But whatever happens from now, even if I still want to make him pay, it shouldn’t be my entire life’s focus. I have something else to think about. I have Sasha.

She’s changed the way I see things and given me hope that my life can have meaning again. She brings out the best in me. I want to develop that. I want to make things work with her.

Climbing the steps towards my front door, I notice that one of my cars isn’t here.

Did Sasha go out? She knows not to go out without me. Where the hell would she have gone?

Panic shoots through me.

I rush into the house looking for her.

“Sasha?” I call out, but she doesn’t reply.

I run upstairs to the library, where she loves to sit.

“Sasha?” I shout louder as the panic starts running deeper.

“Mr. Dubrov,” Penny’s voice carries through the house towards me.

I turn and run towards her. “Penny, where is Sasha?” I demand.

“Don’t worry, sir. She went out, but she took the guards with her, so she’s perfectly safe.” Penny smiles warmly, ignoring the desperation on my face. “She made sure to be careful, sir.”

“Where did she go, though?”

“To town, sir.”

“Why?” I snap, feeling anxious.

“Um—I’m not supposed to tell you,” Penny grins.

“Penny,” I growl darkly. “My wife left the house without telling me. I want to know where she went.”

Penny sighs and pulls her mouth to the side. “Sir, please—she asked me to keep it a secret.”

“I’m not playing fucking games here, Penny. Tell me.”

Penny twists her hands together in front of herself and realizes I’m not letting this go.

“Please, don’t tell her I told you. She went to get you a gift. She’s gone to a jewelry store to find you a watch. Somewhere in town. I don’t know where, though.”

Sasha went to find me a watch. She snuck out to surprise me with something. My heart flips. I haven’t had someone do something thoughtful like that for me since—since my parents were alive.

“Thanks, Penny.” I breathe a sigh of relief.

I feel better knowing she has the guards with her, but I’m still uncomfortable with the idea that she is out there without me. It’s still risky with her father looking for her.

I’ll just call and get them to bring her home. I love the fact that she wanted to surprise me, but I’d rather have her safe at home than out there alone.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial one of the security guards. No one answers, which sends off an immediate alarm bell for me. The guards know they have to answer. Their entire job is to be alert and present in the moment, and if I call, they should answer.

I dial the other guard, and it rings for a few seconds before a voice I don’t know comes through the line.

“Hello?” a man says.

“Who is this?” I demand as all of my stress starts coming back.

“This is Officer Matthews. Who is this?”