Page 71 of Little Did You Know

"Probably because he doesn't know where you are, Olivia." Justin snatched his coat from the chair as his phone started ringing. He didn't bother answering it, already checking his watch for the third time in as many minutes. My heart stuttered. Nick had always been protective, but this felt different—excessive even for him. "We need to go."

"I understand he doesn't know," I snapped. "But that's not a reason to send out a search party." There was something he wasn't telling me. Nick and I hadn't spoken in a week. Justin and I had gone out apartment hunting three times, so why was he worried now that he didn't know where I was?

We were in the car and racing toward Nick's house within minutes. Justin swerved the car into the driveway, waving as he passed security. Nick was already standing on the porch when he parked the car.

"What the fuck?" Nick's footsteps thundered across the driveway, fists already clenched at his sides. Justin backpedaled, hands raised in surrender. "I can explain."

"Nick." The name caught in my throat as I wedged myself between them. My palm found his chest, his heart hammering beneath my touch like it had so many times before. But this wasn't like those other times—the barely contained fury in his eyes sent ice through my veins. What wasn't he telling me? "Stop it. Nick, please."

"Where have you been?" Nick's voice dropped to that dangerous whisper. "I had my entire team out searching for you."

I wrapped my arms around myself. "Why?"

Nick raked both hands through his hair, messing up his usually perfect style. "Olivia, where have you been?"

"She asked me to help her find an apartment." Justin stepped back, putting the car between himself and Nick.

His gaze swung between us like a pendulum. "No." He braced a hand against the hood of the car, as if the ground had shifted beneath him.

"Nick," I started.

"Olivia, we need to talk." Nick's fingers found mine—not a gentle grasp. "Inside."

Without looking back at Justin, he yanked his tie loose. "I'll see you at work tomorrow."

He guided me toward the house with the careful determination of someone handling fine china that might shatter.

"Sit down." Nick gestured to the couch where we'd spent countless movie nights, his hand trembling slightly. He pulled his phone from his pocket, thumb hovering over the screen. "I need to call and let them know you're home and safe." His shoes left scuff marks on the hardwood as he turned. "Please stay here." The 'please' caught in his throat, rough with something that sounded like fear.

Nick's footsteps faded into the kitchen, each step measured and controlled like when he was trying not to lose his temper. I melted into the leather couch, the speech I'd rehearsed a hundred times on my way home dissolved on my tongue like sugar in rain.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Pushing through the kitchen door, I blew out a heavy sigh, releasing all the tension and fear that had been mounting all day as I waited to find out if Olivia was safe. My phone vibrated in my hand.

I had stormed off to the kitchen not only to make my calls but to take a minute to collect myself and the wave of emotions consuming me.

My phone vibrated again, and I clicked the answer button.

I yanked the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

“Hey, it's Walker." A pause filled the line. "Did you find her?"

My shoulders dropped an inch. "Olivia is home and safe." I paced the kitchen's length. "Did you find Emmett?"

"Nick." Walker's voice had gone flat. "Emmett's been missing for a few days."

My fingers tightened on the phone. "Is he dead?"

Walker drew in a breath that crackled through the speaker. "If he wasn't..." His words trailed off. "He is now or will be shortly. His last chance was you paying them when they showed up at your house."

"I couldn't do it," I explained.

"Nick," he cut me off. "You did the right thing. What he did to Olivia was wrong, and she deserves to be safe."

"I have to tell Olivia the truth." I sighed. "Let me know if you find him, please."

“Will do.”

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