CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CAMERAS FLASH WILDLY as I leave the Hughe’s gala. Constant questions about whether or not I have or will move on? What happened that night in California? Have we come close to finding her? They shout in loud groups, hurting my head.
“Call me.” A woman’s voice says suddenly uncomfortably close to my ear. Her arm wraps around to my chest holding me on the stairs, while her other hand slips into my pocket. Her hand on my chest moves, and I snatch throwing it off me. Pulling what undoubtedly is her phone number out of my pocket, I shove it back at her. Without a glance in her direction, I finish making my way down the steps to where Mark is holding the car door open for me.
“Another rejection, sir? “ He looks at me with an amused expression.
Getting in the car, Dwayne hands me a phone as Mark shuts the door. “This one is secure. We also changed your number as a precaution. However, we ask that you try to refrain from making any calls to Wolf unless we know about it. We just want to make sure no one can tap into your calls.”
“Have we heard anything on whether or not Luke was a dead end? I don’t remember either of you telling me.”
They exchange a look before Mark clears his throat and pulls us away from the Hughes. Mark glances at me in the rearview mirror before speaking. “That’s because we don’t know yet. Luke apparently is a real person. The problem is figuring out whether or not he is who we are looking for.”
“Are you thinking identity theft?”
“Were not sure yet.” Dwayne says, his husky voice grim.
It’s an hour into driving home when Mark get’s a frantic call from Martha, telling us not to come home. Mark takes her off speaker phone listens to the rest of her call through his headset. Without warning Mark spins the car around, forcing me to grip the handle of the door.
“I’m sorry, sir. But there has been a break in at the penthouse.”
My blood runs cold. “While Martha was there?”
“Thankfully not. She arrived afterward. She said the entire place was in shambles, and your office turned upside down. Though there doesn’t appear to be anything missing.” Mark say’s.
“What were they looking for?”
“I’m assuming the files Wolf had sent. Good thing I marked what we needed and sent them back to him.” Mark says, his voice taking on a grimmer tone.
“How? We just discussed that this afternoon, and I was looking at them at home.”
Mark glances toward Dwayne, then back at the road. “Dwayne grabbed them before we walked out. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Until we can secure the apartment I’m taking you home.”
Home. I was hoping not to set foot in that place until I found her. It was hard enough getting used to even sleeping in the guest room at the apartment. How am I going to get comfortable at home? Her home. She picked it. I bought it for us. I don’t ever go there without her. My pulse quickens as anxiety fills my veins.
Two hours later, Mark pulls into the garage at the house. Reluctantly, I get out of the car and stand staring at the door leading into the mudroom. After twenty or so minutes and with a hesitant breath, I turn the knob and walk in. Mark and Dwayne are quiet as the scoot past me, making their way further into the house.
As they clear each room, I slowly force my feet to carry me slowly into the kitchen. I hear her laugh by the vast marble island covered in flour as she kneads dough to make fresh bread. I can almost smell the sour dough loaf she baked that day. I remember coming up behind her and holding her close, before our rather intimate moment on top of the island.
“All clear!” Mark and Dwayne call out to each other, halting my thoughts.
If they know where my penthouse is, wouldn’t they know where the house is? Then again, I did make sure no one except Autumn and I knew about this house. When I bought it, I used a third party. I wanted her to be safe when I had to travel without her. It was the only way I could keep her off the grid, but still know where she was.
Grabbing a glass of Pinot, I settle on the sofa as Mark and Dwayne come in the room. “Are we sure it was the same people?”
“Of course we cannot be sure. We have men there dusting for prints now.” Dwayne’s brow creases. “Everything, from the fire to now has been so well articulated. It’s as if they spent years planning every last detail. That being said, I do believe they are slipping up.”
Mark crosses his arms over his chest. An action he does when he disagrees but is willing to listen. “How so?” He asks narrowing his gaze at Dwayne.
“Honestly, I don’t think either of them were ever supposed to survive that night. This plan was more of a contingency. Why show up at the apartment and leave it a mess? From what Martha said the entire place was wrecked. For what purpose.” He stops and looks out the window before continuing. “I think Wolf is right. I think we are on the right track, and they know it.”
“Those are fair points Dwayne.” Mark says scrubbing the shadow along his jaw. I didn’t notice how stressed he looked until now. Is it the situation? Or have I been that much of a drain on him lately?
“You’re right though. There was no reason for them to trash the whole place. If we are going that route, I would say whoever is in charge doesn’t know the extent of the situation. Unless, they are just trying rattle us. I would assume by now things would have come to an end. I have a feeling this will get a lot worse before we have solved everything.” He finishes, sticking his hands in his pockets.
Dwayne runs his fingers through his blond hair, then down his face. “What do we do now?”
“Nothing tonight.” Mark says, then looks at me. “You need rest. I won’t have any new information for you about Wolf’s lead until I hear from him. He said he wouldn’t get back to me until he knew it was a dead end or he found her. I promise to keep you updated. As well as on anything we find out about Luke and Christopher.”
