10. Chapter 10
Chapter 1 0
ARGENT
* PRESENT *
C oming to a sudden stop in front of the apartment, I furrow my brows and notice Chloe’s car still parked there, its sleek black exterior reflecting the afternoon sun. That’s odd. I wonder if she just got here. Maybe she has some news. Stepping out of the car, I make my way toward the door, the jingling of my keys creating a rhythmic melody as I absentmindedly spin them around my finger.
After Adrian and I left the warehouse, I dropped him at home. He hasn’t spent time at home since Starlet disappeared. He’s too invested in helping find her, but I think taking a little break would be good for him.
Just as I open the front door and stroll into the apartment, the sound of a low, passionate moan catches my attention. I halt my movements, my senses now fully alert, focusing on what I’m hearing. The moans grow louder, intertwining with the distant hum of a passing car outside.
Shaking my head, a playful scoff escapes my lips, the sound muffled by the thick carpet beneath my feet. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I softly say, a mix of amusement and disbelief in my voice. I follow the sound of the moaning, my footsteps nearly silent as I make my way down the hallway.
The door to Demitri’s bedroom is slightly ajar, inviting me to take a peek. With a mischievous grin, I slowly push the door open, feeling the coolness of the doorknob against my palm. As I step into the room, a blend of scents hits me—the lingering aroma of perfume mingles with the musky scent of arousal.
There it is, a sight that both surprises and amuses me. Chloe’s back is facing me as she straddles Demitri, riding him like a bred stallion. A sinister smirk tugs at the corners of my lips before I clear my throat, the sound echoing in the room.
Chloe’s head whips around, her hands instinctively covering her exposed chest as she stares at me, wide-eyed and breathless.
“What the hell, Argent?!” Demitri’s voice fills the room, a mix of annoyance and surprise. Trying to contain my laughter, I bring my hand to my mouth, feeling the warmth of my breath against my skin.
“Having fun, aren’t we?” I tease, wiggling my eyebrows playfully.
“Please, don’t tell Adrian,” Chloe pleads, her voice filled with desperation as she slowly rises from the bed, hastily wrapping a blanket around her naked body.
“I won’t, Chlo. But you have to,” I state firmly, crossing my arms over my chest as I lean against the doorframe.
“Yeah, whatever, now, get out so that I can get dressed,” she insists, her voice dripping with annoyance. With a hearty chuckle, I raise my hands in defeat and exit the room. The creaking of the door echoes through the hallway as I make my way to the kitchen, Demitri following closely behind .
“Uh, listen, Chloe came over for a reason besides that,” he nervously states, his words laced with hesitation as he takes a seat at the worn kitchen counter. Eyeing him skeptically, I reach for a tumbler glass, the coolness of the smooth glass against my fingertips. I grab a bottle of Starlet’s favorite bourbon, the sound of the liquid pouring into the glass filling the room.
“And what is it?” I ask, raising the glass to my lips. I take a big gulp, feeling the warmth of the bourbon spread through my chest. But before he can answer me, Chloe walks into the kitchen, her steps barely audible.
“Starlet’s parents are going to have a memorial for her tomorrow night,” she suddenly says, her voice breaking the silence. Time seems to stand still as I freeze, my entire body turning to ice.
“What?” my teeth grind together as I sneer through gritted teeth, “She’s not fucking dead!” I yell, the sound of my voice reverberating off the walls. In a fit of rage, I fling the glass through the air, the shattering of glass against the wall creating a cacophony as shards cascade to the floor, making Chloe flinch.
Rage surges through my veins, a seething fire threatening to consume me. The room hangs in a heavy silence, pierced only by the thunderous pounding of my heartbeat reverberating in my ears. My gaze lands upon Chloe, her expression a weight on my heart. Wide-eyed and motionless, she stares at me.
“I’m sorry,” I hastily mutter, squeezing my eyes shut and running my fingers through my hair, inhaling deeply to steady myself. With measured steps, Chloe approaches me, surprising me as she reaches up and pulls me closer by the neck, wrapping her arms around me tightly. “It’s okay to be angry, Argent,” her voice whispers next to my ear. “We will find her... you will find her,” she reassures me, holding me tightly before releasing me.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I offer her a small smile before bending down to the cabinet at my feet. Retrieving the hand broom, I feel its cool handle against my palm.
“I’ll clean it up, man, don’t worry—” Demitri begins, but I dismiss him with a wave of my hand. “No. It’s my mess. I’ll clean it up.” Walking past him towards the shattered glass scattered across the floor.
Countless people gathered outside The Diner, their murmurs mixing with the gentle hum of flickering candles. The air was heavy with the scent of purple flowers that adorned every inch of the concrete and walls. A vibrant mosaic of colors, a tribute to Starlet’s favorite hue.
