Page 95 of Mind Maze

Then I see her go into a pawn shop.

Why would Romy need to go to a pawn shop?

I nearly stumble once my brain unravels the most likely reason. The engagement ring. She’s pawning it. Why?

Cash, dumbass.

Was the text about Theo a ruse to trick me?

Did she assume I’d rush back to the hotel to check on her, only to find an empty hotel room? By then, she would’ve pawned the ring and been out of town in no time flat.

Unbelievable.

Last night, she had me convinced. There was something deep within us both connecting us. And she could just sever it like it was nothing?

That can’t be right.

But she’s at a pawn shop.

The hotel is in sight, and even though I want to rush up there, I ignore that need, going toward the pawn shop instead.

Once I reach the pawn shop, I’m panting heavily, but thankful to see the dot is still there. I nearly crash into an abandoned grocery cart filled with random crap some homeless person left. With a curse of frustration, I sidestep it and then fling open the pawn shop door.

Where is she?

I look for her blond hair and lithe frame.

Nothing.

What the hell?

A man in many mismatched layers of holey clothes and who reeks of body odor eyes me warily. I narrow my eyes, zeroing in on the phone sitting on the glass countertop between him and the pawnshop worker.

It’s Romy’s.

“Where did you get that?” I demand, stalking over to him. “Answer me, dammit.”

The man holds up two filthy, glove-covered palms. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, man. This shit is mine.”

Right.

“You mugged my fiancée?” I hiss, shoving him backward. “Where is she? What did you do to her?”

“I found it,” the man counters back. “Didn’t touch no bitch for it either.”

I snatch the phone off the counter, ignoring the protests of the homeless man, and take off back out the shop door.

Please be at the hotel, love.

My mind races the whole way back. I don’t bother trying to call her since I have her phone, but I do blow up both my brother’s and dad’s phones, to no avail.

Finally, I reach our suite and burst inside. The television is on and Kaitlyn’s toys are strewn about, but she’s not there. My stomach twists. After a quick check in her room and bathroom, I determine she’s not in any of those places. Lastly, I check my room.

Nothing.

The girls are gone.

Theo isn’t here.

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