Chapter 203
I blew out a sharp breath and rubbed a hand through my hair. “You’re telling me there’s nothing?”
“Not yet. But I’m still looking. There might be traffic cams near the area where it was dumped. It’s going to take some time to get access to that footage, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Work faster,” I snapped. “We don’t have time.”
“I understand, sir.”
I hung up without another word, my teeth clenched as I stuffed the phone back in my pocket.
Shit.
I turned and went back downstairs. It was a heavy weight that dragged me down with exhaustion, but I threw it off as I entered the living room.
Dominic lay on the couch, his arm flung over his face, chest moving in deep, even breaths. Out cold.
I stared at him for a moment, my frustration warring with reluctant relief. He’d drunk himself into unconsciousness, but at least that meant he was getting some sleep. He sure as hell wasn’t thinking straight in his current state, and right now, we needed our heads clear.
I sighed, shaking my head. “At least you’ll be sober when you wake up,” I muttered under my breath.
Now the exhaustion hit me harder. The weight of everything–the dead ends, Raina breaking down, Faith still missing–settled deep in my bones.
I rubbed a hand over my face, then sank down onto the opposite couch.
Just for a little while, I told myself. Just long enough to clear my head.
I let my body sink into the cushions, my eyes sliding shut.
Morning came too fast.
A stab of panic jolted through me before I was even fully awake. I sat up abruptly, my mind immediately snapping to Raina.
I had to check on her.
I pushed off the couch, rubbing a hand over my stiff neck as I made my way upstairs. I reached her room and knocked lightly.
“Raina?”
No answer.
I knocked again, then pushed the door open. The bed was empty.
My stomach tightened.
Maybe she was in the bathroom.
I strode to the door and knocked. “Raina?”
Nothing.
I pushed it open, finding it empty as well.
The uneasy feeling in my chest flared into full–blown panic.
Where the hell was she?
I turned on my heel and bolted down the stairs, my pulse thundering in my ears. “Raina!”
Dominic groaned from the couch, shifting under the blanket. “What the hell?” he muttered, his voice hoarse from sleep.
I didn’t stop. “Raina!”
Footsteps sounded from the kitchen, and she stood in the doorway a moment later, frowning. “What’s with all the yelling?”
Relief slammed into me like a sledgehammer.
I crossed the room in two strides and caught her, hauling her into a tight hug.
“What–Alex!” she gasped. “I can’t breathe!”
I loosened my hold just enough to look at her. She was okay. She was here.
1/2
Chapter 203
+25 Bonus
She looked up at me, scowling. “What’s wrong with you?”
I let out a breath and shook my head. “I woke up, and you weren’t here. I thought-“I trailed
mind.
Her expression softened. “I just went to make breakfast.”
I rested my head against hers for a moment before letting her go. “Next time, tell me.”
“Tell you what? That I was going to make eggs?” she teased, but her voice was soft.
I glanced at her. “Yes. Exactly that.”
not wanting to voice the worst that had crossed my
A groggy voice cut us both off. “You two done having your little moment, or can I go back to sleep?”
I turned to see Dom sitting up, rubbing his face. He looked like hell.
“You’re up,” I said.
“Unfortunately.” He rubbed a hand through his hair, then faced me. “You heard anything?”
Before I could respond, Raina’s gaze snapped to me, her interest piqued.
I did pause. I’d have liked her not to know anything at all, but she was in this up to her neck now. There was no hiding it anymore.
I let out a breath. “They found the van.”
Her hands clenched at her hips. “And?”
I hesitated again, then met her eyes. “But not Faith.”
Her shoulders sagged a little, but she just nodded ‘slightly.
Without another word, she turned and disappeared back into the kitchen.
Dominic and I looked at each other before she reappeared a minute later with two plates of food.
She set them in front of us. “Eat something,” she said firmly. “You’ll need your energy.”
I looked down at my plate, then back at her.
“You need to eat too,” I told her.
She shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”
I frowned but didn’t push the issue. She wasn’t going to shove food down her throat now, and I wasn’t going to sit there arguing about it.
Dominic grumbled as he reached for his fork, stabbing at the eggs. “I’m too hungover for this shit.”
