Page 46 of Misguided Vows

As she reviews the contract, my phone begins buzzing in my pocket, and my forehead crinkles at the name that appears on the screen.

“I just need to take this call,” I tell her, then step out of the room and wave for my lawyer to go back in, in case she has any questions.

I might’ve been okay with answering the previous call in the car, but this one has no place for Alina overhearing.

When I’m outside, I answer the call. “Thomas, this is unexpected. What’s it been, seven years?”

“William. I need your help,” he says breathlessly. “My daughter’s gone missing.”

My stomach drops at the frantic tone of my old colleague’s voice. He’s the only person from my past I’d answer a call from because he was the only person who helped me back then. But it isn’t enough to motivate me to leave Alina’s side. I’m determined to see this through.

“Have you gone to the local authorities? What have you done to search for her?” I ask, because Thomas was effective in his own way at hunting people down.

“Please, Will. I can’t find her. It’s been a week. I’m begging you.” His voice cracks.

“Are you sure she hasn’t run away? People go missing all the time—”

“Don’t you dare recite the stats for disappearances to me. Come on, Will, please. You, of all people, know what it feels like to lose a loved one. I’m calling in the favor.” My heart sinks as he brings back my demons. Of ghosts, I’ve been running away from for so many years.

But I also remember the insufferable desperation to find them before it’s too late. And sometimes—more often than not—it is. I lick my lips and look back toward the building where Alina waits for me.

“Please, Will. You’re my last resort. No matter your price, I’ll pay it.”

I know Thomas doesn’t have the money to pay my rates, but he is one of the few to whom I owe a sliver of loyalty because he was one of the few who was with me back then.

“Send me all the information you have so far,” I say.

“Thank you, Will. Thank you.” He chokes on a sob, and I grind my jaw, listening to the tears that are about to break this man who was never moved by much.

I hang up and fight back the ghosts of my past. Of a woman I once loved, who was taken from me far too soon.

Why now is she coming back to haunt me when I’ve been able to outrun the pain for so long?

I pocket my phone and walk back into the office. My lawyer and the plane salesmen are smiling and chatting idly with Alina.

She notices immediately when I enter. “Are you sure you can afford this before I sign on the dotted line?” she teases, and my lawyer coughs in shock. He knows too well what I can afford.

Her expression changes when I produce a dimpled smile. “It’s all yours, love.”

She seems perplexed, and I imagine it has much to do with my changed demeanor. But once I’m given a job, I’ll stop at nothing to find my target. Especially this one.

She signs the dotted line, and I turn to the salesmen. “Done. Show her the plane.”

“There’s no need,” she says, raising her hand to stop them. “How soon can you sell it?”

“S-sell it?” my lawyer stutters, shooting me a look.

“It’s her plane.” I shrug, amused and not at all surprised.

“And how quickly can you sell it?” she demands.

My phone begins buzzing, and information threads through from Thomas.

I grimace as I step up behind Alina and kiss her on top of the head goodbye. She seems surprised but equally suspicious, and I simply explain, “I just got a new job. I’ll have my driver pick you up and return you home. Sorry, I can’t drive you myself.”

“That’s fine,” she replies, perplexed. “I can get an Uber.” She twists completely in her chair and says in a hushed tone, “Is everything okay?”

“Of course.” And then I look to my lawyer. “Whatever she asks for, provide it for her.”

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