“She was signed out earlier today.”
My hand opens.
The pen drops against the clipboard with a sharp little clatter.
Maverick’s voice is calm. “By whom?”
The secretary swallows. “I’m sure it was just a misunderstanding. Let me check—”
“By whom?” he repeats.
I grip the edge of the counter.
“What do you mean she was picked up?” I ask frantically.
A woman in the back office looks over.
The secretary’s face pales. “It says here she was signed out at twelve forty-three.”
“Twelve forty-three?” My voice comes out wrong. Thin. Sharp. “That was hours ago.”
“Yes, ma’am, but—”
“No.” I shake my head. “No. That’s not possible. We didn’t pick her up.”
Maybe someone from the estate.
The thought flashes through my mind, desperate and wild.
Maybe Sabrina got sick. Maybe someone picked up the girls together. Maybe Stefano forgot to tell me. Maybe Luca sent a car.
Maverick already has his phone in his hand.
“Stefano,” he says, voice low into the call. “Do you have Olivia?”
My knees weaken.
I stare at him.
His face doesn’t change, but something lethal moves behind his eyes.
“No,” he says after a beat. “Stay where you are.”
He ends the call but I already know the answer.
My heart starts pounding so hard I hear it in my ears.
I turn back to the secretary. “Who took my daughter?”
“Ms. Moore, please try to stay calm.”
That snaps something inside me.
“Do not tell me to stay calm.” My voice shakes. “My ten-year-old daughter was signed out of this school hours ago without my permission. Who took her?”
The woman from the back office steps forward. “There was identification.”
My blood goes cold.
