AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I sent the text, hoping she gets my meaning.
I call Alex to give him the heads up about Stella contacting him. Next, I dial Xavier.
“Hey, buddy!” He greets.
“Xavi,” I say simply, and already he gets that something is very wrong.
“What happened?”
“Stella’s gone.” Saying it out loud makes it a hundred times worse.
“Gone? What do you mean gone?”
“She left a note... She’s headed back to New York.”
“Fuck. What happened?”
“I’m at a loss here, Xavi. No clue. We were good the last time I talked to her which was this morning. I was hoping you might have some idea, that she might have gotten in touch with you guys. “
“No, she hasn’t. Hang on Brooke is here.” The line falls silent for a moment, leaving me to my swirling thoughts until he returns. “No man, she has no idea. Did something happen between you two?” he asks. “You think she found out about London?” I’d been on the phone to Xavier when the woman cornered me.
“Possibly, but that doesn’t seem like enough to drive her away. Not like this. I know her. Which is why I suspect she left because she had no choice.”
“You think something forced her to leave?”
“Or someone.” I pause, gathering my thoughts before voicing the suspicion that’s been gnawing at me. “I think Don is somehow involved.”
Four years ago, I helped his wife disappear, a move that dealt him a huge financial blow. Did he become aware of my involvement and decide to retaliate?
“You seriously think Don could arrange that?”
I shrug even though Xavier can’t see me. It’s the easiest way to cripple me. Don knew Stella was his way of getting to me.
Xavier’s voice is all business. “So what’s your move now?”
“First, find Stella, make sure she’s safe.”
“Got it. I’ll put feelers out in all my hotels and places I have connections within New York.”
“I also need to take the pressure off her.”
“Meaning?”
“Give her some space. If Don or his minion is threatening her, they’ll want to see that she’s really left me.”
I can hear the wheels turning in Xavier’s head as the silence stretches. “Please man, tell me that’s all you plan to do.”
“You already know what’s coming Xavi. If Don is behind this and he’s desperate enough to come after Stella... He won’t stop until he becomes CEO of Ocean Gate.”
“Ryan—”
“He’s toying with the one thing I can’t afford to lose Xavi.”
“So are you then just going to let him take your birthright?”
“No, Xavi” I smile in spite of myself. “I’ll give it to him.”
“Ryan—”
