Chapter 59
Kayleeand I sat inside Arrow’s Maserati, heading to the Mount Centauri Museum for their reopening. The event called for casual attire. The late January weather was oddly warm, so we all wore jeans, knit shirts, and lightweight coats.
I stared out the window, looking at the sun, trying its best to peek through the thick clouds. It was like hope trying to break free from all the dark clouds blocking it. But I sensed its strength—its resilience. No matter how many obstacles lay before me, I’d forge ahead. Surrendering wasn’t an option.
So many things floated in my mind. Aimee, Kaylee, my dad’s health, Ghost, my relationship with Arrow, and the approaching Lunar New Year of the Wood Dragon, orT?t, the Vietnamese version of the Chinese New Year. The past few years, we celebrated in California with my dad, but this year Kaylee and I would do something small in Rhode Island with Arrow. I loved that he was so open to various cultures. Perhaps the Navy had allowed him to see and experience the world differently than most.
I glanced over at Arrow. My heart twirled at how stunning he was. Was he truly mine? Did he love me? Neither of us had said those sacred words yet.
Today, the hard angles of his face were more pronounced than usual. Something was on his mind. He’d been busy the past few days, and so was I. We hardly talked. We didn’t get to have our “discussion.” Our focus had been securing an error-proof plan to ensure we would successfully locate and rescue Aimee.
What was she doing now? Could she sense us coming for her?
I leaned back in the seat and released a quiet sigh. I didn’t want him to know I was stressed. Nerves spiraled in my stomach like it was trying to tell me something. After that event at Midnight Chaoss, I wondered if Ghost had been injured from the blast. When would he come for me? I had something special waiting for him.
What if Aimee wasn’t at the museum today? What if all the clues we’d uncovered were just part of my twisted hope, making me see something that wasn’t there?
Stop the negative thinking.
It was hard not to see both sides when a child’s life was at stake.
“I’m nervous,” Kaylee said from the back seat.
Shifting, I reached for her hand. “Me too. But Aimee needs us. Let’s stay positive and alert, okay?”
She nodded.
“Try to blend in with the crowd as best you can,” Arrow said. “We don’t want to seem suspicious with the museum security.”
“Are you friends with the owner?” I asked.
“Attikus Mount is a new investor in our WaterFyre Rising video game. I wouldn’t call him a friend. Grayson designed the addition to his museum. So they’re closer. He’s more of an acquaintance to me.” Arrow turned to smile at me. “But I could be friends with him if he doesn’t cause trouble for us today.”
Always so protective.
“Thanks for doing this,” I said. “I know it’s been stressful.”
“It’s an enormous task, and I don’t want you to handle it yourself. Besides, my friends and I don’t like people who hurt children. So we want to get this guy and whoever he’s working with.”
“I get to meet all your friends today?” Kaylee popped her head between the two car seats.
“Yes,” Arrow said.
“I like talking to your friends.” Kaylee looked at me. “They’re so cool.”
“They think you’re cool too.” I smiled.
She beamed and sat back in her seat.
“I don’t think I’ve attended anything with everyone together,” I said. “Usually someone’s away for work or something.”
“The more eyes looking for Aimee, the better our chances. There’s something else I want to check on at the museum.”
I reached for his hand. “What is it?”
“I’ll explain later. Let’s keep our attention on Aimee.”
I touched his cheek. “You came to bed late last night. Feeling okay?”
“Just trying to finalize a few things. A kiss would make me feel better though.”
“Ew.” A gagging sound burst from the back seat. “Gross.”
Arrow laughed. “You won’t think it’s gross when you like a boy.”
“They’re so annoying.”
I glanced back. “I have something special to share with you in a few days.”
Her eyes widened. “We’re going to Disney?”
“Not telling. You’ll have to wait. Practice some patience.”
“I’m thirteen. I don’t have any. Teenage angst, remember?”
“That’s why you need to practice.”
She grunted. “That’s torture!”
Arrow pulled into the crowded parking lot. “Let’s go get Aimee.”
“Wow.” Kaylee stared at the Mount Centauri Museum. “I like how the three pyramids connect to each other, from smallest to biggest. Cool design.”
“Tell that to Grayson,” I said.
I’d debated having Kaylee address my friends as Auntie and Uncle to be respectful. But we considered ourselves sisters, so addressing them that way would sound weird.
We met our friends in the grand entrance hall, which was spacious and inviting. It had a high dome ceiling with intricate designs. Paintings and sculptures were displayed in various areas. Some were roped off for protection. The security team walked around the area, ensuring everyone obeyed the Do Not Touch signs.
I saw two wide staircases that led to the upper levels. A wheelchair-accessible ramp was also available beside the two sets of elevators.
