Dorian
Bruno’s right-hand man, Alfred, was strapped to a chair and seething at me. I appreciate his loyalty to Bruno. Didn’t understand it because Bruno was a despicable human.
I glanced at my old friend across the room in a medically induced coma. I wasn’t sure what to do with him. The stubborn bastard had survived the heart attack. I was sure it was because he knew Tina was alive. He probably wanted to see for himself if she was alive.
“Alfred, Alfred. You should hide your phone better.” I stared at the contacts. Three had stood out to me, so I called one, and it was a dead end. The second resulted in a goose egg. I was about to dial the third number. I was confident I’d strike gold.
“She’s smarter than you think,” Alfred muttered.
“She’s her mother’s daughter.” I stood in front of him. “She’s an exquisite, strong yet playful, kind and loving creature. But smart?” I laughed. “No, she’s easily manipulated because she’s desperate for affection.” No fault of her own. Without her mother, she was a very lonely little girl. Bruno never had time for her.
“She’ll prove you wrong.”
“Shush, now.” I pulled the gun out of my pocket. “Tell her anything about her father, and I’ll kill you.”
I listened to it ring and put my finger on the trigger.
“Hello? Alfred, are you there? How’s my dad?” My heart swelled hearing Brynne’s voice. God, I missed her.
“Well, hello.” I focused hard on hearing movement or whispering. “Brynne, don’t ignore me. I’m quite disappointed in you.” I had no idea what made her want her get-out-of-dodge bag. When Gina texted the message, I lost my mind.
“Why are you calling me on this phone? This is my dad’s way to contact me,” she said harshly.
“The better question is, where are you? I came to your graduation, and you’re not here.” I circled around Alfred again.
“I want to talk to my dad.”
“He’s unavailable, but Alfred is here. Speak to her,” I told him.
“Brynne, are you safe?” He’d been beaten and had broken ribs, so he struggled to breathe.
“Yes, how’s my dad?”
I put the gun to his head as a warning.
“Alfred?” Brynne called.
“Don’t trust—” I blew his bloody brains out. The son of a bitch knew not to betray me.
Brynne screamed, then the call ended.
I spun around to face my computer guy. “Did you track her?”
He gulped. “No. I was almost there but needed another minute.”
“Fuck!” I threw Alfred’s phone on the ground and stomped on it.
What was I to do? I needed Brynne more than my next breath. I’d been biding my time all these years before taking her as my wife. Losing her was a stupid mistake, one that may cost me dearly, one Bruno may rub in my face. If he ever comes out of his coma.
“Keep searching,” I yelled at Greg. “Some computer genius you turned out to be.”
“She’s off the grid, but I’ll do my best to find her.”
“She could be anywhere in the world by now,” I hissed. “Try facial recognition. I have.”
I threw my hands up. So she was hiding, but someone had to be helping her.
A thought occurred to me. Someone at the sex club might be able to help me. Or at least point me toward someone who might know where Brynne had gone.