Page 68 of His Captor

“I hate to break it to you, but babies don’t listen,” I panted, although the contraction that came with my water breaking was passing. “You can wave your gun at me all you’d like, but it’s not going to make a difference.”

Colin suddenly stared at the gun he was carrying, like he’d forgotten it was there. He lowered it, then stuck it in the waistband of his jeans again.

“Don’t you know it’s a bad idea to—” I started to tell him, though it would have worked in my favor if he shot his balls off.

I stopped midway through the thought as a surge of what I could only describe as presence filled me and my eyes popped wide.

“What?” Colin demanded. “What’s going on?”

At first, I thought it had something to do with labor. But no, it wasn’t pain or anxiety or fear that washed through me. It was a sure and steady presence. Mace’s presence. It felt like a compass inside of me pointing to true north. Or rather like I was true north and Mace was pointing toward me.

“He’s coming,” I gasped, practically groaning with relief.

“What, the baby?” Colin asked, his voice rising an octave.

He took another look at me, then bolted for the door, slamming it behind him as he fled.

I shook my head and slipped to lie on my side. Colin could run and attempt to escape all he liked, but I felt it ringing throughout me, like an actual, tangible thing. My alpha was coming, and he was going to rescue me.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Mason

From the moment Colin ended the video call, I didn’t stop moving. Hayden was in trouble. He needed me. My omega and my child needed me. That feeling pulsed through every cell in my body, giving me a single-minded focus as I headed back into the hotel.

I called Det. Shirley, not even questioning whether she would answer the call or be able to drop everything and come straight to the Grand Hotel. She would.

She did.

“I’m already on my way,” she said as we ended the call. I hadn’t had to explain much more than that Colin was holding Hayden prisoner somewhere nearby for her to take action.

And Haydenwasnearby. I could feel him, though the sensation was vague and strangely empty. I didn’t have anything near to the pinpoint precision that I’d heard some long-term bonded couples had when it came to knowing where their matewas, but at least I knew Colin hadn’t bundled Hayden into a vehicle and driven him far away.

I almost found humor in the situation. Almost. I’d grabbed Hayden, bound him, and thrown him in the trunk of my car to drive him from his conference hotel to my play apartment nine months ago. At least Hayden had experience with being held against his will.

Except this time wasn’t a fantasy.

“Mr. Canton, have you found your omega?” Mr. Harvey called out to me as I stormed back through the ballroom.

The dinner portion of the evening had begun, and most of Mr. Harvey’s guests were seated at the table, having innocent, chummy conversations while my world threatened to fall apart.

I’d completely forgotten that Mr. Harvey had said he’d search for Hayden as well.

“No,” I said, barely pausing to speak to him on my way across the room. “But I received a call from Colin Gregory, who is holding him prisoner somewhere nearby.”

Mr. Harvey looked shocked and scandalized. “Is Victory Holdings involved? Have you called the police?”

“I don’t know, and yes,” I said, continuing on toward the door that would lead to the lobby, Mr. Harvey following.

“I don’t know what to say,” Mr. Harvey said with a scowl. “This is unprecedented. You have my full support in doing whatever it takes to find your omega. Just let me know what you need from me.”

I paused in the doorway, turning back to the dinner. My expertise was in preventing things like this from happening. I didn’t know how to ask for help once the worst had already happened.

“I suppose it would be best to keep everyone distracted until the police arrive and a search can be done,” I said, feeling horrifically helpless. “I’m about to alert the hotel staff.”

“Whatever you need,” Mr. Harvey said. He reached out to close a hand around my arm. “If I have any part in this, I’m sorry. I never should have believed hearsay from an unreliable source. I’m only glad my rash actions didn’t harm any working relationship we might have.”

The intent in Mr. Harvey’s eyes told me I had a very good chance of winning the contract with the Harvey Corporation after all, but he could have told me the walls were painted beige for all the impact the good news had on me.

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