Chapter 18 ZEE
“Can you believe we came in first?” Coach Redding slapped Zee on the back, shouting over the noise in the hotel bar.
The man wobbled and Zee shot out a hand to steady him.
“Yep, I had complete confidence.” Zee flashed the man a grin.
“Can I talk you into having another beer?”
“That’s it for me, Coach. I told the guys if they placed in the top three, I’d swim with them at morning practice. Gotta get my beauty sleep before I embarrass myself.”
“I’ll have one for you, pal!” Coach Redding guffawed, his face bright red.
Zee shook the man’s hand, waved to the rest of the coaching staff and grabbed the elevator up to his room.
He’d always believed in this team, and watching them seize the top spot was a rush of pride.
The hours he’d spent with these athletes—some of whom had doubted themselves—paid off.
Watching their self-doubt crumble as their confidence soared under his guidance was the real thrill, one that left him craving more.
Signing on for another season was alluring but tension throbbed at the base of his neck, guilt swarmed through his chest even thinking about it, knowing Ella didn’t want it.
The elevator doors pinged opened, he strode down the worn carpet to his hotel room.
Inside he kicked off his shoes, wishing Ella was there to greet him.
Te hotel room was worn but comfortable and he flipped on the bedside lamp.
He knew Ella was safe at home, probably entertaining Helena and Oliver and having a great time with their friends.
Zee emptied his pockets, put his phone on the night table and stripped off before stepping into the shower to rinse the smell of the auditorium off him.
The water was cold and not pleasant, and he ached for the comforts of home.
Yeah, this was exhilarating but he was serious when he told Ella no more.
This season was it for him.
It was time to take Ella on a trip or break ground on that bed-and-breakfast she wanted.
Zee didn’t see the appeal himself.
He loved entertaining people but to cater to them wasn’t in his wheelhouse.
Club Bandit happened because he wanted an exclusive place where he could host his friends and his buddies from the monthly charity poker game.
But they left when they were done and they weren’t there for turn down service.
He didn’t understand why Ella wanted to offer hospitality to strangers on their own home soil.
Guilt swarmed him because he knew part of the problem was his need to be doing something because he still had the fear that if he spent too much time at home, he’d turn into his father.
Grabbing the hotel phone to call for room service, his cell buzzed on the table beside him, flashing Helena’s number.
He made his order, then called her back.
“Helena, hi. I was just going to call Ella. You three must have missed me and wanted to include me in your party. Does everyone still have their clothes on?”
“My clothes haven’t come off, yet. How did the race go?”
“Put me on speaker so I can tell Ella.”
“Have you had a lot to drink tonight?” Her voice cracked, like she was holding back emotion and that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
“You know that one drink is my hard limit. What’s going on?”
“Sit down.” The cool Domme tone that his friend never used on him was enough to make him follow her direction.
“Helena, tell me what’s wrong.” He pressed his knuckles to his lips, bracing for what came next.
“Ella isn’t here. When we got here for dinner, she didn’t open the door. I let Oliver and I in with the code but the house is empty.”
“Sometimes she loses track of time out there in the gardens by herself.”
The words were flimsy and a distraction because he knew that Ella wouldn’t be in the garden this late.
“Oliver and Finn and other guys from Stone Security are walking the back lots. Carter is in your dining room reviewing footage. They will find her. Erik and Logan and Quinn are here too.”
Zee gripped the edge of the nightstand, his knuckles going white as the rush of panic took over. His chest heaved, and he couldn’t stop the shaking in his hands.
“Hours. It’s been hours.” Zee fumbled for his phone, scrolling to the last message Ella had sent him. The message was from late this afternoon. While he was cheering on the guys, she was at home. He thought she was safe there. Protected.
“Where the hell is she?” He didn’t mean to shout but he needed an outlet for the tightly coiled ball of emotion that was in his chest.
“I don’t know the answer to that, Zee.”
“Fuck, I have to get home, I’m going to get a flight, oh fuck, why did I leave her? She wanted to come. I should have known it wasn’t safe!” He stood, adrenaline rushing through his head.
“Zee, the best trained people in the country are here. There is nothing for you to do right now, we are taking care of it. What you need to do is pack your bags. Tell the team you need to come home for an emergency, then calmly exit the hotel. There’s a car waiting for you.
Xander arranged a plane. You’ll be home as soon as possible. ”
“That’s still a lot of time. Too much time.”
“I know you’re angry and terrified right now, but you need to pack. Now. You can’t help Ella if you’re stuck here. Focus on what you can do.”
“Fuck, I can’t…” But he didn’t have any anger left to explode. The anger was there yes, but the fear was sharper, stronger, humming in the background and it took all his strength not to collapse on the bed.
“We got you, Zee. Stay on the phone with me until you’ve packed your bag.” Helena’s sharp command got him to move.
The sooner I’m out of here, the sooner I can find Ella and when I have her in my arms again, I will never let her go.
And I’ll quit the job.
Fuck the job.
All I want is Ella safe.
In a daze he threw his clothing in his bags, and stood there, his heart pounding.
“Zee, how’s the packing going?” Helena’s voice cut through his panic.
“Fine. Done.”
“Good now, leave your hotel room.”
“Fuck, don’t tell me what to do!”
“Only this once, keep moving.”
He moved his feet as fast as he could, the hallway all a blur as he raced down the stairs down to the lobby.
Zee’s heart pounded against his rib cage as he made his way through the late-night crowd.
He should have taken Ella with him.
This is all my fault.
“Zee, where are you?”
“Lobby.”
“Get through doors and you’ll see the car waiting for you.”
He almost plowed over a group of women in tiaras from a bacholrette party as he raced out into the cool crisp air and then he stopped in his tracks, when he saw a familiar face and it took every ounce of his willpower not to collapse.
“I see him. Helena if there’s any news—“
“You’ll be the first to know. Get in the car, Zee.”
He hung up without saying goodbye and strode to the man with the buzz cut and biceps as thick as steel posts.
“Let’s get your ass home, Zee. We’ll find her.”
Gabe Arthur pulled him in for a bear hug, thumping him on the back.
The big man pulled away and herded him to a waiting SUV, opened the passenger door for him.
His vision blurred, his throat a big lump.
Gabe got in, started the car and kept silent, thankfully, because if his friend said another word, Zee knew he’d lose it.
He’d do whatever it took, even if it meant burning everything he loved to the ground to get Ella back home with him where she belonged.