The security guards finally walk in through the door of the guesthouse, no doubt the two that drew the short straw. My father was right when he told Jack that the security in this place is first rate; I’m sure they were informed immediately that there was a disturbance down here. By rights, I should fire them on the spot for their tardiness, but I can kind of understand the hesitancy. On the one hand, their job is to throw out intruders. On the other hand, one of those intruders is a man that could have their brains blown out by the end of the day if he’s riled.
I nod at the nearest of the pair. “Please escort my father from the premises. If he enters again, call the police.”
He hesitates, glancing at my father, and I grunt in frustration.
“Fine, I’ll do it myself and the two of you can look for new employment.”
The second man quickly steps forward. “Apologies, Mr. Schalk.” I wait while he nervously walks over to my father, his companion following behind, barely meeting my eyes.
As soon as a hand is placed on my father’s shoulder, he shrugs away. “Don’t touch me. I can leave on my own.” He turns his eyes on me, a fire in them. “Just remember, Roman, you wanted this. Wherever it goes from here, you’re responsible for the outcome.”
“No shady deals, no shady business partners? A life free of your influence? I’ll consider myself lucky.”
I watch them go until they’re out of sight, then turn with a growl. That won’t be the end of it. My father will try to retaliate. But what he doesn’t know is how well insulated I am. I may not have been expecting to leave his organization in quite so dramatic a fashion, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t prepared for the worst. Over the years, I’ve made arrangements. There are things I know that, if pushed, I could make public, and there are friends and funds available to me if I needed them.
He’ll be cautious coming after me. He’ll check into my resources. When he does, he’ll back off.
Turning with a growl, I survey the ruins of the battlefield. We’ve made a mess, and someone will have to clean it all up, but all that matters to me right now is my sweet treat.
“Safi, they’re gone and they won’t be coming back.” I walk down the hall to the bedroom, trying to get my voice under control. “I’m sorry you had to hear th—”
My jaw hangs open as I turn to look around the bedroom. Empty. Some of her clothes are strewn across the floor, the French doors standing open. But there’s no sign of her.
“Shit. What now?” I grab my pants up off the floor, hastily pulling them onto my legs. “Safi!”
I have no idea where she is. I could check my security cameras, but that will take time I might not have.
Fuck, why didn’t I already install a tracking app on her phone? Why didn’t I have her guarded 24/7?
Think, Roman. Use that analytical brain of yours. Where would she go?
She doesn’t drive.
That thought hits me. She didn’t want to take the job here because it would be too far away from her culinary school. I offered to lend her my car.
She still has access to that, but the fact that she left without saying a word tells me she wouldn’t use it. So what then? A cab?
Yes. A cab. She was in a hurry, she won’t book one, she’ll hail one. Turning to the bedside cupboard, I tug open the drawer and retrieve the little white box that’s lying safe in the back. If I’m lucky, she’ll still be outside the casino, if not I’ll just have to threaten someone to give me the address where she was taken.
I burst through the front doors of the casino like a man possessed, my eyes sweeping the crowded street, looking for those hazel eyes, that dark hair. My heart is pounding in my chest, the thought of losing her making me desperate. It’s my life on the line. Without her I’ll wither and die, and I’ll be happy to do so. Without her, my life is worth nothing.
“Safi!” My voice comes out hoarse, stolen by the breeze. People turn to stare at me but I don’t care. “Safi!”
She’s everything. I can’t lose her. Picking a direction, I start running, looking at every person I pass, hoping it’s her. She’s already gone. She must have. If she was here I’d—
There.
I see her crouch to climb into the back of a taxi, tears streaming down her face. No no no. I can’t watch her go. I break into the fastest sprint of my life. “Safi!”
Her face rises to look at me, shock painting her features. I watch her say something I can’t hear, as her hand comes down on the door lock, shutting me out.