I look up again across the pool area. There is still no sign of Alex. “Where the hell is he?”

All of a sudden, Conor bursts through the curtain that hangs across the door to the reception. He looks like he’s an over-eager contestant on a game show.

I chuckle, and then realize he is heading in my direction. “Miss Brooke, Miss Brooke,” Conor yells as he runs ‘round the edge of the pool.

I sit up and pull off my sunglasses. Conor gasps for breath resting his hands on his knees.

“Alex, it’s Alex,” he says.

I look at Conor and wonder what the hell he is talking about. “What about Alex, has something happened?”

“He is gone.”

I start laughing. “Don’t be ridiculous. What do you mean he has gone? He wouldn’t have anywhere to go apart from the casino. Shit, the casino,” I scream.

I stand and grab my things. I start walking quickly and all I can think about is the money.

“No, Miss Brooke, it’s nothing like that, he has been taken,” Conor says.

“What do you mean he has been taken?” I ask, confused.

“I was walking back from the club, I got to the reception and noticed a black SUV. I thought it was strange,” Conor explains. “I saw Alex being pushed into the rear seat.”

“Did he say anything to you?” I ask plainly.

Conor shakes his head. “No, he was too far away, he just shook his head slightly to tell me not to interfere,” Conor explains.

“He hasn’t mentioned anyone who is after him from the island. All I know are the ones from Las Vegas.”

Conor looks at me confused. “You mean someone is after him from Las Vegas?”

I rub my head in frustration. I start to walk to Alex’s room. “Yeah, he owes a lot of money to some guys out there,” I say.

Conor sighs. “Fucken hell, he is really in the shit then.”

I give Conor a strong stare. “Please don’t make it sound any worse than it is,” I say.

“Sorry Miss Brooke. I will think before I speak next time.”

We reach Alex’s room and the door is slightly ajar. I go to push it open and Conor puts his hand on my arm. “Let me go first,” he whispers.

I stand back from the door. Conor picks up a plant pot and raises it over his head. He pushes the door open quickly and runs inside screaming. I look at the trail of dirt on the floor that Conor has made.

“All clear, not a fucken sign of him anywhere,” he says.

I check all the drawers, all that remains are his clothes. There is no passport anywhere. It must be the guys from Vegas.

“Well, there is nothing to do in here, get room service to clean his room,” I say. “And where are Beau and Shona?”

“They are having a last look at the club before tonight, they are leaving tomorrow,” Conor explains.

I walk quickly toward the club. I see Beau and Shona walking from around the rear of the building. I put my fingers in my mouth and whistle loudly. It’s not the most lady-like thing to do, but it was one thing I had been good at since I was a small girl.

“What are you in such a hurry for?” Shona asks.

“Alex, he’s gone.”

Shona looks at me in a panic. “Don’t tell me he has run off to the god-damned casino,” she says.

I shake my head as I gasp for breath, my lungs feel like they are on fire. “That would be a blessing. He has been shipped off… back to Vegas in a black vehicle,” I say.

“Fuck, and we can’t do anything until after we fly back tomorrow,” Shona says.

“The worst thing is, we have no idea where he is.”

“Yeah, and I don’t really know anyone that he was close to that we can contact. Shit,” Shona says.

“I know this is a big thing to ask, especially since you already asked me to hold the cash, but would you mind if I flew to Vegas?”

“Brooke, we can’t stop you, it’s not as if you work for us,” Shona says.

“I know that, but you trusted me with something and I just wanted to ask first,” I say.

“Of course you can, are you okay? You know for cash or stuff?” Beau says.

“Yes, I have more than enough to last me,” I say.

“When will you go?” Shona asks.

“I might be able to get one this evening, or in the middle of the night at least,” I say.

“Have a look and let us know, and we will need a contact number for you,” Shona says.

“Of course, no problem.” I reply, feeling worried.

“Beau, do you know anyone who can help Brooke in Vegas?” Shona asks.

“I don’t know anyone, maybe Ty knows someone who can help. I will call him in a while,” Beau says.

I smile at Shona and Beau, “I would appreciate that, there are a few too many lights for me there,” I say.

“I know there are definitely too many lights there for Alex, that’s why he is in such a mess,” Shona says.

“Not for long, we will be able to save him soon,” I say. “Hopefully.”

I turn and begin walking back up the field with Shona and Beau.

“Don’t forget, we are here if you need anything, and Beau will let you know about Ty,” Shona says.

We exchange phone numbers. I walk quickly up the field to the hotel. The sun has gone past its highest point, so it will not be long before it starts dropping.

“God Alex, why did you get yourself into all this mess?”

I get back to my room and wash my face with cold water. I hit the air con, turning it on, and get my laptop from my bag. I sit there fumbling with my new silver cross… praying as I wait for the laptop to start.

“Please, God, make sure Alex is safe,” I find myself praying.

I was less sure now that praying worked, than I was before. Only now, I was hoping that it did work, and it would help, even if it was a small help.

I wasn’t sure if it was the praying or rubbing the cross that did it, but the only flight for later was one that had been delayed for three hours. I quickly check with the airline; if I can get there within the next two hours, I can still get on the flight.

I grab the bag of money and pack a few things into my backpack and head out the door. I head toward the reception and can see Beau who is just putting his phone away. Shona comes walking from the bathroom and smiles.

“You’ve managed to get a flight?” she asks.

“Yes, there is one flight that should have left just after three, and it’s been delayed due to a check-in problem. If I get there within two hours I can make it,” I say.

“I think someone is definitely out to help you,” Beau says.

“Why is that?” I ask.

“I forgot about one person who both Ty and Joseph know, they have moved back to Vegas,” Beau says.

“Who’s that?” Shona asks, puzzled.

“You remember Bell?” Beau asks.

“I do remember her, she had a bit of a crush on Joseph… and Stacey,” Shona says.

“Who is Bell?” I ask.

“She is probably the best person to look after you,” Shona says.

“Is she a cop or something like that?”

“She was undercover in a bike gang, so she knows her way around the streets.”

“How will I recognize her?”

Shona looks at me. “I will text you her number, then just look out for the hottest girl you can see with jet black hair.” Shona puts her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, within a few days we will have you and Alex back here and it will all seem like a bad dream.”

“Shona, I do hope you are right.”

“I know I am.”

“It’s not possible, how can a person just vanish?”