The door sways slightly on its hinges. I feel the loss of her more than I thought I would. Her rose and honey scent slowly fades from the room, somehow making it feel even more empty. For a second, I just stare at the space she left behind. My jawtightens. I’m not surprised she ran. My fingers flex at my sides, regardless. I wasn’t finished with that kiss. Not even close.
“My office. Now.”
As we make our way upstairs to my office, the memory hits me again without warning. I knew she would taste amazing, butfuck—I didn’t expect how soft her lips would be. The way her body molded so perfectly into my own almost had me weak at the knees. And the moan she let out… Fuck, I could have come in my pants right there and then.
I drag a hand down my face and force the thoughts back. Kat isn’t the problem in front of me right now. If Cain is coming by unannounced, it means some shit has gone down.
Arriving at my office, I sink into my chair, taking a moment to adjust myself under my desk.
“Bad time, boss?” Cain asks with a knowing smirk.
I let out a frustrated sigh before pulling a pack of cigarettes from my top drawer and lighting one, savoring the pleasant burn in my throat.
“Lay it out, Cain. You said this was life and fucking death,”
Cain’s eyes lose their humor. I’m no longer looking at Cain, my friend. Cain, my enforcer, has taken over.
Good.
“There’s been another,” he says, voice hushed.
The words hang in the air between us. For a moment, neither of us speaks. I lean back slightly in my chair, studying him through the curling smoke.
“Another, what?” I ask carefully, although I already know the answer.
“Disappearance.”
My body goes cold. I had guessed, but that doesn’t make hearing it any easier. “That makes three,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck.
Cain nods.
One or two disappearances, you can resign to coincidence. But three? Something is happening. And it’s happening right under my fucking nose. That thought alone is enough to make my teeth grind. This city runs through me. Every shipment. Every club. Every back-alley deal—it all moves through the same network, whether people realize it or not. Which means only one thing…
Someone thinks they can work around me.
“What do you know?” I ask, taking a long drag of my cigarette.
“Not much, boss,” he replies, his face solemn. “They’re moving closer to downtown. They started in the suburbs, but this one is practically on our doorstep.” He hands me a photo from his pocket, crumpled at the edges. “Her name is Maya.”
Taking the photograph in my hands, I commit her face to memory. She’s pretty with soft features, her dark hair highlighting her pale skin. She’s wearing a black dress that hides her curves, and she’s holding up a beer. She looks happy. They always fucking do. It’s like whoever is taking these girls is hellbent on finding the brightest sparks, intent on snuffing out the light. My thumb drags across the edge of the photo before I realize what I’m doing—and I stop, placing the photo back on the desk.
“She could easily have been a customer here. She looks like the type.”
Cain nods in agreement.
“Send this photo to Gareth,” I order as I press the call button on Gareth’s contact, putting him on speakerphone. He answers on the second ring.
“Boss?” Gareth asks, concern piquing in his voice.
“I need you to search the security footage of Headstone and see if you can find the missing girl on any of it,” I tell him. It’s not a question; it’s an order.
“I’ve just sent you the photo, G,” Cain says, pocketing his phone quickly.
“Of course. But boss,” there’s a hint of hesitation in his voice. “That could take days… weeks, maybe.”
“You have full use of The Circle’s resources. We have software for this kind of thing. Use it.” I stub out my cigarette and immediately light another. “Organize extra security for all employees in every one of my establishments. Make sure they get home safely every night. Word is bound to be spreading, and we can’t afford for people to be scared to come into work.”
I hear frantic pen scratches against paper on the other end of the phone.
