Chapter 40 She’s missing
ALEX
N
The sound of Leah’s voice grates against my ears like nails on glass.
She laughs at something I didn’t say
don’t bother to correct her.
or maybe she just likes the sound of her own voice. Either way, I
My eyes remain fixed on the racetrack, but my mind is elsewhere.
My head is a spinning mess. I’ve had the toughest weeks of my life and it has fucked me up. Athena has started clawing her way inside my head and I hate it.
I almost lost my mind when I saw her have that panic attack two weeks ago. Then I had to bathe her completely naked.
Fuck. That woman is gorgeous.
Those curves.
That long black hair.
I’ve never had to fight for control the way I’ve had to these past days. The urge to crash my lips on hers, touch her every chance I get, has been building day by day and it’s annoying as hell.
I agreed to come to the race because if I didn’t get some air I was going to lose my shit. But then that fucker Arnold pissed me off with his stupid remarks, and I had to hold back the urge to break his fucking neck. Already, I’m still thinking about how to deal with Noah for disobeying me.
The bottle of water in my hand feels heavier than it should. I swirl it once, watching the colorless liquid catch the light before setting it down untouched.
“Alex, did you hear me?” Leah’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
Has she always talked this much?
I’m starting to wonder if this is how love fades. When she saved me that night, I felt like she was an angel who would stay by my side as I protect her in return.
But now I’m starting to wonder if it was love to start with.
“No,” I answer flatly, not bothering to pretend otherwise.
She blinks, caught off guard, but recovers quickly with a small smile. “I was saying, Father asked if you’d join us for dinner next week. He misses you. You haven’t visited home once even though I’ve been back for more than two months.”
“You know how my mother feels about that and what she’ll do,” I say, glancing at my phone.
“Since when did you listen to a word she said?” Leah challenges.
“I’m her son. It’s you she’ll kill, you know I’ll protect you from anything, but mum is not on that list. “I respond, pulling out my phone, unlocking it to check the time.
1/4
I’m lying but it’s the best excuse I’ve got.
Where the fuck is Athena, and why has she taken so long?
“But we are getting married soon. Will she never accept me?” Leah’s voice softens, sounding almost broken.
“She will. Let’s just get through the divorce first. With Athena’s Memory gone, it’s gotten complicated.” I hold her gaze and she swallows, making me realize I just glared.
I soften my gaze and sigh when she finally speaks up,
“I’m starting to think she Might have pushed herself Into that pool. I mean she’s the only one benefitting from it.” Leah protests.
“We’ll talk about that later.”
But even as I say the words, my attention is elsewhere. Leah may have a point but I don’t think Athena would be that stupid.
Especially that it has caused her trauma.
My eyes start scanning the crowd, sweeping over every table, every group, every shadow.
Still no sign of Athena.
Where the fuck is she?
It’s been fifteen minutes and she hasn’t returned.
And yes I’ve been counting every second!
I rise abruptly from my seat, ignoring the confusion flashing across Leah’s face.
“Alex? Where are you going?” she asks, her brows knitting together.
“Wait here for me.” I respond.
“Wait-” she starts, but I’m already walking away, pulling out my phone again.
“Ryan,” I bark when he answers.
“Yes, boss?”
“I want you to call for backup. Search the entire area,” I say, my voice cold but tight.
There’s a pause. “Is something wrong?”
“I can’t find Athena.” My jaw is locked so tight, I can barely get the words out. “Find her. Now.”
“Yes, sir. I’m on it.”
I hang up and keep moving, scanning every corner, every exit. My pulse is thumping hard in my ears.
She wouldn’t leave without telling me.
2/4
Right?
Did she get another attack?
Did someone take her?
The feeling grows heavy in my chest when I remember the look Arnold gave me.
He wouldn’t fucking dare. I try to remind myself.
But the unease grows fieavier, tighter, as if something sharp is lodged in my chest.
I walk past the food stalls, the lounge, around the VIP section–nothing.
My feet take me toward the restroom area, and I pause near the women’s restroom, running a hand through my hair, tugging at the strands in frustration
I hesitate for a second, then move forward, fully ready to barge in if I have to.
But before I reach the door, my phone vibrates in my hand.
Ryan.
I answer it fast. “Have you found her?”
There’s a pause
—
– too long and my heart pounds harder.
“Yes, but-”
My chest tightens. “But what?” I snap, a dangerous edge to my voice.
Ryan exhales like he’s bracing himself.
“She’s on a horse.”
“What?”
“She’s on a horse, sir.” he says again, slower this time, like I didn’t hear him the first time. “With a gentleman.”
Silence.
My grip tightens around the phone as something ugly and unfamiliar coils in my chest.
“On a horse with a gentleman? What the fuck does that mean, Ryan?” I ask like a dense idiot.
I heard him but surely he must mean something else.
“You know the parade? To close the race? She’s on a horse with a man and they’re-”
“Cut it.” I growl.
“Sir, it’s against the rules to disrupt the parade once its started.” Ryan explains and my anger just
grows.
“Do you want me to repeat myself?”
3/4
Chapter 40 – She’s missing
I hear a defeated sigh, “No. Sir. I’ll cut it right away.”
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