“Fine.” I say standing. “Is it safe to call Brandon? I was planning on reaching out to him tomorrow.”
“I don’t see why not. Just let us know when you want to call and we will secure the line.”
I nod and start to the master. Halting at the short hall I glance at my watch and realize it isn’t as late as I thought. “Actually, I would like to do it now.”
“It’s late, sir.”
“Not for him. This timing will be better for us both. It doesn’t interfere with work.”
“Give me a moment.” Mark says pulling his phone out, and after a moment says, “Give me a secured line.”
A second later, he hands me his cell already dialing Brandons number.
“Hello boy. It’s been a while.” Brandon says after a couple rings.
“You do know I have grown up quite a bit.” I chuckle.
“Of course, but you are half my age. So you will forever be “boy” to me. How can I help you?”
I glance up at Mark and Dwayne. They are both watching me closely as if they anticipate how the conversation is going to go. I feel my feet suddenly head towards the Master and my free hand waving them off.
“You don’t normally call this late, boy. What do you need?” Brandon asks again.
“I’m having a bit of a problem. It’s forced me to look back on somethings and I realized I never followed up with you about your son, Christopher.”
I hear him intake a sharp breath. “What about him?”
“How was he when you two left?”
“Angry. Honestly, we haven’t spoken since then.” He says, his ragged voice sounding sad.
I’m about to tell him how sorry I am when I walk into the master bedroom. My conversation halted by the memory of us fighting, then christening the new bed, the night we moved in. My chest aches and my stomach churns at the memory.
“Are you there?” Brandon says, a bite in his tone.
I shake my head free of the memory and focus on my call. “Yes, I’m here. Sorry, Brandon.” I take a breath, realizing I’m suddenly shaking.
“What is troubling you? I don’t think I have ever heard you like this before.” Brandon’s tone is soft and raspy. Cleary belong to a man of wisdom and age.
“I apologize if I was the cause of your rift. That was never my intention.”
“Of course it wasn’t. We had a rift because he was to stupid to know what he had. He was childish and embarrassing. I didn’t raise him that way. But it showed me just how spoiled he was.” He takes a breath, and I hear the faintest sound of ice clinking the sides of a glass. “He was mad because I sided with you. He moved out that very night.”
“So you have no idea what he has been up to?”
“No. Does your problem have to do with him?” His voice suddenly takes on a worried edge.
I collapse in a chair near the expansive bedroom windows, overlooking the pool illuminated by thousands of tiny white lights. I run my fingers through my hair before resting my head on the heel of my hand. “I’m not sure.” I finally say, my voice barely a whisper.
“Is this about your missing lady? I’m sorry about what happened in California. I’m sure you were—are devastated.”
“Yes, its about her. People think I’m crazy for still looking for her and not giving up hope. I believe I only truly have one person on my side.”
“Don’t worry about what others think. Even if you had no one on your side, it wouldn’t matter. You’re a sweet devoted young man. I have no doubt you will stay that way until the very end. There are so few people in the world like you. Or her.”
“Did you ever meet her?”
“Once. Christopher was with her and their little group one night when I had to pick him up. She seemed lovely. I know he was sweet on her then, but she was too good for him. I can see her with you.”
A flood of warmth spreads through my chest. The way he speaks to me is very much like the way my father did. I think that is why Brandon and I still talk. We both lost what we found in each other.
“I hope this has nothing to do with my son. However, if it does please let me know. Let me know if you need any help. You deserve to be happy.”
I feel a dam about to burst, but I don’t let it. I can’t do that right now. If I break down, I might not be able to stop. My gaze flits to the door at the sound of movement. Mark stands quietly, hands in his pockets, with remorse in his eyes.
“I appreciate the offer. If there is anything you can do I will let you know. Thank you for the chat.”
“Anytime my boy.” And then he’s gone.
I used to hate when he called me boy. I saw it as a sign of disrespect. But the more time we spent together, the more it grew on me. Eventually, I learned it was an endearment.
“He offered to help if we need him too. He has a lot of connections and pull in more areas than you know. He also doesn’t know anything about his son. They have been estranged since the deal.” I tell Mark as I had him back his phone.
He takes it and slides it in his coat pocket. “That was nice of him.”
“It was. See that Wolf has his contact info. If he needs anything it would be better heard from him first hand, rather than a relayed message.”
Mark narrows his gaze, his mouth turning down. “I’m not sure that is wise. We don’t know how secure his line is.”
“I doubt Chris has any interest in his father. Besides I’m sure Wolf knows what to do. See that he has it. Brandon lives in California, he could be a big help to him.”
Though his disagreement is evident in his eyes, he gives me a curt nod, “Yes, sir.”
“Try and get some rest.” He adds turning away, only to stop a few paces late. “I figured you wouldn’t want to sleep in here, so I made sure the guest room was made up for you.”
“Thank you Mark. For everything.”
He gives me a half smile, then turns away. I take a look around the room allowing my mind to drift back to our fight and the night we christened the bed. After what seems like an hour, I realize I can’t stay in here any longer. Twirling her ring between my fingers, I make my way to the guest room.