Jasper’s last text gives me hope. Maybe he will ride in on a white horse and save me from myself.
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
Jasper
Charity is barely gonefour minutes when I’m pushing up from the table and stalking after her. I knock on the bathroom door and get no response. Fear burns like fire in my belly. My instincts tell me that something is off. I push open the door and sweep the room.
Empty.
My eyes land on an envelope leaning against the mirror with my name scrawled on the front. I rip into it. Both fear and fury simmering through my system.
Jasper,
I’m sorry. I have to do what he wants. He’ll hurt you and Darlene. I just can risk your lives.
Love,
Charity
“Fuck!” I shout into the empty room.
I storm out of the bathroom, my phone already in my hand. I dial her number and am sent directly to voicemail. I call again and get the same treatment.
Motherfucker!
I’m going to kill fucking Dima Sokolov, then spank the hell out of Charity for risking herself for my safety. The little fool.
I pound out a text to her since she refuses to answer her phone…
I’m coming for you.
Then I’m in my truck following the little green dot on my GPS that will lead me right to her. I dial Ransom, he answers on the second ring. I tell him what’s happened, and he curses.
“I’m sorry, brother. What do you need?”
“Back up. I have a feeling things are going to get ugly.”
“On it. Let me know when and where and I’ll be there.”
I get to the Iris Hotel, squealing my tires as I pull up. I get out, feeling frantic to find her. I rush out of the truck, leaving the door open behind me, not caring one bit if I’m in someone’s way.
“Sir, you can’t park there,” the doorman says.
“I’m looking for a woman. Blonde hair, wearing a yellow sundress.”
He blanches and shakes his head. “Not seen anyone like that, sorry.”
Bullshit.He’s seen her, and he’s going to tell me or eat my fist.
I get to him in two long strides, lifting him off his feet by the lapels. He squeaks like a frightened mouse, frantically grabbing at my hands while his feet scrabble for purchase.
“Tell me what you know, and don’t you dare lie.”
“They’ll k-kill me,” he stutters. His face is pale, and he looks like he’s about to piss himself.
“What do you think I’ll do to you if you don’t?” I ask, letting every bit of the madness burning through me reflect in my eyes.
“Th-they took her. Just minutes before you got here.” He points to the left. “They drove off that way. That’s all I know. I swear,” he sobs.