Page 25 of Ashes of Sin

CHAPTER SEVEN

PIERCE

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“We have breaking news this hour. Kyra Fox, daughter of finance tycoon, Derek Fox, has gone missing.”

Jesus fucking Christ.

“Hasn’t she recently become engaged to Pierce Sterling?” The redheaded cohost asks.

They share a look as I sneer at the large TV screen on the wall.

“Yes. She did.” Redhead says. “Quite the age gap. Ms. Fox is only twenty-two, but I suppose the heart knows what it wants...”

There’s an awkward silence while I mentally roll my eyes.

Everyone knows we haven’t fallen in love, but I do not expect the media—who I donate a lot of fucking money to—to be hinting with no subtlety that Kyra has done a runner.

“Yes, well, I’m sure her family is very worried about her. But it is worth asking if there’s some kind of connection here.”

“And Mr. Sterling.”

They both nod at each other, barely containing their judgments, as fury rolls through my body.

I click the remote and turn the TV off. Then throw it across the room.

This is absolutely humiliating!

And unacceptable.

“Pierce.” Derek holds up his hands.

“Where the fuck is she?” I demand.

This is a goddamn PR disaster. I’m not listening to any more of their snide little comments. Announcing our engagement attracted enough of them, but that was before Kyra disappeared.

She’s making me look like a fool. Something no one—and I mean no fucking one—gets to do.

Kyra didn’t help with her pathetic half smile in the PR photos we had taken, but I let it go, dropping an anonymous tip that she was a virgin.

That circulated on social media and shut everyone up.

I half expected her to comment, but she didn’t, proving she’s as obedient as I need.

Until now.

“I’m sure Kyra will return soon. We’ve left messages, but her phone is in her bedroom.” Derek runs a hand over his short dark hair, frowning. “There is, and don’t freak out just yet, a chance she was...taken.”

I rip off my tie and roll up my sleeves.

What rubbish. He’s making excuses.

“Who the hell would want to take your daughter? No offense, Derek, but she’s not the brightest crayon in the packet, nor is she that pretty.”

Fuckable.

But not pretty.

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