Page 53 of The Scout

“What do you mean missing?”

“He never made it to the airport,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “He was supposed to be wheels up hours ago, but he never even checked in. No one’s heard from him. No one knows where he is.”

Sasha stared at me, processing.

“Holy shit, Izzy.”

I nodded, biting my lip.

She ran a hand through her curly hair, shaking her head. “Jesus. No wonder you freaked last night. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t know how,” I admitted. “And everything was happening so fast.”

Sasha softened, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “I’m so sorry.”

I exhaled, forcing a nod. “Thanks.”

She studied me for a moment. “Is that why Ryker was there?”

My pulse stumbled.

“What?”

“At The Sound Barn,” she clarified. “He showed up out of nowhere and dragged you off like he had some kind of claim on you.”

A claim.

I thought about the way he had touched me, the way he had possessed every inch of my body like he had a right to it.

Sasha’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a second.”

I shifted under her gaze, suddenly feeling too seen.

Her lips parted. “Oh, my God.”

I sighed. “Sasha?—”

“You slept with him?”

I groaned, rubbing my hands over my face.

“Holy shit, Izzy.”

I dropped my hands, glaring at her. “Not the reaction I was hoping for.”

She let out a short, incredulous laugh. “What kind of reaction were you hoping for?”

“I don’t know,” I muttered.

Sasha shook her head, looking both exasperated and intrigued. “So that’s why you didn’t show up for work this morning.”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t have to.

She let out a breath, still shaking her head. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, he’s insanely hot—but, Izzy, come on. Ryker Dane? He practically radiates bad decisions.”

I sighed. “I know.”

Sasha crossed her arms. “And yet, you still let him?—”

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