Page 71 of Rekindling Desire

“You didn’t have him charged,” Ella said as she unlocked the front door.

“I did. We can drop the charges. I want him to know I’m serious.”

“Duchess,” Ella called as we entered the condo. “Will you go fill the automatic feeder while I go upstairs and pack?”

“Don’t be long,” I said, leaving a kiss on her lips. “Duchess,” I called, thinking how the cat was usually our greeting committee. Maybe I was no longer novel. “Ella,” I yelled as I entered the kitchen. “Ella, get down here.”

Fuck.

I ran toward the steps as she was coming down.

“What’s the matter?”

“The glass door to your deck is open.”

Her eyebrows knitted together. “No, I wouldn’t leave it open. Duchess. Oh my God. Duchess.”

“Is anything else out of place?” I asked.

“Did that company do this? Damien, we need to find Duchess.”

Did the security company leave a door open?

They better the fuck have not.

I pulled out my phone to call Anthony when Ella’s desperate calls refocused me. Find the cat. Then call the security company.

I searched Ella’s backyard. I suppose it could be called that. It was lush green grass and manicured bushes and flowerbeds all surrounded by a tall, stained fence. “Duchess.”

Looking up at the height of the fence, I felt minutely better. Duchess couldn’t jump over the privacy fence. I shone the light from my phone under the deck and called the cat’s name. From the open door, I could hear Ella’s voice grow more desperate.

Once inside, I closed the door and continued my search.

Under the sofa.

Behind the television stand.

Duchess was the only cat I knew. I had no idea where she would hide.

Finally, I began opening cabinets.

“Damien.”

I turned to take in Ella’s tear-streaked face. Simply seeing it made my heart break. Her hands were empty. “We’ll find her,” I said.

“She’s not here.”

Her hands trembled as I pulled her to me. “We’ll find her.” I stroked her hair. “Let me call the security company.”

Ella nodded.

Taking out my phone, I hit Anthony’s cell number. He answered on the second ring. “Did you do a security check of the three houses?”

“We were able to check Dr. Sinclair’s place. She has a top-notch system in place. I have a few upgrades to recommend.”

“What about Ms. Crystal’s condo near downtown Carmel?”

“I thought she would have told you.”

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