His eyebrows merged. "Oh, um, hey. Is Giselle okay?"
"Uh, yeah, actually—"
"Is that her?" he said, his voice rising. He'd heard her sobs in the background. His head started throbbing instantly, and like lava, a burning rage poured over him from head to toe. "Give her the phone!"
"Who is it?" Abby asked.
Chris threw her a glance and nodded.
Xavier said, "Relax, man. No need to get worked up."
Can't you hear her crying?"You hurt her, and I'll rip you from piece to piece, you hear me?" he bellowed.
Despite the threat and the situation, Chris heard him chuckle. "I'd like to see you try."
His heart sank to the pit of his stomach. "Is she hurt? You touch a hair on her head and I swear to God—"
"I will never hurt her..."
Chris heard Giselle, "It's okay, Xavier. Just give me the phone."
"Who is it?" Abby asked again.
Chris gritted his teeth. "Fuck it." He ran to his bedside table and grabbed his keys and wallet.
"Chris," Giselle whispered into the phone.
"Giselle." His voice shook unintentionally. He said gently, "Don't worry. I'm coming, okay? Just tell me what's wrong?"
"Chris..." she whispered, her voice shaking and hoarse.
"Where's Abbott? Did Xavier hurt you? I swear I'll kill him!"
Chris turned to look at Abby, who stared back at him, stunned. He touched her cheek apologetically, and she returned an understanding smile. She quickly grabbed her bag and magazine, and both of them headed toward the exit.
Giselle replied on the phone, "No, no, he didn't. Chris, daddy..."
He froze mid-walk. Abby whirled around to see him. "Wh-what happened?" he asked.
"Daddy is—" Her voice broke as she sobbed.
"Okay... Okay, calm down. I'm right here. Just tell me where he is. Is he m-missing? Hurt?"
"He's...he's gone!"
"G-gone? Wh-where?" He bit on his lower lip. Words started clogging his windpipe, and he gulped to calm himself enough to be able to speak properly.
"Dead, damn it! He's been killed!" There was a stretched, deadly pause, and then she whispered, "He's gone..."
He stammered, "H-how do you know?"
"What?"
"Wh-what, what are y-y-you... I d-don't... "
"Oh Chris!" she cried. "You're breaking my heart."
The words choked him as he said, "I d-d-don't understand."