Sally quickly faded from his thoughts as he took the stairs down toward the lobby. His mind came back to focus on Kaitlyn, and he wondered if she was okay. It wasn't like her to not answer her phone, and as he tried to call again, the phone rang and rang before telling him she hadn't set up her voicemail box. He shot her a quick text as he crossed the lobby and headed for the front door. But she hadn't responded to texts either, and the knot in the pit of his stomach tightened and grew.
Carter walked toward Kaitlyn's front door and lifted his hand to knock. She didn't answer, and he called her phone again, feeling the sickening sensation of panic as he heard her phone ringing in the house.
That told him she was there... or she'd left without her phone. The only way he could imagine that was if she'd left under duress.
Taking a deep breath, he twisted the door handle, praying she hadn't locked it. The door opened and he let himself into her apartment. Everything looked normal, except the cup of coffee on the counter that had barely been touched. He wandered through, seeing her purse, her phone, things she would never leave without and knew that she'd been taken.
Jesus Christ, he thought, her kidnappers could be miles away by now, but he had a feeling he knew exactly who had taken her... and where.
The thought of it made his pulse race.
He'd hunt Devon down and find her, wherever the bastard had taken her. And the best place to start was Devon's mansion on the city limits.
Carter left Kaitlyn's home and made his way to his car, his knuckles itching for a meeting with Devon's face as he worried about Kaitlyn. He was going to find her, he promised himself. He'd find her and bring her back and then he was going to make sure Devon stayed far, far away from her.
The drive passed in a blur, but all Carter could think about were her honey-colored eyes, her soft smile, the way she'd curled into him all night while they slept. When he finally pulled past the gates and up the drive to Carter's home, he parked, jumped out of the car, and made his way straight to the front door, his fist raised to knock... or punch someone.
"No need," came the voice of the man himself, "I'm right here."
Carter stopped, mid-knock and turned to see Devon, who watched him with a terse smile and a sickening expression.
"Well, well," Devon said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "it's the man himself at my castle."
Carter took a few steps forward, his fists doubling up. Devon glanced at them, clearly aware of Carter's fury. "Where is she?" Carter demanded.
"Kaitlyn? She's fine. Just having a bit of fun." Devon looked Carter up and down. "Why are you here?"
"To take her home. What did you do to her?"
Devon lifted his eyebrows as if surprised by the questioning. "We just talked."
"About what?" Carter asked.
"You."
Carter didn't like that answer one bit. "Devon, if you've hurt her in any way, I swear to God, I'll—"
"What?" Devon cut him off, laughing. "You'll what?"
Carter took a step forward and Devon backed away, his expression becoming one of cool amusement.
"She's fine," Devon said in a pacifying tone. "I'd never harm a hair on her head. We've just been having a bit of fun and talking."
"What kind of fun?" Carter demanded. "Where is she?"
"She's enjoying the indoor hot tub right now. She's spending some time to think about things, to come to terms with the things you've lied to her about or not told her. That's all."
Carter's blood ran cold. What lies had Devon filled her head with? Surely, she wouldn't fall for them, would she?
Devon stared him down. "The only thing you need to worry about is that you leave this property right now, Carter. I won't ask twice. And Kaitlyn will be fine. I promise you."
"Is that so?" Carter said, his hands in fists, "Why don't we make a bet? I'm betting she's not fine, but I'd like to know why you're so determined to keep her that way."
"I suggest you leave, Carter."
Rage brewed low in Carter's gut.
"Because if you don't leave," Devon said, "I will call the cops."