I was whistling as I got out of the stadium. Tonight was going to be a good night. A good long night.

I had plans to keep my woman busy. Oh yes, we were going to revisit some things tonight. Her sweet mouth for one. Her other hot wet places too.

All of 'em.

I figured I had three or four rounds stored up just thinking about her. I'd worked up a good sweat today too. Tonight, I was going to relax. I'd even let her do some of the work.

But most of all, I was looking forward to seeing her beautiful face. Talking to her. Hearing about her day.

Since she'd softened to me, Camille was a delight to be around. Kind, considerate, and good lord above, the woman was easy on the eyes.

I looked around, ignoring the chicks throwing hot looks my way. They were there every night. And every night I ignored them.

Before it was because I wasn't interested in easy pickins'. I'd always liked to pick my women, not the other way around. Then it was because I was hot for Camille. Now it was because she was mine.

I had something better.

Why go out for burgers when you have steak at home?

In this case though, it was more like comparing cocktail weinies to kobi beef.

And I could hardly wait to get my hands on that steak tonight. I grinned, realizing the old Camille would have had a fit if I compared her to a piece of meat, no matter how pricey it was.

The new Camille on the other hand… well, she would blush prettily and come sit on my lap while I fondled her luscious curves. I was already hard just thinking about it.

I scanned the parking lot for her fancy little sports car.

Nothing.

No limo either.

I frowned, an uneasy feeling settling in the pit of my belly.

"You okay, Wrecker?"

I saw Chuck and the guys coming out of the gate. I shook my head. I was definitely not okay. My phone had no messages.

Camille was going off-plan.

"Give me a lift to the Rivers' place would you?"

Chuck nodded and I climbed in, my hands shaky.

"I heard you were banging the boss's daughter, Dupree. You, my friend, have balls of steel."

"It's not like that. I'm going to marry her."

Chuck whistled and congratulated me. He had no idea I hadn't asked her yet. But it was a fact.

Camille was going to be my wife. Period. End of story.

I stared out the window. I barely paid attention to where we were going. All I could see was my sweet girl, sleeping when I left her this morning. Had she freaked out about something? Had I spooked her with the kids?

Maybe she was having second thoughts.

Maybe she was in trouble.

Maybe she'd changed her mind about me.

I thanked Chuck and jumped out of the car. I ran to the house and inside without waiting for the staff to open the door. I sprinted up the stairs to her room.

It was my worst nightmare. Her favorite things were missing. A good portion of her clothes. Her purse. Her jewelry.

Even the damn cat was gone.

I roared, realizing the unthinkable had happened.

She'd left me. My woman had left me.

A big hole tore right through me, leaving an empty pit in my gut.

I sat down on her bed, my head in my hands. I forced myself to be logical. To think this through. To plan.

To hell with that.

Instead I called her and left a scathing voicemail. I made it clear there would be hell to pay when I found her. I told her she shouldn't have run off on me without letting me know where she was going.

Then I begged her to let me know she was alright.

I hung up and stood there, feeling the void in the room. She was gone. Cami was gone.

It was an hour later when I finally walked down stairs. I'd found an open bottle of her favorite tequila on the dresser and finished it. I was not in the best of states. Her father was in the study when I passed by. He waved me in and offered me a drink.

"You're upset."

I said nothing, just sipped the drink he'd poured me. Not that I should have. I'd had enough. But at the moment, I needed it.

Mr. Rivers cleared his throat.

"Camille left a few hours ago."

I grunted and took a big swig of my bourbon. It was stupid to switch mid stream but I didn't give a damn.

"It must have been urgent. She didn't even wait for them to prep the private jet. She flew commercial. Had to get a second seat and a special letter of permission for that cat of hers."

Just like that, I knew something was wrong. Really wrong. If my fancy ass woman was forgoing luxury she must be upset. By why?

Apparently Mr. Rivers didn't know either.

"You two have a spat or something?"

"No, sir."

"You know Cade, I was pleased as punch when my daughter started seeing you. But this isn't like her at all. She must be really upset about something. You're sure you don't know what that might be?"

I shook my head. I started talking, ending up on my feet. I was on the verge of running out the place to go- where- I didn't know. If she was hurting, if I'd done something stupid, or said something stupid, I would beg for her forgiveness. And then I'd make her beg for mine.

But first, I needed to find her.

Now.

"No. I've been wracking my brain but I can't figure it out. I have to find her. I have to go-"

"You can't Cade. The season starts in two weeks. She could be in the south of France for all we know."

I cursed. I couldn't let the team down. Or the kids. They were counting on me and my paychecks. But Cami was my woman. That trumped everything.

"I need to find her, sir. Respectfully."

"Let me try and track her down Cade. She's my daughter, but I will tell you where she is. On one condition.

"Anything, sir."

"One, you don't hurt her. Two, you just keep your head down and play ball."

I swallowed the rest of my drink. I wasn't used to taking a backseat. This was tearing me up inside. But I didn't have a choice.

"Okay. I'll wait. But I'm going to go and get her. I don't care what else is going on. She belongs with me."

"Alright son. Let me make some calls. You go home and get some rest. Sleep that off."

I hung my head and nodded. I knew I wouldn't sleep a wink until I found her. But I would go home and try and get a few hours at least.

"Goodnight Mr. Rivers."

"Goodnight Cade."