Page 19 of Seen Knot Heard

Vivian straightens, drawing herself up to her full height. “You’re a fool, and you’ll never have my daughter. Louie will give her everything you can’t. Wealth, status, influence. He’ll elevate her to the heights she deserves.”

“You’re wrong.” The security guards tighten their hold, which only fuels the fire raging inside me, the fierce determination to protect Chloe at all costs. “Louie will cage her, suffocate her until nothing remains but a hollow shell. I won’t allow that to happen. I’ll fight for her, even if it means taking on the whole damn Santaro Pack.”

“Then prepare to lose, pup.” She settles back in her seat. “Louie will crush you without even leaving his penthouse.”

As I’m dragged away, I turn my head, locking eyes with Vivian one last time. Her cold gaze holds triumph, a woman who believes she’s already won. But something else is there, too, a flicker of fear, of uncertainty. She knows I won’t give up without a fight this time.

“This isn’t over,” I growl, my words a solemn vow. “I’ll be back for Chloe.”

Vivian’s mocking laughter echoes in my ears as I’m hauled through the doorway and out into the loud public area of the racetrack. Humiliation burns my cheeks as people turn to whisper as I pass, but they don’t matter.

When the guard releases me at the gate, I pull out my phone with shaking hands, my heart pounding. I speed dial Blake’s number.

He answers on the first ring, the sound of construction in the background. “Dom? What’s going on?”

“Chloe’s being held in one of the Santaro penthouses,” I say, my words clipped. “If we’re in luck, that means she’s still in the city.”

“Good work. I’ll track down every one they own,” he says. “Are you going to be home tonight?”

I should go be with my pack, but if Blake finds an address right away, I don’t want to be on the island, waiting for Kyle to bring the water taxi back. For the first time, I question our choice to live in a place accessible only by boat.

“No, I’ll book a hotel room tonight.” I head toward my car. “If we don’t find another lead by tomorrow, then I’ll come home.”

“Okay, stay safe,” Blake says, concern in his voice.

“I will.” I pull my keys from my pocket. “Make sure Holden leaves some scones for me?”

“I’ll hide a basket in the pantry,” he promises.

We say our goodbyes, and I slide into the driver’s seat, breathing in the clean air. Chloe’s face flashes behind my eyelids, her pink hair and sparkling eyes, her secretive smile and infectious laughter.

My grip tightens on the steering wheel. This time, I won’t give up.

No matter the cost, I’ll save her.

Chapter Seven

Chloe

Aknock at the door jolts me out of my pacing as the maid enters, her hands full with my dinner dishes.

I hurry forward with a bright smile. “Let me help you with that.”

Under the pretense of holding the door, I slip the bobby pin from my sleeve and jam it into the latch, praying that the security woman in the hall doesn’t notice.

“Lovely weather we had today, don’t you think?” I say.

Ignoring me like usual, she delivers the tray to the table and leaves with a curt nod. When the guard frowns at me, I step away from the door, letting it swing shut.

The lock whirs with a slight clunking noise, and my heart leaps into my throat, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I wait for someone to investigate.

When no one comes, I take measured breaths, willing my pulse to slow.

Dinner hour is a skeleton crew shift, with all the staff going on break, except the kitchen server. When Louie and I have our private time, even they make themselves scarce unless summoned.

It’s the opening I’ve been waiting for.

I hover by the door, ears straining, until I’m certain the penthouse has fallen silent. The only sound is the muted electrical hum that pulses through the walls.

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