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She waved her free hand and half closed her eyes. “As you can see, I’m exhausted.”
He chuckled. His mum. She could address parliament right now, run a half marathon, and organize a charity banquet.
“All I’m going to do is sleep. If that beautiful lady knows even a fraction of how amazing you are, she’ll be waiting and watching for you.” She winked. “Now get out of here. Bring Hope and Faith to see me soon.”
“I can assure you I will.”
He kissed her soft cheek, and then he took his mum’s advice and hurried from her room. Shaylee tried to intercept him, but he rushed ahead of her, waving a hand in farewell. He checked in with Steffan at his office as he raced for the helipad. His friend promised he’d keep a close eye on his mum and put Shaylee on probation. If she’d acted that unprofessional around Chad and with Steffan, who knew what she was doing or saying at other times?
Chad stopped in his tracks, almost to the exterior doors. He’d been so scrambled he realized he needed to calm down. He went back to the waiting room outside his mum’s room, knowing he’d have to deal with Shaylee if she saw him here, and called Jensen. Even though everybody was scrambling to find Roger, Ramone, and Naomi, Jensen promised to promptly send two men to watch his mum’s hospital room. Who knew what Roger might do when he learned she’d survived? Chad waited until the men arrived and then took his leave.
It was two a.m. when Chad flew over the twinkling lights of Traverse, over the dark mountains, and he breathed a sigh of relief when the castle of Augustine finally appeared. He set the helicopter down on the helipad, talked to two guards briefly, then hurried into the castle. Maybe he should’ve called Hope to tell her he was coming, but he simply needed to see her. She was likely resting soundly.
He reached the fourth floor guest suites and rushed to her door. Tapping softly, he waited for a response. Nothing. He paced for a minute, debating whether he should try to get some sleep in his suite and come back when she’d be awake.
All he wanted to do was hold her.
He tapped on the door again and then tried the handle. It turned in his hand. He’d have to talk to her later about the importance of locking doors. Especially when they were in a state of stress, like now.
Pushing the door softly open, he listened for their breathing. He might terrify them if he woke them up. He almost eased back out the door but stopped. Surely he could edge in and listen, make sure all was well. Then he’d go lay down, set an alarm, and come back in the morning.
He listened and listened. He didn’t hear a thing.
Creeping farther into the room, he let his eyes adjust to the darkness and peered at the large bed. They had to be here. Where could they have gone? He turned on the lowest light on his phone and panned over the bed. It was empty.
Concern hit him. Where could they be? No way could Roger or Ramone have gotten into the castle and taken them. Right?
He flipped on the light, looking around to make certain. Storming into the closet, he saw the dresses and shoes and wrap things were still there, but their suitcases were gone. They wouldn’t have taken their suitcases if somebody had abducted them. Why would they have left? His friends would’ve made them feel comfortable and encouraged them to stay here where it was safe.
He pushed General Ray’s number on his cell phone.
“Yeah?” Ray’s gruff voice came after two rings.
“Where are Hope and Faith?”
“I thought you knew.” Ray didn’t even sound tired. He was probably personally out tracking down Roger and Ramone.
“Knew what?” Chad asked. Ray was his commanding officer but also his best friend’s twin brother, so he was comfortable with him.
“They left late last night. Captain Levi called and asked permission to drive them to their home in Wengen. He said they had good security there, and I don’t think the Pitchers would go after them.”
Chad sank onto the side of the bed. They’d left. Hope had willingly left. Without calling him. Why? “Thank you, sir,” he managed.
“Of course. Can you get a few hours of sleep, then start patrolling in your helicopter at first light? I want these guys shut down before they try to hurt anybody else.”
“Yes, sir. But is it all right if I fly toward Switzerland first and check on Hope and Faith?” If it wasn’t, Chad might go rogue for the first time in his life. He wanted Roger and Ramone caught more than anyone, but checking on Hope and Faith was his priority.
“That sounds like an important area to check first,” Ray said in his usual gruff tone but Chad appreciated the concession.
“Thank you, General.”
Chad hung up. He dialed Hope’s number, but she didn’t answer. It was two-thirty in the morning. He texted her, asking why she’d left and telling her he’d come as soon as he could.
Then he trudged to his own suite.
Hope had left him.
He didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but it hurt. She’d said she’d be here. He needed her right now, and she’d left him.
