Chapter 38
Victor
The moment Serenity walked away from me, the reporters swarmed, but I kicked them out. Too bad for them they didn’t get the scoop first.
Some of the articles are still circling my mind. One of them even said, “How did no one pick up on the fact that Victor is blond hair and blue-eyed while the whole family has dark hair and eyes? Had no one picked up on the fact his mother dyed her hair blonde to try cover it up?”
That last question was the truth. People assumed I resembled my mother, but she had started dying her hair so long ago that most people don’t remember she used to have dark hair like Isabella’s.
I lived my whole life wondering about that until one day, my dad sat me down and explained that even though I’m not his blood, I’m still his son and will be the CEO of Barlowe Tech one day.
Deep in my gut, I don’t think Serenity would tell anyone my secret for money or anything like that. She isn’t a liar. But I do think maybe she told Harmony, and someone could’ve overheard her. This is a life-destroying secret. And I trusted her.
This whole time, I’ve been trying to gain her trust, but she’s the one who broke mine.
I prowl away from the crowd and toward the house. I take out my phone and dial the one person always on my side.
Mrs. Frederick answers on the first ring, most likely already aware. “What’s your plan?” Her words confirm it.
I always have a strategy with at least two contingencies, but I’ve been given zero time to prepare. I’m almost certain my father’s hands are tied. At this point, I might need the shareholder’s vote.
“I’ll come up with something.”
“Well, you better do it fast before the wolves descend. Mr. Lexington has been plotting since he found out.”
“And what about you? Do you think I should remain CEO?”
She scoffs. “It’s not your fault your mother had an affair. You’ve been raised to take over Barlowe Tech, but not everyone will agree with me. And Mr. Lexington will make sure to keep everyone uneasy.”
Mrs. Frederick always tells me like it is.
She worked with my grandfather, my father—until he retired early due to the fact that the doctors said if he didn’t lower his stress levels, he wouldn’t make it to an old age—and now me.
She’s been around for so long I don’t remember the board without her. “What do you think I should do next?”
Harmony walks up to me before Mrs. Frederick can respond. “Serenity is gone.”
My heart throws into overdrive. Even though I’m conflicted, the sense to protect Serenity is still there. “Did she say anything to you?”
Harmony shakes her head. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to her before she left, but I know you two fought. You might want to think really hard before making any irrational decisions. There are some things you two should talk about.”
Her response doesn’t make much sense. “Like?”
She crosses her arms and tsks. “I’m not telling you. This is between the two of you. Now, go find her.”
I nod. Instead of questioning her, I dash to my SUV and start the engine. I don’t know where to start looking for her, but she wouldn’t go back to Granite Falls, not while Summer is still here. The only other place she frequents is the clinic where she volunteers. Maybe I can start there.
Before I can shift into reverse, my phone vibrates with a text from an unknown number. The only other time I received a message from a number I don’t have saved was when Mr. Smith took Harmony. As I click the message thread, my pulse pounds in my ears.
Unknown Number
We have your wife. If you want her back, bring us five million dollars and drop it off at this location.
They have a building in Boston pinned.
I climb back out of my vehicle and pound across the yard over to Elias. He stands next to Harmony, eying me as I near them. He must’ve witnessed the argument, too, but for now, we need a ceasefire.
“Where’s Summer?” I ask, a deep panic setting in.
“She’s with Sully,” Harmony replies.
I run a hand down my face. Thank fuck. “Elias, can you come with me?”
He gives me a strange look but doesn’t question my request.
Harmony follows us, concern pinching her forehead. “Is something wrong?”
Elias and I sit inside the SUV while Harmony pokes her head inside the passenger window. And I fill them in on the text.
Harmony’s face bleaches of all color. I can only imagine the memories it brings back for her. It does for all of us, but she was the one who was kidnapped.
Elias flexes his hands. “Give them the money. You have plenty of it.”
I give him a look. “I can’t just pull five million dollars out of the bank right now.”
Sully runs over and stands beside Harmony. Sully’s copper eyes are on high alert. “What’s going on?”
We fill him in as quickly as possible as Summer bolts over, and his jaw ticks. “I’m going with you.”
Harmony places her hands on her hips. “If you go, who is going to watch Summer?”
“You,” all three of us say in unison.
No way is Harmony going anywhere near danger after last time. But before I can voice my concern, Sully says, “I know you want to go, but if you go, I’ll have to stay, and I want to go bring my daughter back.
I clear my suddenly clogged throat. This man isn’t Serenity’s dad, but he’s just like mine, claiming someone who isn’t biologically his.
Harmony’s hands drop to her sides, and she frowns. “Are you sure I can’t go instead?”
Sully nods once. “Let me do this. For Serenity. For you. For your mother. Please.”
“Fine. I’ll stay here with Summer.” Harmony’s voice shakes as she speaks. “If you need me or have an update, please call me.”
Sully climbs into the back seat of my SUV.
Harmony turns her attention back to Elias, and they press their foreheads together. Elias cups her cheeks as he says something, but I don’t hear it. White noise is deafening me.
I can’t help but wonder if they’re hurting Serenity right now.
I slam my fists on the steering wheel. Why did I accuse her of telling my secret?
If I hadn’t, she wouldn’t have left, and no one would’ve taken her.
Even if she did let it slip, I could’ve handled the situation better.
But I had just found out, and I didn’t know what to think.
My phone vibrates. The timing is too close to the threat. Maybe it’s them again. But when I pull my phone out, I find an email from Matt.
Victor,
I’m sorry this took so long, but all of the members had their identities wiped from the database, and they use false names like Buck and Wild Lily. You said Serenity’s last name was Nolan, correct?
I found some of their real names. I’m attaching an image of someone with the same last name as her.
I’d recognize that face and name anywhere. It’s Paul.