Page 98 of Petals and Fangs

“Which is?”

“I can't help but think of how Ethan has been on edge lately, more than usual. The FDA’s pressure might have forced him to take extreme measures.”

“Extreme measures? Like what?” the words escape my mouth.

“He could be hiding evidence or securing assets. He wouldn't leave us in the dark without a good reason. We need to find him and figure out his plan,” Alfred says.

“I have a list of safe houses. We'll start with the closest one. But we need to be cautious.”

“Since you said that you had been with him last night, Miss Snow, did Mr. Rothschild mention where he was going or who he was meeting the following day?”

“He was being secretive, but he did mention his attorney.”

“Perry,” Nick snarls under his breath.

“The attorney,” Alfred echoes after Nick.

“Do you two know something I don't?”

“No, Miss Snow,” Alfred raises an eyebrow at me.

“Let's move forward, shall we?” Nick says, glancing at me briefly and giving me a reassuring smile before looking back at Alfred.

“I agree. Let's check out the nearest location. Hopefully, we will find Ethan there.”

I smile at both. I am trying so hard to focus on my breathing. My anxiety and worry are making my heart pound so hard I can feel it reverberating inside my chest. If I don't get some air soon, I will faint.

I take deep breaths and put my hands over my stomach as I try to settle my racing heartbeat. I concentrate on listening to my breathing until it calms down. Suddenly my phone rings.

“Wait,” I stop them both and show them the caller's ID on my phone screen. It is Ethan calling. Finally.

Alfred stares at the number on the screen with growing concern. He seems unsure about taking the call. I hold my hand out and stop him from pressing the end button.

“Wait. Don’t pick up. Let me answer it,” Alfred urges me, leaving me confused. He then takes the phone from my hand.

“Put it on speaker, please,” Nick says, but it does not sound like a request. It sounds like a command.

“Can I have my phone back, Alfred, please?” I say, but I am soon interrupted by Nick.

“Oh, please, for God’s sake. Give me that,” Nick says as he grabs my phone away. He is obviously impatient, but not as eager and impatient as I am.

I glance at Alfred. He looks so confused. What is the matter with Nick?

“Is everything okay?” I ask Alfred.

“I can only assume Nick is scared for his brother. Maybe he is suspecting something too. I understand why he would be afraid, especially since he has never been the type to seek the limelight.”

“Nick, give me my phone back,” I furiously walk towards him, but he pushes my hands away from my phone.

“Nick, please.”

“Give me my phone! What the hell are you doing?”

I can see that Alfred is getting annoyed by Nick's troubling behavior. He sighs loudly, but something tells me that he is not saying anything about it on purpose.

“What do you want, Lily? You better have a good reason for interrupting me,” Nick suddenly says, my phone still in his hand.

“Nick, you are acting strange right now. What is wrong with you?”

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