“Zoe,” Tyler said and placed his hand on my shoulder causing me to jump. “Oh shit, I’m sorry, baby.”

“Ty.” I turned and buried my head in his chest. “What was I thinking?”

“What?” He pulled me back slightly.

The nightclub was fucking loud and I needed silence. “Why did I beg him to come here? This is all my fault.”

“You both were upset. I get it. Charlie reamed my ass when you left.”

I could see it now, Charlie giving Tyler a piece of her mind. That girl had fire inside of her. “We went back to Stephen’s place and just hung out.” I didn’t want to tell him we also had sex. “I took a nap. Then at some point I had the urge to dance.”

“Zoe, it’s okay.” He placed his hand on the side of my face and bent so we were eye-to-eye. “I know how much I hurt Stephen. I was wrong.” He dropped his hand and walked over to the barstool that sat by a two-top round table. “I was wrong, Zo.”

“Hey.” I sat down in front of him and grabbed his hand. “He really cares about you.”

“And I hurt him.”

“We can’t focus on that right now,” I said and jumped off the barstool. “We need to find him. His car is still right where he parked it.” We sat there in silence for few minutes. “Let me ask a manager if maybe we can check the back door by the dumpsters.”

“Why would he be out there?” Tyler followed behind me as I made my way to the bar.

“Why is he missing?” I waved the bartender down. “Can we speak with your manager?” The guy nodded and I turned to face Tyler. I reached for his hands. “Hey.” I moved his head to face me. “I missed you today.”

His body visibly relaxed. “Oh, Zo, I missed you both so damn much.”

“I was getting used to four hands touching me.” He lightly laughed and stepped forward. Right as he was about to kiss me, a woman who was most likely the manager appeared. I quickly turned and reached out my hand. “Hi, you’re the manager, right?”

A young woman, maybe in her thirties, stood to the right of me. She had on a suit jacket and long pants with crazy high heels. “Yes. How can I help you?” She had a brash sound to her voice, and I think she actually rolled her eyes when she walked up beside us.

“Yes, my friend and I came together tonight, but now he’s missing.” I wanted to continue but she interrupted me.

“That happens a lot here. Is that all?”

“No.” I turned to face her, straightened my back and puffed out my chest. “I wasn’t finished.”

“Miss, I’m really busy tonight. I can’t sit and worry about every man or woman that decides to go home with someone else. It’s the story of my life.”

“Wow, I can tell you’re happy in your job.” I was pissed now. Before she could give me a comeback, I continued. “Now, I don’t care about any other man or woman here. I care about my friend. Can we see your back door or any of the doors that lead to the outside in this building?”

“Why?”

“Well, as we discussed, my friend is missing and I want to find him. Since his car is still here—”

“Wait.” She held her hand up. “The car is still here?”

“Yes, so can we see the back doors? Please.”

I wasn’t in the mood for bullshit tonight. The woman made it clear she hated her job. I didn’t care. She was here and I needed her help.

She let out a heavy sigh and turned. “Follow me.”

“Is that Stephen’s shoe?” I ran forward and squatted down by the back door.

“Don’t touch it.” Tyler bent down beside me.

“What?” I looked up at him. My hand was just an inch away from picking it up.

“It’s his.” He sighed and dropped his head. “I need to call the police.” He stood and pulled out his phone.

I stayed rooted to the spot, and I couldn’t take my eyes off the shoe. Stephen was always so well-dressed and tonight was no different. He had on a pair of suede, plain-toe Oxfords. I could see him walking out of his room with his dark blue dress cargos accompanied with a light blue button-down shirt. When he stepped up beside me in his kitchen, I could see his shoes matched his pants. Of course, I had to tease him. Dressing to the nine was just his thing, and he did it well. Very well.

“Yes, Noir Nightclub,” I heard Tyler say to the person on the phone.

His voice became muffled, and I was finding it hard to hear anything. I placed my hands over my ears, confused by the silence. Then my head felt light and I tried to focus on the shoe.

“Zoe,” I heard from beside me and warm arms wrapped around my waist.

As my head fell back against Tyler’s arm—I hoped it was Ty—my eyes latched onto something red on the bottom of the door. With a rubber-like arm, I reached out and pointed at the spot. I tried to say “look” but nothing escaped. My voice was gone.

“Zoe, what’s wrong? What is it?”

Finally after several tries, I was able to make a squeak. Well, that’s how it sounded to my ears. I continued to point and found a way to say, “There. Look.”

Tyler followed my eyes and while still holding me, he bent down. “What—” I noticed how he was about to say something else and then he went quiet. Maybe he lost his voice, too. “It can’t be.”

I found the strength to reach for his hand and bring it to my chest. “Ty…I don’t…understand.”

He pulled my body close and rocked me back and forth. “I don’t either, Zo.”

We stayed there until the police arrived. Then they called in the investigators. We were huddled together off to the side away from the spot where Stephen had last been. I was sitting on Tyler’s lap with my arms wrapped so tightly around his neck. I was afraid to let go. Afraid to admit to myself what was really happening. The investigators that were combing the crime scene, that’s what they were calling it now “a crime scene,” had been working on the unsolved missing persons’ case.

There was this random bench behind the nightclub that we found and used it to help keep us from falling. Although, I think we already fell. We were lost and we needed Stephen back to balance this triangle we created together.

One of the investigators walked over and sat down on the bench beside us. “I’m Alan. My partner and I are working the case and I need to ask you a few questions.” He reached out his hand for Tyler to shake. I was still holding Ty too tight to care about greetings. “There is footage on the security camera.”

My body lifted up. “What did you say?”

“We have the struggle on tape. The victim did not go willingly.”

“Stephen. We don’t know if he’s a victim yet.”

“I’m sorry. Stephen, definitely put up a fight when he was dragged out the door.”

I closed my eyes trying to take in his words. “Wait, do you think it was the serial killer who has been abducting those innocent people?”

“We haven’t made this public yet, but yes, he or she has potentially taken their fourth victim.” He cleared his throat. “Fourth person.”

“Did you find Andy?” The gym had not been the same since Andy was taken several days ago.

“No. We’re looking for him still.” He looked over at the other investigator and then back toward us. “The video was the first time the killer has been seen on camera.”

“How do you know it’s him?” Tyler said and started to tap his fingers on my back.

“Everything here follows with the suspects M.O.”

“What does that mean? You’ll be able to find Stephen?”

“We have something more to go on now.” He stood up. “We have all your information and we’ll contact you soon.”

I watched as he walked away. “He’ll be okay. He has to be okay.” I jumped off of Tyler’s lap and took a few steps backwards.

“Zoe, watch out, baby.” He grabbed for my hand and pulled me back against his body. “They’ll find him. He’ll be okay.”

I threw my fist against his chest and screamed. The pain I felt was stronger than anything I had ever experienced in my life. “Ty, take me to your place. I need to see your gym.” What I really meant was, I need to find a way to release this anger. This fear.

I leaned against Ty, needing that support, and thought about how I wanted to be wrapped in Tyler and Stephen’s arms one more time.