Page 63 of Worship Him

No answer. A tight and bitter knot settles in my stomach, ruining the taste of my whiskey. I set the glass down, frowning. Why didn’t she call again after missing me the first time?

Another buzz. A text from my lawyer.

"Did you see the news?"

My frown deepens and I type back: "No. What news?"

"I…I think it’s better if I just show you. I’m sorry, Adam."

What the hell is he talking about?

A link pops up almost instantly. I tap it, and my world stops.

The headline of the news article screams at me, narrowing my world to seven words.

"Breaking: Tech Mogul's Wife in Car Accident"

The words blur as I scan the article. Destiny. Car accident. Paparazzi chase. My heart pounds in my ears.

There are no relevant photos in the article, only a stock image of a wreckage. The car in the image is crumpled and destroyed, making my mind reel with possibilities of what happened to Destiny and my daughter.

"Fuck!" I slam my fist on the counter, the sound echoing through the empty house.

I dial Destiny again. Voicemail. Again.

"Destiny, it's me. Call me back immediately. I need to know you're okay."

My mind races. The airport photos. I thought she'd left the city. Was it all fake? A setup? Did the fucking paparazzi make shit up just to stir things?

Bloody idiots.

I grab my keys, already heading for the door. I need answers, and I need them now.

As I rush to my car, I realize that Destiny must have called after the accident. Fuck. Every fiber of my being is hoping that she and Avery are okay.

I dial Destiny's number again.

Straight to voicemail. "Goddammit!"

I pull up the article again, scanning for any details about the crash location. There. A stretch of highway about two hours outside the city. I quickly search for the nearest hospital and dial their number.

"St. Mary's Hospital, how may I direct your call?"

"I need information on a patient. Destiny Lewis. She was in a car accident?—"

"I'm sorry, sir, but we can't disclose patient information over the phone."

"Listen, I'm her husband. Our daughter was with her. I need to know if they're okay."

"Sir, I understand your concern, but?—"

I cut her off. "No, YOU don't understand. I'm Adam Ryder. I'll be there in an hour. Have someone ready to talk to me."

I hang up, pushing aside the fear slowly coiling around my heart. I will remain calm. As I always do.

My hand pauses on the door handle. I send a text to Thomas, asking him to get back to me immediately.

When I slide into my car, my phone buzzes. A text.

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