “I never expected him to. He had another child.” Hank placed his hand on the laptop and snapped it shut. “All this time I thought he might regret what he did, but he moved on.”

“At least no one can ambush you with the news.” Elise cupped his face in her hands and turned him to face her. “Let it go. Don’t allow the pain back in.”

Hank leaned forward and kissed her lips, his fingers curling into her hair. “How can I when I have you to chase it away?”

“I love you, Hank. I love the life we’ll have together.” She leaned in for another kiss when her phone rang. “Sorry. It might be Frankie.”

“I understand.”

It wasn’t Frankie. Elise stood up and walked to the window. “Hello.” She listened to the voice at the other end of the phone. “I haven’t seen him since he left work this afternoon. He finished up the network and left early.” She switched her attention to Hank. “I’m going to put you on speaker. One moment.”

“What’s wrong?” Hank frowned at her, concerned. “Are the babies okay?”

“It’s Thor’s dad,” she mouthed quietly. “Thor hasn’t come home.”

“He’s over eighteen,” Hank mouthed back.

“We should listen to his dad.” She placed the phone down on the table and pressed speaker. “Hank’s here, too.”

“Hi, Hank. I know this sounds like we’re overreacting, but he left a note. At least a text.” Thor’s dad paused.

“What did it say?” Elise asked.

“That it was better for everyone if he left and not to worry.” Thor’s dad’s voice shook. “We know something is wrong but he won’t open up to us. He’s never been secretive. I just wondered if he’d said anything when he was at the hospital today, Elise.”

“No.” Elise shook her head. “He left early.”

“I saw him afterward,” Hank admitted. “I spoke to him. We’re certain there’s a girl involved.”

Elise rested her face in her hands. How much were they supposed to say without destroying Thor’s trust in them? “Listen, why don’t we try to find him? Wait at home and call if he comes back.” She lifted her face and glanced at Hank, who nodded.

“Talk to you later,” Hank said and ended the call. “Good thinking, let’s go back to the hotel and track his movements from there.”

Elise nodded. “I need to change out of my work clothes.” She ran upstairs, stripped off her smart suit and dragged on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Sweat beaded on her forehead and she went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face before patting it dry and going back downstairs.

“You look hot.” Hank’s lips twitched at the corners.

“I feel hot,” Elise replied in her sultry voice, rubbing her body against his as she reached for her purse. “Ready to go?”

“I was.” He wiped his own forehead. “Now I’m hot, too.”

“Well, you need to set aside all your own needs and desires while we find Thor.” She turned around and left the kitchen, knowing exactly the effect she had on Hank.

Opening the front door, she felt his presence directly behind her. “After we find Thor, I’m going to indulge myself.” His arm snaked around her waist and he kissed her neck, before releasing her and jogging to his truck.

Elise locked the door behind them and joined him, grateful for the air conditioning. “Will this weather ever break?”

“Weather man side we might get a storm later. Let’s hope it doesn’t before we find Thor. We might have to track him by scent.” Hank drove his truck to the hotel, their conversation stilted. Elise had to feel sorry for her mate. He’d been so full of enthusiasm about the songs he’d written. There was also the brooding cloud of his father overhead, too.

“I assume he drove here from the hospital,” Elise said as they got out of the truck and headed for the reception area.

“Lauren’s car is here. maybe he ran into her,” Hank suggested.

“And what?” Elise pushed the door open and they went inside. “That conversation could have tipped him over the edge.”

“Elise, Hank. Are you here to talk about the festival? Only you’ve missed Julius.” Emily came around from behind the reception desk and then hesitated. “What’s wrong?”

“Have you seen Thor?” Hank asked quietly. There were guests milling around and he didn’t want anyone to overhear.

“Not since this afternoon. I saw him arrive and then leave. Didn’t he find you in the gardens?” Emily searched their faces for information. “You have to tell me what’s wrong.”

“His dad called. He said Thor might have run away,” Elise replied.

“He is eighteen.” Emily shrugged. “At that age, I was ready to leave home.”

“We think there’s more to it than that.” Behind Emily, Lauren appeared looking pale. “Lauren, honey. Do you have any information? Anything that could help.”

Lauren shook her head. Her shifter hearing must have picked up the conversation. “Thor’s gone?” She trembled and her face went white.

“I think you need to tell us what’s happened,” Elise took Lauren’s hands. “Emily, is there somewhere private we can talk?”

“Sure, use Julius’s office. He won’t mind. But before you leave, please tell me what’s happening. I’m in charge of the hotel.” Emily’s confidence teetered for a moment. “And I want to help.”

“We’ll let you know as soon as we know.” Elise took Lauren’s hand and followed Hank to the office. “Right, Lauren. Sit down. You look like you’re in shock.” Elise helped Lauren to a seat and hunkered down in front of her. As the color returned to her cheeks, Elise took a sharp intake of breath. “Lauren, your skin.”

Lauren’s frightened eyes met hers and she put her hands over her cheeks. “Don’t say anything, please, I don’t want Thor to know. It’s better if he just thinks I’m done with him.”

“I think he deserves the truth, Lauren,” Elise said gently. Her heart ached for Lauren and Thor. Could fate be so cruel to end this love before it had even begun?