“I’m afraid she’s not home, sir.”
“Oh. Well, alright then. Thank you, and goodnight.”
I try to brush it off, but I feel a twinge of anxiety start to build in my chest.
He nods, and I turn around, heading back towards the limo where the driver meets me at the side of the car. He opens the door for me, and I step in, seating myself back against the leather.
As we pull away from the curb and the driver heads back towards home, my mind starts to wander again.
Why on earth hasn’t she gone home yet?
I glance down at my watch, and concern consumes me when I realize the time. Not that it’s overly late, but for her to not even come home since this morning? That’s certainly unusual and maybe even a little alarming.
Given everything that’s been going on and how we left things earlier, my mind starts to race with all sorts of awful scenarios.
Something could have easily happened to her on her way home from her office—it was after all, a new route for her—and we all know how that can upset things.
What if she got mugged? She’s a tiny little thing, and wouldn’t be able to fend off an attacker very well.
Oh, come on. She may be young and naïve, but she’s not a complete idiot. Besides, it’s not like she’d be traveling alone down any dark alleyways.
Besides the obvious fact that she’s a young, attractive—scratch that, very attractive—woman in a big city, she’s got an asshole for a father.
Do I really think he would hurt her somehow?
Definitely. I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s always been a dick, and he’s never really warmed up to Mira’s success with her business—even though he disgustingly tried to.
I mull it all over for a few minutes before shaking my head with a scoff, then I push the intercom button.
“Yes, Mr. Westbrook?”
“Change of plans,” I say gruffly. “Take me to Mira’s new office.”
“Right away.”
Once again, the car turns around, and we head back through town towards Mira’s office, my heart starting to thud in my chest.
I’m probably overreacting a bit, but who the fuck cares. I can do what I want, and right now I want to check in on her. Working this late isn’t good and will lead to burnout for anyone, let alone someone as new to this as her.
For all I know, we’ll get there and she’ll be fine. She’ll scold me for being possessive and shoo me away. If anything, that will make things easier—for both of us.
But maybe I should just turn around. She’s probably fine.
But what if I don’t check in on her and I could have prevented something from happening to her? I’d feel like shit, so I need to be sure she’s okay.
If I end up looking like the weird, crazy uncle because of it, then so be it. At least I’ll know she’s okay.
Chapter 24
Mira
I’m roused from sleep by the warm feeling of strong arms wrapping themselves around me, pulling at my shoulders.
Confusion settles in.
Why am I waking up somewhere else other than my bedroom?
Soft golden lights shine above me. There’s a kick-ass view of the city to my left, framed by a large picture window. There are decorative paintings on the walls and large tropical plants all surround me.