Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
ALARIC
“Doubt is a thief that often makes us fear to tread where we might have won.” - William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure
Forty-eight hours. That's how long it’s been since pure panic and anxiety have dug its claws deep with an unyielding hold.
Sleep has been hard to come by causing my body to feel weak and drained.
My whole world seems like it’s been turned upside down, triggering the haunting nightmares of my past. Obsessed is what I’ve become trying to bring her home.
I’ve realized that my world simply doesn’t exist without her in it.
The darkness seems to rise higher and higher each day that we find no leads to where they could be held.
My director wanted to take me off the case due to my relationships with the victims. He doesn’t know the details of how close Celeste and I are but he’s aware that there’s something there and the fact that my partner is with her.
I refused to step down and made it clear that I would continue searching regardless if I’m on the case or not.
I advised him that if he removes me, I will resign and find other resources.
He wasn’t thrilled with my threat but he obliged knowing damn well that he can’t afford to lose me.
Samantha. Celeste. Monroe. Three names of women he has taken.
Steering off course, taking two more than he originally planned.
Samantha has lived the longest of the victims but how much longer do they have until one of them shows up at Times Square?
We haven’t heard a word from the assailant.
No videos, no riddles, no parading of his good deeds.
We circled back to the guy we were suspicious of the night of the event.
After hours of watching the feed, we were finally able to get a glimpse of his face and run an identifier.
It was, in fact, Oliver. Clean cut and undercover, just as we were.
We should have pursued him when we had our suspicions.
There are a thousand things we should have done to avoid this whole situation.
After leaving the station, I head back to the club to do another sweep as if we haven’t done it a thousand times.
There has to be something that’s missing, something that we glanced over, not realizing that it could be another clue.
Parking my car across the street, I get out looking both ways before I cross the busy street.
The club has been shut down since the event and Celeste’s men had escorted the employees somewhere safe until we were able to resolve the case and catch the bastard.
Melodie is the only one who still comes in the club during the day to make sure the books are handled, and no break-ins occur.
She’s, of course, escorted in and has nonstop eyes on her.
They must have seen me approaching as one of the security guards opens the door before I’m able to reach for the handle.
The lights are on fully and the area is empty of life except for those who are here.
Looking over the space, the night replays from my memory.
People crowd around laughing and cheering from the hands they won and the liquor they downed.
Music echoes off the walls with hips swaying side to side.
Her face was a foot away from mine, just out of my grasp.
Celeste’s eyes skim me from head to toe with hunger in her eyes.
The power that radiates from her is consuming and unrelenting.
She’s the most beautiful creature I have ever seen.
My chest tightens as the images of her throughout the night flash clip after clip.
Clinking of glasses grabs my attention, reminding me there’s someone else here other than myself.
Melodie gestures me over with the tilt over her chin, the amber liquid catching the light as she pours a finger's length into the glass.
Taking a seat at the bar, she slides the crystal glass in my direction, catching it in one hand.
I swirl it around, watching as it creates a funnel to the bottom of the glass.
“She’ll come home, she always does,” Melodie breaks the silence with her soft voice.
Looking up, I catch her staring at me with thoughtful eyes and a soft smile.
The smile doesn’t meet her eyes, though.
She’s worried just as much as I am. Taking a sip of my drink, the liquid burns down my throat and I welcome it.
At least I can feel something other than the numbness that has consumed me.
“How can you be so sure?” I ask after a moment of silence.
“I’ve known her for many years. I can guarantee that she’s endured worse.
She’s trained to be strong, demanding, and resilient.
She plots and schemes, rarely sharing it with the rest of us but she’s always a step ahead.
If her plans have been altered, she always figures out another way,” she tries to reassure me.
A thought emerges, making me realize that she knew of this plan this whole time. She’s used to Celeste’s reckless decisions and way of thinking. She’s not just an employee but part of the inner circle. How is she okay with Celeste risking her life without a bat of the eye?
“You knew,” I deadpan. “You knew of her plans to get captured but you told the police differently. Why?”
She takes a moment of hesitation as her eyes go wide in realization that I didn’t buy the story she gave. She doesn’t know if she can trust me and I don’t blame her. I wear a badge and she’s afraid she’ll get in trouble for withholding information.
“I’m aware of the plans she put into motion.
I’m working with Antonio and Larson off the clock, putting my career on the chopping block for working with the Mafia to find the woman I love.
I’m also withholding that information. So, why did you tell the police differently?
” I lean forward as I bare myself to her to earn her trust.
“Loyalty goes a long way. She’s proven herself to those around her that she would give her life to those whom she protects.
We’ve done the same for her. Even if this club and the girls are only a sliver of the businesses she owns and deals with, she treats us all the same.
We became family as soon as we walked through that door.
I’ve been around a long time, before she even took over this club from her father.
She’s worked hard to earn the respect, fear, and loyalty in a male-dominated world.
She entrusted me so I can make sure the girls are safe and away from prying claws.
That’s why I kept pieces of the truth out of my statement.
I knew who would be coming for her and the badge wouldn’t get to her in time if things went wrong.
” There’s no regret in her statement, only love as she speaks not only of her boss but friend.
We sit in silence for a few minutes as I reflect on what she just said.
I was here to see if there was any evidence that would suddenly appear but instead learned of the kind heart Celeste has, even if it’s unnerving.
Finishing off my glass, I slide it over pulling a twenty out of my wallet.
Melodie waves me off but I place it on the bar anyway before I make my way through the club.
I move to the seats he had been occupying and dig in the cushions for anything he may have dropped, but come up empty handed.
My phone dings making me pause my search.
Unknown number: Sending you a link to meet. Bring Beckett, no one else. We may have found something.
My body stiffens for a brief moment trying to figure out who this is but then it dawns on me that it’s one of Celeste’s men.
I rush out the door to my car without acknowledging Melodie as she’s calling after me asking if everything is okay.
I wonder how they obtained my number but then again, it doesn’t surprise me with their tech guy who can hack into things better than the FBI, so I heard.
I quickly send Beckett the link to the location advising to get there asap.
I made sure to advise him to come alone as requested.
Shifting my car into gear, I peel off from the curb and weave in and out of traffic earning blaring horns and vulgar signs.
Whatever they have found will be the first lead we have been able to get since the kidnapping.
We’ve been hitting dead end after dead end and he’s been very precise with covering every single damn track.
The road led me out of the city limits, twisting and turning around mountains until descending down the hill.
I follow the GPS, making a right, instantly surrounded by trees, giving a secluded feel.
At the end of the long road, the trees open up to a gigantic, mesmerizing house.
It gives a homey feel from the outside but also the size of four or more houses.
Where the hell am I? There’re several black SUVs parked at the front and I take my place next to them.
Cutting the engine, I sit for a moment trying to calm my racing heart.
I should go in, but I just need a second to collect myself.
This could be a key component to finding the girls and bringing them home safe.
The sound of tires on gravel pulls my attention to the rear-view mirror noticing Beckett’s car arriving and taking up a spot next to mine.
Taking a deep breath, I open my door and step out at the same time he does.
“Solace, you look like shit.” Beckett raises his eyebrows. “What is this about and why did I have to keep this discreet?”
Well, he’s such a gem this afternoon. His face says it all; he was about to have a good time with whomever was at his house before he got my text, and it was cut short.