Staff members were in abundance, answering questions and guiding people to where they needed to go.
The museum had a special showing of Picasso, Gustav Klimt, and an artist named Nelumbo. I hadn’t heard of her, but her floral abstraction was gorgeous. Ethereal and peaceful—something I desperately needed. I’d swing by her paintings later to check them out. Today’s mission was to search for Aimee. No other distractions were allowed.
“Hey!” Audri spotted us and rushed over with the rest of the crew.
We exchanged hugs, and they embraced Kaylee. It was their first time meeting her in person.
“You’re so pretty,” Audri told her.
Kaylee blushed, looking bewildered at all the attention from all the beautiful women.
“I just got a new jacket from my designer friend in Paris. It’s too small for me,” Natalie said as she untangled a strand of blonde hair from her earring. “I think it’ll fit you. It’s cool and edgy. Want it?”
Beaming, Kaylee looked at me for permission.
“Sure, why not?” I patted her back.
“Great,” Natalie said. “Stop by my office anytime.”
“Nice to finally meet you.” Grayson smiled at her, revealing a dimple. He had short dark hair, and I could see the sibling resemblance to Audri. “Arrow tells us you’re a genius.”
All the boys gave her fist bumps. She blushed even more and looked up at Arrow, who stood beside her.
He slung an arm around her and smiled. “It’s the truth.”
“The dating app is outstanding,” Remi said.
Questions erupted, and I told them she wasn’t in a relationship. She was just learning about app development and created something fun.
“She’s focusing on school first. Boys will come later, right?” I looked at her.
“Boys are annoying.” Kaylee rolled her eyes. The exact reaction I needed to see.
“You’ll need someone smart like you. Otherwise, it’ll be boring,” Kiera said.
“Who wants boring?” Michelle asked as she fixed the side clip on her long, curly brown hair.
More people entered the museum hall, and we moved to the side, returning to the mission at hand.
Arrow gave everyone a map of the museum’s layout. Arrow had shared his strategy with me last night. My job was to look for Aimee with the girls on the first floor. He and the boys would monitor the second and third floors.
“Everyone has a picture of Aimee and Orion Reimann. See anything? Alert the group chat. Be discreet.” Arrow jerked a chin at two armed security guards wandering around. “We don’t want security booting us out.”
Everyone nodded as one.
At first, I wouldn’t let Kaylee join us today. This wasn’t something I wanted to involve a thirteen-year-old girl in. But she was the one who noticed the clue that Aimee had left for us about “Kuraimee.” No one else would have known what that meant.
What if Aimee left another clue today? Kaylee would be the only one who could decode it. Plus, Kaylee was with the girls and me so we could monitor her.
We had discussed notifying the authorities. But Arrow didn’t trust them. The man who had Aimee was another wealthy and influential man. What if he had connections to the government officials? We had to play it safe.
Arrow kissed the side of my head. “You good?”
Nodding, I smiled. “All good.”
“How about you?” He looked at Kaylee.
She offered two thumbs up.
Satisfied, he gestured for the boys to follow him. “Let’s go find her.”
My stomach tightened at the thought that there could be a team of kidnappers here. What if that man was working with others? I couldn’t imagine a kidnapper taking his captive to an art show. If I were a kidnapper, I’d ensure she was hidden.
Something didn’t make sense, but I couldn’t let that thought distract me.
I reviewed the map again with Audri, Michelle, Kiera, Natalie, and Kaylee.
I looked at my girls. “Someone needs to stay here in the entrance hall with Kaylee to keep an eye out for Aimee and that man.”
“I’ll stay with her.” Michelle volunteered, draping an arm around Kaylee. “No one will escape our eagle eyes.”
Arrow had little info on Orion Reimann and neither did his PI. Who was this man? What did he want with Aimee?
“I’ll take the West Chamber.” Audri gestured toward the hallway. “Natalie has the East.”
“I’ll cover the North, and Vivian has the South.” Kiera tucked the map into her purse. Her opal engagement ring gleamed in the museum lighting.
Shrill laughter echoed in the lobby, and I looked up and spotted Sylvia with two other women. They wore leather pants with high-heeled, knee-length boots and expensive-looking coats.
“I need to touch up my makeup,” Sylvia told her friends. As she headed toward the bathroom, she spotted me and rolled her eyes. Then she glared at Kaylee and muttered, “Bitch,” before disappearing into the bathroom.
Kaylee and my friends gasped.
Fury ignited in me. I would have let things slide between us, but no, she had to insult my sister. She wanted a bitch? I’d give her one. The immaturity needed to be dealt with once and for all. I stalked toward the bathroom.
“Oh no,” Kaylee muttered.
“Who’s that?” Michelle asked.
“Arrow’s ex. She’s a mean witch.”