From my car, I surveyed the crowd, my eyes darting from face to face. Starlet’s parents I assume—stood by the entrance. Next to them, the enormous frame holding her picture is a beacon of bittersweet beauty, adorned with a sea of purple petals. A surge of anger welled within me.
The audacity of these fucking people. How could they just give up hope and accept that she’s dead? I scrutinized them, my frustration mounting. Unless they presented her lifeless body—I will never stop looking for her. I don't want to be here, there is no point in having this in the first place. She's still alive, and if they're not going to do something to find her, I will.
Just as I’m about to leave, the soft hum of Chloe’s car catches my attention. She and Adrian emerge from the car and walk over to Starlet’s parents. It’s only natural for them to be here, and show their respects.
As Chloe turns her head, our eyes lock in an instant connection. A gentle smile tugs at the corners of her lips, and without hesitation, I swing open the car door and step out.
Inhaling a deep breath, I slowly make my way through the crowd of people and I can feel the weight of their gazes upon me. It’s times like these that I despise my towering height. Finally, I come to a halt by Adrian’s side, noting the surprise etched upon his face.
“Hey, you made it,” he whispers, his hand finding its place on my shoulder, and giving me a sincere smile.
It’s not like I want to be here. They are showing respect for something that is just not true. Her death. She is not dead. She is still out there, her absence lingering like a haunting presence. Determination fuels my every thought. I am going to find her... alive .
I know Zavier is responsible for her disappearance, but the fucker keeps slipping through our fingers, leaving us with nothing but frustration. Every lead we chase turns out to be a dead end. These people can mourn all they want, but my little star is still out there, waiting to be found.
“And you are?” A high-pitched voice pierces through the fog of my thoughts. Startled, I lower my head and lock eyes with a short, blonde-haired girl. Her icy blue eyes bore into mine, searching for answers. I remain silent, unable to find the words to respond, and avert my gaze to the portrait of Starlet adorned with purple flowers.
My throat tightens as I admire her beautiful features. The soft, copper-brown waves of her hair, the depth of her mesmerizing hazel eyes. Swallowing hard, I meet Chloe’s knowing gaze. She sees the pain behind my facade, and I wish she didn’t.
Clearing her throat, Chloe steps forward and answers the blonde girl’s question, “He’s a family friend.” The girl’s smile widens, her excitement palpable. She turns her attention back to me, her eyes sparkling with anticipation .
“Oh, well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Isabelle—Starlet’s sister.” She states, and I don’t miss the way she bats her lashes, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth.
So, this is the spoiled brat?
“That makes one of us.” I coldly say, and Isabelle’s smile falters, her face flushing with embarrassment before she turns and walks away.
“Barbie from hell,” Chloe’s comment breaks the tension, and I can’t help but let a small grin tug at the corners of my lips. Before either of us can utter another word, an older gentleman approaches us. His dark brown hair is slicked back, with a few silver streaks in between. Starlet’s father.
“Thank you all for being here. Starlet would’ve loved it,” he says, making eye contact with each of us.
Clenching my jaw, I try to contain the words that threaten to leave my lips, but before I can think, it all starts pouring out. “Would she now?” I sneer through gritted teeth.
His head snaps to me as he stares at me with shock. “I doubt she would appreciate the fact that you have given up on her and just accepted that she’s dead.” I can feel Chloe’s gaze burning into me, but I keep my eyes locked on him.
“And, um, who are you?” He asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Someone who doesn’t have their head up their ass,” I sneer, the bitterness in my voice evident. Chloe elbows me on the arm, urging me to be quiet.
He scoffs before taking a step closer to me. The sound of his footsteps echoes in my ears. “You have no idea how torn I am as a father, but after a year, it is time to accept the reality so that we all can start the healing process.”
I would believe him, but the look he gives me and the tone he uses has chills running down my spine. Nothing about this man says ‘grieving father’. After a few moments of silence, Chloe gets called over by Starlet’s mother to assist her with something. The sound of their hushed conversation fades into the background. Chloe gives me a stern look before leaving and dragging Adrian with her. Leaving me alone with Starlet’s father .
Taking a step forward, now close enough to him that I can practically hear his heartbeat. The tension between us is suffocating.
I whisper, my voice barely audible, “Everyone might believe that bullshit story, but not me… sir .” The anger inside me threatened to consume me.
Eyeing me, he gazes around us before he leans closer, “Don’t go searching for something that you’ll regret finding.” My entire body stills as he gives me a sinister grin before turning and leaving.
Her father’s haunting words echoed relentlessly in my mind, each repetition intensifying the unease that wriggled beneath my skin. That infuriatingly smug grin etched across his face sent shivers down my spine. He had to be hiding something.
