15. Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Michael
Red bleeds into my vision as I slam my fist on the mahogany desk. “What do you mean, you can't find her?” My question is geared toward my lead man on the phone. I had to go back to the office, leaving him to follow Melanie. Pushing away from the computer screens, I stalk to my private bar, crystal decanter rattling against the glass as I pour. The amber liquid won't calm me, but it might stop me from strangling someone.
“The program shows she's there.” I study the blinking dots on the monitor, tracking my men in real-time. “The car is a few blocks south, but the phone and tablet signals are exactly where you three are standing. So. Fucking. LOOK!” I ended the call. “Morons! How could they not see her?”
The whiskey burns going down. The empty glass makes a satisfying explosion against the wall. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in modern art hang in here, but watching crystal shatter into glittering shards feels like a better decoration.
Back at my desk, I lean close to the screens. The red dot representing my team moves methodically through the search grid. But those blue dots representing her phone, my burner phone, the tablet, her computer, and the one in Moses's collar those dots remain stubbornly stationary. The other blue dot marking her car sits apart, mocking me.
“What are you up to, little bunny?” My fingers trace her dot on the screen. “If you forgot the phone again...” A shiver of anticipation runs through me. “Hippity hoppity, you're going to be in very big trouble. So, please tell me you forgot it.”
The phone's ring interrupts my fantasy.
“Well?” I snap.
“Found the phones and tablet, boss. Her laptop too, and-”
“AND?”
“Suitcase full of clothes and a cat collar. But here's the thing, all the electronics are smashed to hell. I don't think all the damage is from the fall. They look like she did a number on them before that.”
“Fall?”
“Everything's in a dumpster. And,” he hesitates, “she's not here, no sign of her anywhere.”
The leather of my chair creaks as I lean forward. “Are you absolutely certain she's not there?”
“Either she ditched it all herself or somebody grabbed her and did it. But she ain't here, boss.”
“Get over to her car. Find her. NOW!” Only years of control keep me from hurling the phone after the glass. I stare at the car dot. “Someone's been a bad, bad bunny.” I pick up my pen and slap my palm, imagining the punishment I would enforce. I have to adjust my hardening dick. Sliding my jaw back and forth, I close my eyes, envisioning her strapped to,
My phone rings again.
“She sold it.” The voice reports. “Dealer went on and on about her being smoking hot and having a kick-ass car. But that's all he remembers.”
My jaw clenches. “What did he sell her?”
“Nothing. Said she walked off toward the right side of the lot.”
“When?”
“Yesterday.”
“YESTERDAY? When we were there? Canvas every dealership in a fifty-mile radius. She has to have a vehicle. Show her picture. Find her!” I end the call and walk to the windows. A laugh bubbles up from deep in my chest.
“Oh, what a very clever little bunny. Clever indeed.” My hand drifts to the ever-growing bulge in my pants. “You want to up the ante? Fine, we'll do that.”
To chase prey that bites back, fuck me! And little bunny just proved she's going to be the most entertaining chase yet. The thought of her trying to outsmart me, thinking she can escape. I adjust myself, already aching.
I take out my cell phone. “I want you in black and in position in five minutes.” I turn away from the windows. I'm going to be fantasizing about the fear in her eyes when I finally catch her. God, it will be exquisite.
Hitting the hidden button on my desk, I wait for the door in the wall to slide open. “Now the real fun begins!”
Cameron
After lunch, I decide I would head over to Michael's office. I hadn't heard from him last night when I said I had been at the hospital. Not sure exactly why I'm going, I guess I just feel the need to make sure he's there and alright. Inside the gleaming corporate headquarters, I keep my eyes on the floor, not wanting to see the pitying looks from people. I've been getting them ever since the word spread about Mel's disappearance.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Whitaker.” Michael's assistant, Jill's, voice, is carefully neutral.
“Hi Jill. Is he in?” I can barely muster a nod.
“One moment.” She lifts her phone. “Sir, Mr. Cameron Whitaker is here to see you. Yes, sir.” She hangs up. “Go right in.”
The massive wooden door is carved in a Japanese fight scene. Anywhere else it would look pretentious, but leading to Michael's office, it fits. Everything about his space screams power, money, and success. Sometimes it's hard to reconcile this Michael with the scrawny kid who used to share my lunch with when bullies took his.
“Cameron!” He waves me in with his usual energy. “Grab yourself a drink.”
“I'm good.” I sink into one of the black leather chairs facing his desk.
“What can I do for you?”
“Where've you been?” I try to keep the accusation out of my voice. He's probably busy running his empire, not sitting around obsessing like me.
Michael closes his eyes for a moment and breathes a couple of breaths before meeting my gaze. “Sorry, man. Been swamped trying to fulfill this needy ass group of client's request.”
“Shouldn't that be requests?” I attempt our usual banter.
“Nah, they all want the same thing. Bastards.” He closes his eyes again, tension visible in his face.
“Must be one hell of a request.”
“Oh, it is.” His eyes remain closed, a slight smile playing at his lips. “But the fun is in obtaining it.” His eyebrows knit together, then relax. “You need something specific, or just missing my charming company?”
“I was wondering if-” His raised palm cuts me off, his hand forming a fist. The tension in his face increases, followed by a long exhale. He releases his hand.
“One second.” He rolls his chair back from the desk. A dark-haired woman with a long straight ponytail, pale skin and gothic eyes rises from beneath it, wiping her mouth as she turns. My brain takes a moment to realize what just happened. Michael stands, casually doing up his zipper as she saunters past me with a wink.
“I saw that.” His voice cracks like a whip and she stops mid-step. Turning with cat-like precision, she faces him, her head bowed. “You know better. I want you in the corner position when I get there tonight.”
She nods, then spins gracefully. Stopping at the door, she bows with clasped hands before gliding out.
Michael turns to me like nothing happened. “You were saying?”
“Damn, Michael! You couldn't have had me wait out in the lobby?”
“Why?” He looks genuinely puzzled.
“So, you could finish,” I gesture vaguely, “that.”
“I did finish.” He settles back into his chair.
“And why the hell do you want her in the corner? Is she in time out?”
His laugh fills the office. “Shit, you're so fucking vanilla, bro.”
“What?” I could hear my own confusion in my voice. “Is the corner a sex thing?”
“Google it. You'll thank me later. Now, I'm going to assume you didn't come for sex lessons, although God knows you need some.”
“Fuck off. I came, I came to have you help me find Melanie.” His head snaps up, instantly alert. “You're the computer genius. I thought maybe you'd know some way to track her down.”
“Cam, I've been trying since she disappeared. Got programs running searches right now.”
“You do?” Hope flutters in my chest.
“Started them the minute the wedding went sideways. Only hit so far was that motel sixty miles out, but by the time I contacted them, she was gone. They barely remembered her until I described her.” He leans forward, hands clasped on his desk.
“That's all the police have found, too.” My shoulders slump. “Thanks for trying.”
“I won't stop searching till she's found. I promise.”
“Thanks for having my back.” I stand, suddenly drained.
“Hey, brewery tomorrow night? Would say tonight, but I've got an... appointment.” His wicked grin returns.
“Can't. Mom's hosting a let's distract Cameron's family dinner.” I roll my eyes. “She said to invite you. She's been stress baking all day.”
“Count me in.”
“See you then.” I walk to the door. “Thanks again, Michael, for helping look.”
“I've always got your back, bro.” He nods at me. “Tomorrow night.”
Walking out past Jill's desk, gratitude washes over me. While I've been wallowing, Michael's been quietly searching for Melanie this whole time. I'm grateful to have a friend like him.