Page 52 of Stolen Love

There is another office on the other side of the reception desk. The door is closed and there’s a nameplate on the door for a Dr. Truman.

“That one is Dr. Keller’s,” Ivy points at the vacant room.

There’s an empty spot where there would normally be a nameplate on the door. The desk is clear of anything personal. The bookshelves behind it look like they’ve been tossed. A few loose papers are scattered on the floor. “This is Dr. West’s office, right?”

“For another two weeks, yes.” She moves to her own desk. “Can I book any of you an appointment?”

“Does his office normally look like that?” Rogue asks.

“No.” She presses her lips together.

“Would you mind if I take a look?” Jackson asks the woman.

“Uh. That would be highly unusual.”

“I won’t touch anything,” he says. “I just want to assess the situation.”

“Do you think I should call security? Do you think something happened to Dr. West?”

“More like Dr. West bolted,” Rogue mutters.

“Give me a few minutes to check out the area and I’ll give you my opinion.” Jackson strides into the room and starts actively looking around. He opens drawers and peeks behind curtains. “It looks like it’s been cleared out.”

Rogue shares a look with Rebel.

Damn it, Dizzy. I thought you were my friend.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ivy

"It looks like he left in a hurry,” Jackson says.

“Try calling Dizzy,” Rogue orders me. “If she doesn’t respond then we’ll have our answer. They know we’re onto them so they took off. That just proves they can’t be trusted. If this West was a good guy he would have come to us.”

I make the call while all three men watch. It rings out so I try again. That call goes to voicemail too. Icy cold fingers wrap around my heart. “What if she’s in trouble, Rogue?”

“Do you really believe that?” he asks. “Because I don’t. And I thought we were on the same page on the way here.”

“But she had those bruises.” So maybe it isn’t as simple as he’s making it. Clutching my phone, I drop my hand to my side. Or I really am a bleeding heart. “West hurt her.”

“We don’t know that. We don’t know anything about him. Or her for that matter.” He huffs out a breath as he drags his hand through his hair. “But Mom might. He’s been here for weeks. Probably visiting her. Possibly telling her about Dizzy. Learning as much about us as possible.”

“Let’s go find her then,” Rebel says.

“Don’t get your hopes up,” Rogue warns Rebel as we leave West’s office. “Just because she’s having a good day, doesn’t mean we’ll be able to get any information out of her.”

We find Momma Maddox on her favorite bench under one of the leafy shade trees.

Her eyes light up and she smiles when she sees two of her boys strolling across the lawn to her. She stands unsteadily as we approach. Puts her arms out to receive them. “My boys.”

Rebel keeps his distance. “Mom.”

Rogue hugs her. “Mom. How are you doing this week?”

“Where’s Riot?” She glances around the two men.

"He couldn’t make it, Mom,” Rogue says.

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