Page 40 of Found By Him

I clear my throat in annoyance as I sit up in my chair. “Don’t be a dick.”

He chuckles and holds up his hands in defense. “I’m not being a dick. I’m just trying to point out that I was right.”

I slap my thighs as I push out of my seat. “I think we’re done here.”

His laughter and his shouted demand that I bring her to Alice’s party follow me out.

When I return to my office, I pick up my desk phone and dial Carlos.

“Detective Martinez.”

“Carlos, it’s Jack. Any luck?”

He exhales a loud breath. “Not really,” he says, and my teeth grind. “I have her phone records, but there isn’t a lot to go on. This person blocked their number. I’m trying to get more information from her provider. But I don’t have a warrant yet, so they aren’t being forthcoming with anything helpful.”

“Can you get a warrant?”

“I’m working on it. But I don’t have a lot to convince a judge that I need one.”

I scratch my fingers through my beard. “What about the places we know he was recently?”

“I have any CCTV or security camera footage that I can find from the restaurant and anything around that corner, but without knowing who to look for, there isn’t anything to go on.” He sighs. “I do see some guy in a hoodie, but I have no clear images of his face. Unfortunately, I can’t find where he came from, so I don’t know what other cameras I could find.”

“Fuck.”

“Don’t give up on me yet. There’s a reason I’m one of the best detectives in Nashville. Maybe even all of Tennessee.”

I chuckle despite my frustration. “And so humble.”

“Damn straight. I gotta go, but I’m still working on this. I’ll call you soon with an update.”

I disconnect and aggressively rub my palm over my hair with a sigh.

Nate’s right. All I can do right now is make sure Gisella is safe.

21

Ella

“Jack, are you sure about this?” I secure my phone between my ear and shoulder as I sit on the edge of the bed and lean over to slide my feet in the pair of expensive black heels.“Of course, I am. Why do you ask?”

“I don’t really know anyone. And this dress is too much.”

“You don’t like the dress? We can get you a different one.”

I move to my mirror and turn so I can see it from every angle. The dress is stunning. It’s made from a slinky, shimmery material that appears black but ripples into deep purples and blues as the light hits at different angles. It looks like it would be scratchy against my skin, but it isn’t at all. Hugging all my curves perfectly without being overly restrictive, it’s luxurious. The sleeves are sheer and loose around my arms and tight at my wrists, making it moreelegant. Hitting my mid-thigh, the length is classy but not as formal as it could be if it were a floor-length gown. With the neckline dipping to a V, it’s the right amount of sexy. Having a larger chest with too low of a neckline makes clothes border on indecent, but this has me looking alluring and confident.

“No, I love the dress.”

“Good. Then I don’t see the problem. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow at six.”

With a sigh, I plop back down on the edge of my bed. “Fine…” I toy with a loose thread on my comforter. “Will I see you tonight?”

He lets out an annoyed growl I feel in my core. “Unfortunately, no. I have to cover an event again tonight. I have no idea when I will be done, and I don’t want you to have to wake up and come let me in.”

I didn’t get to see him last night either. It’s surprising that in such a short amount of time, I would feel this disappointed that I won’t see him for a couple of days. Especially after the way we woke up the other morning. The memory of his hands on me occupies way too much of my mind as it hopes for when I can be with him again to be very soon.

We say our goodbyes, and I tell him to stay safe, of which he assures me that he always is and not to worry about him, which shockingly does nothing to negate my worrying about him.

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