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Chapter 23
Jackson
Speeding down the lane, I hurtled to Daisy’s house, Ben fast behind me with Valentine in his car.
We’d wasted precious minutes.
At the end of the meeting, the guy had kept us talking. He’d been hard-selling his service, and it had taken time to get off the call.
My phone had vibrated with a text, but I’d paused in answering it, assuming it was a pick-up request and trying to be professional in front of my boss.
But seconds had passed, and the guy hadn’t shut up. I’d snuck a look at Ariel’s text.
Then I’d taken off, running.
Ben must’ve got a similar one from Daisy as he’d sworn and been right behind me.
I couldn’t think about that. Couldn’t think about the reaction I was showing and how bad that looked for my career here. All I knew was I needed to get to her.
I pushed my car to the limit, taking the corners fast.
At last, the cottage came into view.
Two vehicles were parked outside. The front door was open, and a figure stood in the frame.
I identified Casey, one of the lasses who lived nearby.
Another woman rounded the corner of the house.
I flung myself from my car to the tune of them yelling.
“The moms are still outside,” Casey shouted.
“And the cavalry’s arrived, too,” the other lass howled, banging something against the wall. I was pretty sure she was named Cait, but my brain was empty of all but action.
I sprinted up the path.
“Where are they?” I demanded.
Casey hopped off the step, clearing the way. “Upstairs. She called us in because there’s an intruder, but she said in her message not to go inside, just to make a fuss. The front door was open, so he’s still here. Hurry!”
I half fell in the door, Ben and Valentine right with me.
“Ariel,” I bellowed, pounding up the wooden stairs.
If I found him, I’d tear him apart. Savage his fucking throat.
The landing was empty. The main bedroom, too. I spun around with my fists clenched, panicked. Furious.
“Here,” Valentine hollered.
He and Ben had gone the other way. I ran back along the hall and into a freshly painted room.
At the back, Ben was pulling Daisy into his arms. I pushed past, seeking Ariel.
She stood from a crouch in the wardrobe, her expression wild.Afraid.
Fuck it.
