“You don’t think…?” Laiken’s words trailed off as I was sure a million dark what-ifs filled her head.
“He would have to realize pretty damn quick that he had the wrong woman.” And I had to hope Eli would let her go once he realized that he couldn’t use her.
Hayes held up a hand to stop my guessing game. “We don’t know what happened. If it was Robert Aaron or Eli or someone else altogether. The only thing we can do now is work the evidence and get searches going for Marisa.”
“Tell us what we can do,” Laiken said.
A car door slammed, and we turned to see Gilly heading our way. Her face paled as she took us all in. “Did you find her?” she asked Hayes.
“I’m afraid not. We’d like to do a search of The Gallery premises just to make sure we aren’t missing anything inside.”
“Of course.” Gilly slid a key off her ring and handed it to Hayes. “Look anywhere you need to.”
“Thank you.” He started back towards his officers.
Gilly turned to Laiken and pulled her into a hug. “When he called, I thought it was you. That you’d been taken. Cherub, I was so scared.”
“I’m okay.” Laiken’s voice trembled. “But I don’t know that Marisa is.”
Gilly pulled away from Laiken but kept a hold of her shoulders, her gaze moving from Laiken to me. “We need to get a search going.” She pulled out her phone and hit a contact. It rang and rang. “Jax was probably out late with those friends of his.” She paused for a moment, listening. “It’s Gilly. Marisa is missing, and we need all the people we can get for a search. Call me when you wake up.”
She hung up and began typing out a text. “I’ll let Chip and Serena know, too. My book club ladies. They’re great at spreading the word.” Gilly nibbled on her bottom lip. “I’m not sure if I should tell Kay.” She looked up to meet Laiken’s gaze. “She’s not been herself lately, and I don’t think this would help—”
Laiken squeezed Gilly’s hand. “We should shield her while we can. I can call Everly, Hadley, and Addie. They’ll get the word out in their circles. We’ll find her.”
Gilly shook her head. “What’s happening around here?”
I didn’t have an answer for her, but whatever it was, it wasn’t good.
36
Laiken
I slumpedagainst the bathroom counter as I set down my toiletries bag. Everything hurt. My eyes burned, my back ached, and my legs felt as if they might give out on me at any second. But hours of scouring the woods and driving around town hadn’t given any of us a clue as to where Marisa might be. It was as if she’d simply vanished into thin air.
A soft knock sounded on the open door, and Boden stepped into the bathroom. “You find all the space you need?”
I did my best to force a smile. “I’m taking up half your shower with my girly-smelling stuff now.”
Boden brushed the hair out of my face. “I like having your girly-smelling stuff next to mine.”
“Not afraid it’ll turn your shampoo pink?”
“I’m not scared of a little pink.”
“That’s good.” I grimaced as I shifted against the counter.
Boden massaged my neck. “Your back hurting?”
Normally, I tried to hide my pain from others, not wanting them to pity me or try to throw me solution after solution. But I found myself wanting to let Boden into my world. To let him see everything. “It’s not feeling great.”
“How about a bath?”
“That actually sounds perfect.”
Boden released me and turned to the large soaking tub. He switched on the water, holding his hand beneath the flow. After a few seconds, he lowered the drain. Pulling open the shower, he surveyed the contents and grabbed my bodywash. He poured a healthy slug into the water, and bubbles immediately started to form. “You soak, and I’ll go make you some tea.”
I moved into Boden’s space, pressing my body against his and seeking his lips. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”