Chapter 38
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
I’m staring out the window in my guest room, worried sick for Nan, Mikail, and my country, when Simona taps lightly on the door. “Marshall will call you on this line when he gets to the hospital.”
I accept the compact satellite phone. “This means so much. Thank you all for everything you’ve done.”
She leans a hip against the big poster bed. “It’s what we do.”
Glancing out the window again, I notice that the light has fallen even more. So much has happened in just a few hours. I’m still reeling.
“Have you called your grandmother at Sierra and Cole’s house?”
“No.” My heart spasms. With fresh tears clogging my throat, I ask, “You think it would be safe?”
“I do.”
Shakily, I take the phone that Simona dialed. “Hey, it’s Kate. Yes, we’re at Simona and Scotch’s house. Can I please speak to Nan!”
“Little one! I’m so happy to hear your voice. Are you and your Wolf okay?”
“We’ve had a bit of a problem, but we’re safe.”
“I spoke with your father. That man’s determined to sell those mineral rights. The island is going to go mad if he does.”
“I’m coming to you as soon as I can.”
“Shhh. Don’t fret. You need to do what we talked about. I think that is the most important thing now. We need to know more, before your father does. I’m counting on you.”
Tears sting at my eyes. “I’ll do my best. Please, please stay safe—”
A loud laugh in the background on her end of the line interrupts me.
“Gotta go. I’m playing with the cutest little baby ever. Practicing being a great grandmother. You go do you. I’ll be fine right here. Now go enjoy your Wolf and kick some ass out there.” Nan laughs brightly.
I glance at Simona, she’s smiling, and I know she can hear what’s being said on the other end.
“He’s big, strong, and dangerous. Hang on tight. Men like that don’t come along every day.”
Rolling my eyes, I say, “We’ll see. Go have fun with the baby. I’ll be in touch soon. Bye for now.”
She’s humming a song I grew up with when she hangs up.
“ Lord. I’m a mess.”
Simona smiles softly. “She sounds like a woman after my own heart.”
“She’s the original badass.”
“Something tells me her granddaughter is too.”
I wish I felt the same. Right now, I feel anything but badass. I feel completely overwrought and uncertain. My heart starts off at a gallop when the phone rings in my hand.
“That will be Marshall now.”
Eagerly, I answer. “Hello.”
“Kate, have any of you heard from Mikail?”
The edge to his voice makes me freeze. “No, why?”
There’s a heavy silence on the other end as a cold sweat begins to form on my palms. “Because he’s gone missing from the hospital.”
“Oh no!”
Simona takes the phone and touches the speaker button. “Marshall, I’m here now, listening too.”
“They sedated Mikail and set his shoulder. He was resting afterward. When the nurses came back to check in, he was gone.”