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Chapter 22
Ryker
Ryker’s phone vibrated on the nightstand, waking him. He hurried to grab it before the noise woke Jade. The clock glowed 5:30 a.m.
He glanced at the screen. Though he had no numbers programmed in, he recognized Roark’s digits. He answered quickly, “Vittrolli.”
“Lyra’s missing.”
Alarm bells went off in Ryker’s head and he instantly snapped awake.
“Hold on a sec.”
He climbed out of bed and pulled on the hoodie and jeans he’d discarded on the floor the night before. He tugged on his shoes, shoved his room key into his pocket, and crossed the room to the door.
After one last look at Jade’s peaceful face while she slept, Ryker stepped into the hallway and quietly closed the door behind him. He walked down the hall into the vending machine room for privacy.
“What do you mean Lyra’s missing?” Ryker asked. He pressed the phone closer to his ear thinking maybe there was a bad connection or that he misheard.
Roark said, “Lyra was scheduled to fly into New York today, but the flight landed and she wasn’t on it. Henderson from Q&L Securities was with her, and I discussed her itinerary with him last night. They were supposed to fly in on the redeye. I was at the airport to pick them up about an hour ago, as planned. They never showed. I checked with airport security but it turns out that they never boarded the plane. I tried to track Lyra’s phone but it’s off. Henderson’s phone is still in Boston but the signal’s not moving and he’s not answering. We have eyes on Nelson and Rutherford and they haven’t physically done anything unusual but I still have a bad feeling Rosé is behind this.”
“Fuck.”
Lyra and Jade were best friends so it would make sense if Rosé was behind this.
“What’s the plan?” Roark asked.
Ryker sighed and rubbed his face while he processed everything.
He said, “Everyone’s supposed to meet in New York in three days. Let’s stick to the schedule for now but make sure everyone is on high-alert. Assign individual security to all the band members. Keep trying to ping Lyra, see if you can get the local PD to check on Henderson, and let me know if you find her or get any ransom demands. Jade and I will stay put for now. If you find out anything else, call me. Jade and I can hop the first flight back if needed. Also, check any calls or messages to Jade’s phone. It’s off the grid, but her stalker doesn’t know that for sure and may try to reach her.”
“Roger that. Be careful, bro.”
“You, too. Thanks, Roark.”
Ryker ended the call. He shoved the phone in his hoodie pocket then leaned his forehead against the cold metal of the snack machine. He had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Henderson freelanced with VSS sometimes when his firm had downtime. He put everything into protecting his assignments — as the entire team did. If Henderson was non-responsive and Lyra was missing, Ryker feared the worst — Henderson was probably injured or dead, and Lyra was in serious danger.
He dreaded telling Jade about this call. It would be a challenge to keep her from hopping on a plane as soon as she heard the news.
Ryker slammed his hand into the side of the vending machine and growled in frustration. His hands shook with anger.
He couldn’t let Jade see him this worked up, especially since her best friend was the one in danger.
Instead of going back to the room right away, he strode down the hall, shoved through the door into the stairwell, and jogged downstairs to the first floor. He sent a quick text to Jade saying he’d be back soon in case she woke up, then he went into the hotel gym to blow off some steam.
* * *
An hour and a half later, he let himself into their room carrying coffee and a plate loaded with pastries. Sweat soaked his hair and clothes.
Jade looked at him groggily as he set the food on the table.
She looked so beautiful with her ruffled hair, sleepy eyes, and soft smile only for him.
“‘Morning, baby,” he rumbled.
“‘Morning, Ry. Why are you so sweaty? Without me?”