So I did what I do best—after that bullshit memorial, I followed them home. Parked in my car, I waited patiently for the lights to go out. I didn’t have to wait long. As most of the house faded into darkness, I emerged from the car, stealthily navigating my way over the side fence. The soft glow of the kitchen spilled a feeble light onto the side of the house. Peeking through the window, I caught sight of him and his wife having a conversation. I strain my ears, a sinister smile curling at the corners of my lips as his words reach me. He tells her that he is going to his study to catch up on some work.
There we go.
With unwavering focus, I observed his ascent up the stairs. Swiftly, I ventured to the back of the yard. Gazing upward, my eyes darted anxiously between the windows, awaiting the opportune moment. The thumping of my heart crescendoed in my ears as a faint glow illuminated one of the windows.
Scanning the yard, my gaze settled on the veins that adorned the wall. With a sigh, I roll up my sleeves before tugging on the veins to test their strength.
Let’s hope all those superhero movies I watched as a kid pay off.
Blowing out a breath, I started climbing up the vein, wincing as sharp branches occasionally graze my skin. At last, I reach the designated window and steal a quick glimpse inside, only to find it empty. Seizing the chance, I gingerly slid the window open, my movements as silent as possible, before deftly climbing through.
I gently close the window, the latch making a soft click, and then pivot to survey the room. My eyes take in the sight before me, while the scent of aged paper permeates the air. The dark wooden bookshelves, adorned with countless books, line the walls. On my right, a sturdy wooden desk captures my attention, the open laptop beckoning me closer.
Carefully, I lower myself into the plush, black leather chair, its soft creaking sound breaking the silence of the room. As I begin to click away and open file after file, my frustration intensifies with every unsuccessful attempt. Determined, I decided to delve into his emails. My attention is initially drawn to nothing in particular until I come across the ‘trash’ folder and spot an email from Zavier.
“What the fuck?” I mutter under my breath. In a mix of anticipation and apprehension, I click on the message, feeling my heart pound in my chest .
Zavier. O
I received the payment.
It's a pleasure doing business with you Mr. Macklamor.
As I reread the messages, a fiery surge of anger courses through my veins. These messages were sent almost a year ago, around the same time Starlet disappeared.
What the hell did he do?
Leaning back into the worn leather chair, I tap my fingers on the polished dark wood, feeling its smooth texture beneath my touch. I struggle to wrap my head around the shocking revelation that he paid Zavier for something.
Suddenly, the door creaks open, and a rush of cool air fills the room. The distinct sound of footsteps echoes in the silence as her father walks in. Stopping abruptly in his tracks, his eyes widen in a mixture of shock and disbelief as he locks his gaze on me. He swiftly closes the door behind him and turns back to me. “How the hell did you get in here?”
Ignoring his question, I slowly rise from the chair, a surge of anger coursing through me.
“What have you done?” My voice, low and filled with restrained fury, seeps into the air. The room feels heavy with tension as I struggle to contain myself, resisting the urge to lunge at him and squeeze the life out of him with my bare hands.
“What are you talking about?” He asks with a slight tremble as he slides his hands into his pockets.
My hand trembles slightly as I reach behind me, feeling the cold, solid grip of the knife nestled in the back of my waistband. His widened eyes dart back and forth between mine and the glinting blade in my hand.
“Don’t make me ask twice… sir.” A small, sinister smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I taunt him, taking slow, deliberate steps towards him. My fingers twirl the knife, the metallic click filling the room, as my unwavering gaze fixates on him, piercing through his facade of innocence.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he defends, his voice trembling. In an instant, I come to a sudden halt in front of him, my burning gaze piercing into his soul as I press the cold blade against his throat.
“Don’t fucking tempt me, old man.” I spit, ready to slaughter him like a pig right here for his wife to find. “What did you pay Zavier to do? And don’t fucking lie to me.” My heart thumps loudly in my ears, drowning out the surrounding silence. Impatience consumes me as I dig the sharp tip of the blade into his neck, crimson droplets of blood slowly trickling down, staining his shirt.
“Okay, okay!” he yells, his voice desperate, before shutting his eyes tightly and taking a deep breath. “He got rid of her.”
The words that escaped his trembling lips hit me with the force of a thousand bricks.
He got rid of her.
The air is sucked out of my lungs, leaving me breathless. Clenching my jaw, I close my eyes and lower my head, trying to regain my composure. When I open my eyes again, they lock onto his terrified gaze. “Where is he?” I demand, my voice low and menacing.
He stammers, his words barely coherent, “There’s an old cabin... an isolated location... thirty minutes west out of the city.” I take a deep breath, leaning closer until our faces are mere inches apart. “I’ll be back for you.”