AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Derek stared at him for a beat then he nodded. His family loved him and wanted what was best for him. Ellery was best for him. He loved her. He’d worked to gain her love for months and he wasn’t giving up on her now.
He embraced his dad and then strode to the door.
Malik stepped in his way. “Are you going to find Ellery?”
“Yes.”
Malik studied him. They’d had their share of brawls over the years, and it was usually a fair fight. What if Malik tried to stop him from going after her? What if Malik and the rest of his brothers, Kiera, Hattie, Aliya, and Macey couldn’t forgive and love Ellery? It was a lot to ask and they didn’t know and love her as he did. The last thing his family needed was more pain, but he had to stand up for the woman he loved.
“She isn’t to blame,” he said, holding his brother’s gaze steadily. “How many people have believed Naomi Rindlesbacher’s lies? Mum and Aunt Leslie used to be her best friends before she showed her true colors. That narcissist would do anything to make herself, her husband, and her loser son get ahead.”
Malik said nothing for a beat, and Derek chafed with impatience. His dad was right. He needed to show Ellery that he’d never walk away from her, that she mattered to him and they’d fight through anything together. Even if they had to fight through his own family’s resentment at her misplaced trust in Naomi and almost getting Hattie arrested and blowing up everything in Jensen and Ray’s faces.
“You’re right.” Malik clapped him on the shoulder.
Derek relaxed. He needed his brother’s support but he also needed his opinion. He tilted his head to Ray and Macey, quietly talking in the corner. “Will they ever forgive Elle? Will Steffan and Hattie?”
“I think so.” He shrugged. “It might take some time, but it’ll buff out.”
“Thanks, bro.” Derek gave Malik a quick hug and suddenly he felt more like himself and wanted to see how his brother was feeling about something. “I heard Sophie Pederson is the chef for tonight’s reception. Any chance you can forgive her after all these years?”
Malik’s face tightened, and he stepped back. “Buried and done, bro. Now stop worrying about my love life and go fix yours.”
“Done.” Derek saluted him and hurried from the ballroom.
He jogged down the hall and up the stairs then down the family hall. He reached Ellery’s suite and said a prayer for strength and forgiveness, for both of them and all of his family. He rapped on the door and waited. He knocked again. Nothing.
Twisting the knob, he called out, “Elle?”
The suite was silent. He searched quickly, but Ellery was definitely gone. All the dresses were in her closet. All the fancy shoes lined the closet floor. The only thing missing was her workout clothes.
He strode out of the room and down the hall and the stairs. A guard walked into the foyer as he reached it. The man looked at him and nodded respectfully. “I took Miss Monson to the driver who will escort her to the airport, Prince Derek.”
“Excuse me? Who told you to do that?”
“I received a message from the lower gate that her driver was waiting to take her to the airport, sir.”
“What?” Derek spun and ran back to the ballroom. He burst in and everybody turned to look at him. “You sent Elle away?” he demanded of Ray.
“No.” Ray shook his head, his arm firmly around Macey.
“Who else would’ve sent her away but you? Some guard said he received a message from the lower gate that her driver was waiting to take Elle to the airport.”
“It wasn’t me,” Ray insisted, though he didn’t look sad she was gone.
“Who called for a driver for Ellery?” Derek cut his gaze around the room. His dad and Malik were on his side. T? Curt? Jensen? Chad?
The tension in the room was high. Yes, Ellery had made a mistake trusting Naomi and everything was a mess, but nobody had a right to just send her away. Had she gone willingly, or had she assumed Derek didn’t want her around? That he’d turned his back on her like her father had? His stomach turned over at the thought.
Each of the men shook their heads in turn.
Derek raked his hand through his hair. Who would’ve sent a driver for her?
“Call her and make sure she’s safe,” his dad said. “I don’t like this.”
Derek’s eyes widened. He tried Elle’s number. The room quieted as everyone waited. “She’s not answering.” His voice was full of panic. He looked to Ray. His brother would know what to do, how to find Ellery. Ray’s gaze held his for only half a beat and then he nodded.
“Chad,” Ray turned to his major first. “Find that guard and see who he sent her with. Set up roadblocks on the canyon exits to the north and the south.”
