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Creed would.
The mere idea of any harm coming to him guts me, a vice squeezing my heart.
“At what point did you learn Callie hadn’t just cut off communication, but was missing?” Adam leans back in his chair, analytical gaze sweeping over Jameson. It’s obvious he’s not only curious about his answer but also in how he responds. His demeanor. His reaction. His body language.
“I saw Hayes’ press conference earlier this summer when he claimed Callie had disappeared and the police refused to open a missing person’s case because there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prove she was missing.”
“Why does he believe you had something to do with it? And that you actually killed her? Even though there’s no evidence she’s actually dead.”
Jameson scrubs his hand over his face. “You’ll have to ask him. I’m not lying when I said I lost touch with her after she ended things. I’d tried to reach out to her. But after so many unanswered calls and texts, I needed to move on. For my own sanity. I couldn’t spend the rest of my life chasing someone who didn’t want to be chased. Or found.”
It’s silent as we all process Jameson’s version of events. On one hand, I view it as an unfortunate set of circumstances. That the fact Callie left around the time Silas Archer paid him a visit is merely a coincidence. I can’t fault her for wanting to get away. Have a fresh start, especially if she knew she could never truly be with Jameson like she hoped. That if he chose her, he’d be forced to give up everything he’d worked hard for his entire life, so she made the decision for him.
Something I’ve debated doing myself with increasing frequency these past few weeks.
But I also can’t ignore the peculiar timing behind everything. Based on what Jameson mentioned about his father always craving acceptance by the upper crust, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn he bribed her to leave town.
If that were the case, though, wouldn’t she have told Hayes where she was going? Or, at the very least, come out of hiding when she learned a continent-wide manhunt had been launched in the hopes of finding her?
But she didn’t.
Could she truly be missing?
Or worse?
And why?
As my gaze meets Adam’s, I sense he’s asking these same questions.
Worse, I sense none of us are going to like the answers.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Creed
I’ve never been so on edge in my life, even when about to leave on some dangerous mission where I may or may not make it out alive. But after learning of Hayes Barlow’s foiled attack on Jameson and Esme at the charity gala, I’d spent all night sick with worry.
And jealousy.
I should have been able to go to her apartment. Call to check on her. I couldn’t do any of those things. My only source of comfort came from knowing my brother takes his job seriously. That he’d put his life on the line to keep her safe without a moment’s hesitation.
Just as I would.
It still didn’t diminish my need to be with her. That’s what people who care about each other do. They offer each other comfort in a time of crisis.
And I’m not allowed to do that.
Which is why I practically run from my car and into the restaurant where we’re hosting Rory’s baby shower in a few hours, not caring if any of Esme’s protection team stationed around the perimeter observe me wrapping her in my arms.
She stiffens at first, uneasy about such an overt display of affection.
“I was so damn worried about you,” I say to explain my rash behavior. “It was fucking torture.” I pull back so I can peer into her green eyes. “I thought of calling, but after yesterday, I didn’t think it advisable. Same with reaching out to Adam. Your brother insisted you were fine—”
“And I am,” she assures me. But instead of stepping out of my touch, she cups my cheek, thumb brushing my skin. I cover her hand with mine, soaking in the comfort I’ve needed since yesterday. “It was all just a misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding?” I choke out. “The man you’re supposed to marry is accused of killing a woman and you expect me to believe it’s just some misunderstanding?”
“You know damn well your brother wouldn’t allow me remotely close to Jameson if he suspected anything off about him, to hell with what the royal household wants. He takes his vow to protect the royal family quite seriously, and that includes protecting us from the royal household, if necessary.”
