Page 20 of Bastian

Someone must’ve helped her.

All these years, I had an inkling that Banning had a hand in it, but I always chuck it off as being a jealous fuck.

His loyalty should be to me, but what I didn’t take into consideration is that I was the one who made him take care of her since she was just eighteen years old.

A bond was formed during their time together, but I was so focused on my loss that I put it on the back burner until now. “You’re awfully quiet there, Banning,” I speak up after a long moment of silence, still staring out the window. Are you out there? I wonder.

“Got nothing to say, boss.” He shrugs.

I chuckle drily. “That’s a first.” Banning is not the same man as before. I did that, too. I’m to blame. Fuck. “Are there any updates on her?” A day hasn’t gone by that I don’t ask, but he never had anything to say. She was just gone. She vanished into thin air like a magic trick.

Black magic she was.

“Still nothing, boss.” I used to feel defeated every time he would give me the same answer as now, but at this moment, I feel skeptical, and although the idea that Banning helped her keep her from me pisses me the fuck off, at the same time, I am glad she had someone there for her.

When I wasn’t.

Fuck.

Before I get to ask more, a knock at the door interrupts me.

Sighing, “Come in.”

The doors to the Oval Office open, and Baron enters the room. “Mr. President, here is all the information the team gathered on the journalist.” Turning to him, I take the yellow envelope from him and walk towards my desk, taking a seat.

“Thank you, Baron. You may leave.”

“There’s something else, sir.”

“What is it?”

“A short clip of the press conference was posted online.”

“And?”

“It doesn’t look good, sir. The clip was of Ms. Adams’ questions, and you look…”

“Spit it out.” I bite.

“You don’t look all that confident in it, Mr. President.” Baron clears his throat. “They made it seem as if you were rattled by the young interviewer.”

Looking down at the file, I speak directly to my right-hand man. “Banning.”

“Yes, Mr. president?”

“I want to know everything there is to know about the CEO of the Washington Weekly and everyone who works there.” For all its worth, I have to give it to him. If he has something to hide, he sure doesn’t act like it.

He nods, then steps out of the office.

If I want the truth, I’ll have to seek other resources because, one thing I am sure of, Banning won’t give out Arianna, not even for me.

“Baron.”

“Yes, Mr. President?”

“You may leave.”

“Of course,” He nods, excuses himself, and disappears, leaving me alone with a racing heart and new purpose thrumming through my veins.

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