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I clench my fist, reopening the cuts on my split knuckles. I should have tied her to my bed and never let her go when I had the chance. How the fuck am I supposed to leave to drive up to my granddad's estate tomorrow with Chains, knowing she was planning on running with Jordin? I could take her with me. No. I don’t want her up there anywhere near my grandfather’s men. It’s too risky. She needs to stay here and out of sight. I took care of the trip earlier, so that’s one less thing to worry about. I’ll need to make sure there are eyes on her at all times. I’ll arrange a meeting with the house and security staff first thing.
My thoughts turn to Caleb.
After dinner, we received information about the witness and their whereabouts. Caleb was still pissed at me for the remark I made about my wedding night and insisted he do this on his own, without me. I can’t say I blame him. He got me back after everyone left with a right hook to the gut, so I’d say we’re even. I had business with Mr. Jones to take care of anyway. He won’t be going on any trips for a long time. Unless it’s to the hospital. Lexy has no one but herself to blame.
Not a lot of people can get under my skin. Still, when Lexy was flirting with Logan and talking about running with Jones, I couldn’t hold back the jealousy bubbling inside, even if I was knuckle-deep in her cunt at the time. Logan, I can’t do anything about for now, but Jones, he had that coming for a while.
Turning once more, I thump the pillow.
Fuck this. I’m too pent-up to sleep. I need a drink.
Pushing myself out of bed, I stumble down the stairs to my dad’s office, my body yearning for the familiar burn of whiskey. The crystal decanter sparkles in the dim light, igniting a hope that it will calm my thoughts.
I pour a finger into the glass, downing it in one gulp, the fiery liquid offering a temporary escape. Another follows, the heat spreading through me, but it does little to numb the turmoil within.
Sinking into the cool leather chair, I open the camera app on my phone, expecting to find Lexy in bed, lost in the embrace of her restless dreams.
I’ve watched her every night since her nightmares first began. Every night, she’d wake up screaming. Sometimes, she called out for me. It tore my heart in two, and no matter how many times I begged her to let me in, she pushed me away. That’s when I had the camera installed. I knew she was breaking. I couldn’t let her break alone. I’d be there with her, one way or another.
What the…?
My finger taps frantically on the screen as I replay the feed of her getting dressed into a pair of yoga pants and a sweater and leaving her room about an hour ago.
Anxiety and anger collide within me, a potent cocktail that courses through my veins.
If she’s running, I’ll fucking chase her to the ends of the earth. Scorch every city with my rage until I find her.
Frustration mounts as I race through the house, the open patio doors catching my attention. A chilly night breeze drifts through, carrying the scent of salt and the distant murmur of crashing waves.
Stepping into the garden, the security lights illuminate an open gate leading to the beach.
Damn it, Lexy. Doesn’t she understand the dangers we face?
Barefoot, I rush down the steps, the cold sand biting at my feet as I scan the shoreline.
Panic tightens my chest with each passing minute.
What if someone has taken her? Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Several minutes pass with no sign of her. My mind races with all sorts of possibilities, all with the same outcome. She’s gone.
I’m about to return to the house to raise the alarm when a flash of blonde hair catches my eye by some rocks.
“Lexy!” I yell, but she remains motionless, her figure curled up on the sand.
My heart hammers in my chest as fear takes hold.
Why the fuck isn’t she answering me? Is she injured? Did she collapse?
Closing the distance, I realize it’s none of the above.
Curled in the fetal position, an empty bottle of vodka lies next to her side. She’s drunk.
My frustration turns to worry as I sink to my knees beside her.
The memories of nights spent watching over her flood my mind — the nightmares that haunted her, the vulnerability she tried so hard to hide.
I brush her hair away from her face, the moonlight casting a soft glow on her features.
