I was in the study, nursing yet another drink. I'd been drinking heavily since Cami walked out on me over a week ago. It was stupid but I didn't care. For some reason it hadn't seemed to affect my game at all.

Not yet anyway.

My woman was gone. At least now I knew where. Mr. Rivers was talking. I forced myself to listen.

"Relax, she's in New York. And you are going to be there in a few days anyway."

I nodded and sipped, sipped and nodded. I was numb to everything. This should have been the best time of my life, and I was empty inside.

Cami didn't want me after all.

But dammed if I was going to let her get away without telling me why.

I stared at the drink in my hand. Set it down. Decided not to touch another drop until I had my answer.

I needed to be stone cold sober for our little reunion.

"I respectfully request to leave early sir."

Mr. Rivers took a hard look at me, and then nodded.

"Go on Cade. I hope you can sort this out. I like you, son."

I stood. I was going hunting. My prey was just over five feet tall and easy to spot in the wild. But I would still need to be crafty. She was smarter than anyone I'd ever met before. She might be the one to catch me.

Hell, the woman already had snagged me. Hook, line and sinker. I didn't mind though. Turns out, I liked being caught.

Until she left me with this huge empty feeling inside.

I didn't like that part of it at all.

"But Cade, don't hurt her. I don't want to have to trade you."

"I would never hurt her, sir. On my honor."

I shook his hand and left, eager to catch a flight and be on my way. I packed all my belongings and took one last look at my suite. It had been a great place, while I had Camille.

Now it just felt empty.

I drove to the airport, planning to just catch the next flight, no matter what airline it was on or what it cost. Turns out, Mr. Rivers had called ahead for me. He made it easy and I was grateful for that. I was nursing one hell of a hangover on the plane, chugging power drinks the whole way.

I needed to be on top of my game for this.

I stared out the window the entire flight. I had Cami's address in New York. I had my address.

I wasn't sure which one to go to first.

I sniffed myself. I better shower and drop my bags off. She would not be impressed if I showed up like this. I still had the faint stench of bourbon on me.

The stewardess offered me a drink and I declined, sipping some sparkling water mixed with my fruity power drink instead. I was going to clean up my act. I had a woman to catch and bats to wreck.

I needed my A game, dammit.

I hailed a cab and headed right downtown. I walked into my new building, nodded at the doorman and went upstairs. Looked around for about thirty seconds and dropped my bags on the floor. The place was fully furnished, even down to sheets and towels.

I took the world's fastest shower, only slowing down to shave. Then I was off, in another cab and flying up the FDR towards the Rivers' townhouse. It was enormous and imposing. It just reminded me again how different she was.

Maybe she wanted a rich guy.

I scowled. I was a rich guy now. She'd just have to deal with my hillbilly roots dammit.

Maybe I should have tied her down already with a ring. I cursed, realizing that must be it. I would get her a ring.

That was it. I would do what I should have done to begin with. The moment I laid eyes on her.

I was going to marry the fuck out of her.

I rang the doorbell and waited, my mind already searching for a place to get the hardware. Camille would want a big diamond, I was sure of it. I needed a ring size too, didn't I? I could get a few rings maybe, in different sizes.

Yeah that made sense. That was the quickest way to get her hooked. One of them had to fit. I almost turned around right then, heading to a jeweler. But I was too eager to see my woman. I stood my ground.

I would make this right. I had to.

The doorbell opened to an older woman in a starched uniform. She gestured me inside.

"Please come in Mr. Dupree. Mr. Rivers told us to expect you. I'm Mrs. Crample, the housekeeper."

I walked into the living room and waited. The housekeeper stood there, looking uncertain.

"Please sit down."

"I'd prefer to stand."

"Would you like something to drink?"

"No, thank you."

I leaned against the mantle, waiting.

"I'd like to see Camille now."

The woman's hands gave her away. She was wringing them. I cursed under my breath before she even said the words.

"She's gone, sir."

"Where did she go?"

"I'm not sure, sir."

"When?"

"Yesterday."

It was almost as if she was fucking with me. My sweet, surly, sneaky as fuck Camille. Oh yeah, she was one step ahead.

But not for long.

I was so angry I barely said a word. I just walked out the door into the streets. I barely even noticed that it was raining. I didn't even bother to ask for an umbrella.

I walked downtown blindly, barely taking note of the traffic signals. I was fuming, literally giving off steam in the drizzle.

She ran out on me again.

That was twice now.

I was beside myself with worry and shock. Nobody walked out on Cade Dupree. No woman had ever left me unless I kicked them out of my bed.

And I'd kicked a lot of them out over the years.

I was a bachelor. The kind of man who wouldn't settle down. I didn't want to, ever.

Until her.

The woman had me more tied up than a rabbit in a briar patch. I was hooked the moment I saw her. I was toast.

I was burnt toast.

Damn it Camille… where are you?

I walked past a fancy looking jeweler and paused. They had diamonds in there. That's what I needed.

Diamonds.

And then I had to figure out how the hell to find her.