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"Good morning," I say softly.
She puts a finger to her lips and then points to one of the nannies, who's at the far end of the table. The nanny looks like she's in her early twenties, with chestnut hair twisted into a bun at the nape of her neck. She's currently striking a pose and being perfectly still.
I mouth thank you to the little girl and stride down to talk to the nanny, who is holding all the kids in rapt, silent attention. The nanny looks at me and claps her hands.
"Good job pretending you are statues! Wow, that's great! You were very still. Everybody relax and eat for a few minutes. Then we'll try another round."
I give the nanny an anxious smile. "Hi. I'm Talia. I'm... Dare's wife. And I have volunteered with Hope House for years and years."
The words sound odd coming out of my mouth, but the nanny beams at me.
"I'm Maddie. It's so nice to meet you, Talia. Dare told us all about you. You're doing such a wonderful thing for these kids."
I nod, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Thanks. You are too. They already love you!"
Maddie's smile doesn't dim. "I'm still working on it. They're great kids, though."
"They are." My smile fades. "I see that you only have a portion of the children here. Do you have any idea where the rest of them are?"
She purses her lips. "Julie is with a little boy named Max. They went upstairs to change. Several of the children had to go back to the H-O-S-P-I-T-A-L to have checkups run. And Sophie left with one little girl. She was ordered to take her to some family, I think."
My heart squeezes. "What little girl?"
Maddie looks thoughtful. "You know, I'm not sure. I'm sorry, I had my hands full at the time."
"When did they leave?"
Maddie looks at her watch. "About thirty minutes ago, I think. I didn't see them leave."
I thank her and walk out of the dining room. My pulse pounds, scenarios flashing through my mind. Was Solana taken somewhere? Did someone slip past security?
I have to find her. Ipromisedto keep her safe.
I burst through the glass doors leading to the pool area, the smell of chlorine sharp in my nostrils. My eyes frantically scan the shimmering water and surrounding lounge chairs but find no sign of the children. The space is eerily quiet and still, devoid of the usual splashing and playful shouts. I run to the pool, peering around the cabanas and lounge chairs.
No one is here.
Dread wells up inside me as I jump in the elevator and press the penthouse floor button impatiently, heading for Solana's room.
I arrive at her door panting, heart lodged in my throat. With a trembling hand I turn the handle and step inside the spacious suite.
"Solana?" My voice echoes in the empty room.
The bed is neatly made, not a wrinkle marring the silken duvet. I rush to the armoire and wrench open the doors.
No Solana.
My hands shake as I grab my phone, ready to sound the alarm and call in the calvary.Where is she?
Suddenly, Dare appears in the hallway, confusion clouding his face at my panic. He crosses the room swiftly and grasps my shoulders.
"Talia, slow down. Breathe."
His deep voice is calm, but his eyes are troubled.
I shake my head wildly. "I can't! Solana's missing."
He nods, brows furrowing. "Okay. Easy. You're raising your blood pressure. Panicking helps no one."
