Chapter 46
HUNTER
Christmas carols come on the radio as I drive my Audi down Park Ave, heading back to the penthouse. I can’t wait to get home and ease Savannah’s worries that have been lingering like a dark cloud since Nate showed up unexpectedly.
My ringtone goes off, echoing in the speakers as my phone links to my car. Savannah’s name flashes on the screen, and I accept the call.
“How’s packing up the studio going?” I ask as the call connects.
A shout reverberates from the other end of the call. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
My brows pinch. “Um. Nothing?”
Another voice comes through the speaker. “I’m here to get Hunter back. He’s mine. Always has been.”
My body tenses as I realize who is with Savannah.
Fuck no.
I snatch my phone and open the location-sharing app I made Savannah download. A quick search shows me that, luckily, they’re at home. Pressing the gas pedal to the floor, I open another line on my phone and tap on the first contact in my recent calls.
“What’s up, Boss?”
“Calder. There’s an emergency at my penthouse. How close are you?”
“I can be there in two minutes.”
“Perfect. Meet me in the parking garage.”
Calder and I arrive at my building at the same time. I don’t even bother to park my car. I pull right up to the elevator, and Calder does the same. When we get into the penthouse, I sprint ahead of Calder and in the direction of the contending voices.
Why the hell are they in my bedroom?
As I enter the room, I find Savannah with panic written all over her face and her shoulders hunched. Next to her is Giselle…In a goddamn towel.
My body shakes with rage, and my voice comes out in a roar. “What the fuck are you doing here, Giselle?” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, Savannah bolts for the door. Reaching for her, I call out, “Savannah, wait!”
“Let her go,” Giselle directs.
“Shut up,” I bark.
I dash after Savannah, and as I pass Calder, I instruct him to keep an eye on Giselle. I’ve almost caught up with Savannah when she gets inside the elevator.
“Savannah! Stop!”
She doesn’t. The elevator doors close as I reach them, and I pound my fist against the metal.
Adrenaline and rage flow rampantly through my body as I stomp back up the stairs. When I return to my room, Giselle is dressed, and Calder looks annoyed.
I zero in on the pain-in-my-neck woman. “How the hell did you get in my home?”
Giselle shrugs unapologetically, refusing to answer.
Raising my hands with my palms toward Giselle, I berate, “You know what? Whatever. I’ll check the cameras later. Right now, I need you gone.” I turn my head and address my employee. “Calder.”
Giselle interrupts me, rushing forward and clinging to my shirt. “Hunter, please. I know you miss me just as much as I miss you. We were so good together.”
“No, we weren’t.” I grip Giselle’s wrists and push her away, forcing her to let go. “You’re a leech, and I’m done letting you take from me.” Marching out of my room, I bark instructions over my shoulder. “Calder, I need you to escort my ex-wife from the premises. I’m going after Savannah.”
I don’t wait to make sure Giselle gathers her things before Calder escorts her out. I have one objective.
Get Savannah back.
Giselle’s specialty is weaponizing her words. She’s an expert at homing in on her target, assessing them, and hitting them where it hurts. She knows how to find the weak spot and exploiting it.
When I get to the parking garage, I find all the cars still there. The sharp crack of a gunshot thunders from outside.
“Shit!” I shout as I run in the direction of the sound.
As I get closer to what I assume is the right spot, I hear the piercing shriek of tires on the pavement. A car zooms away out of sight. I’m too far to make out a plate number. I can’t even tell what color the car is.
When I near the street corner, I spot a motionless body on the sidewalk.
“No, no, no. Please, don’t be…” I trail off as I reach the figure, and it’s the last person I expect to see.
Slicer.
What the hell is he doing here?
When I crouch down next to him, I notice yellow daisy petals spread out all around him, and my breath catches in my throat.
I’m sure the police have already been called, so I work as fast as I can to take note of everything I can remember, using the flashlight on my phone. When the cops get here, they’ll rope off the area with crime scene tape, and I won’t be able to get near the body again.
In my examination, I notice that his mouth is slightly open. When I lean in closer, it looks like there’s something in there. Gently pushing down on his chin to open his mouth wider, I discover a balled-up piece of paper and retrieve it.
The Lord did not appoint you to cherish her garden.
You took what was not yours.
I have taken her where you cannot follow.
From,
Her Shepherd
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Turning off the flashlight, I dial Luke.
He answers after one ring. “What’s up?”
My voice is tight. “Are you still at RHL?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Get home now.” I look back at the note in my hand, and my heart stumbles over itself. “He took her.”