Page 70 of Little Did You Know

"She has a tracker on her phone." I pulled my phone back out of my pocket. Clicking on the 'Find my iPhone' app, I waited for Olivia's location to appear. Tapping my foot, I ran my finger over my jaw.No location found. How was that possible? Did Olivia turn her location off? Or did someone else turn it off?

My chest didn't just tighten—it collapsed, each heartbeat a reminder of how empty this house would be if something happened to her. Images flashed: Olivia's smile at breakfast last week, her laugh echoing down the hallway, her soft footsteps on the stairs at night. Then darker images crowded in, each one worse than the last. I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. My legs carried me to the front door, muscle memory reaching for keys I could barely feel in my trembling hands. The distance to the garage stretched like a nightmare—too far, too slow, every second another moment she might need me.

Ellis materialized in the doorway, his bulk filling the frame. "Sir." His planted feet spoke louder than words. "You should wait here for her."

I jangled my keys, trying to shoulder past. "You want me to sit here and wait for her to come back?" The wall of muscle didn't budge. "That's not going to happen. Get out of my way."

"Sir." Steel entered Ellis's voice, but there was something else there too—understanding, maybe even pity. His hand found the doorframe. "Every man I send to protect you is one less searching for her."

The keys bit deeper into my palm, metal teeth drawing blood I barely felt. He was right. Of course he was right. But being right didn't stop the acid from churning in my gut. I was one of the most powerful men in the city, and here I stood, reduced to nothing but waiting while the one person I needed to protect was out there somewhere. Waiting had never felt so much like drowning.

Ellis's expression softened, just barely. "I promise we will find her." The words carried the weight of every crisis we'd weathered together.

Fisting my hand through my hair, I walked into the living room, dropping my keys onto the coffee table.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled my phone back out and clicked on Hannah's name.Please be with her.

"Hello?" Hannah answered on the second ring. I took a deep breath to calm my voice.

"Hannah." I forced steadiness into my voice. "Is Olivia with you?"

"No, I haven't seen her today."

The ceiling swam above me as I dropped my head back, teeth finding my lower lip.

"I thought you picked her up this morning?" Hope bled out of each word.

"No." Hannah's voice sharpened with concern. "She called me last night and told me I didn't need to pick her up. She was taking the day off."

My fingers drummed against the desk, an uneven rhythm of growing dread. "If you talk to her, please tell her to call me."

I ended the call before Hannah could hear the fear creeping into my voice.

This didn't make any sense. Where was she? Why would she take the day off? Whatever was going on, she didn't want me to know about it.

Chapter Thirty-One

Asmile spread across my face as my gaze scanned the living room of the one-bedroom apartment one more time. I'd never truly lived on my own before, even though living with Emmett was equivalent to living alone.

"I think it's perfect." The words came out breathless, carrying the weight of possibility—of finally having a space that was truly mine.

Justin stood against the kitchen counter, his expression carefully neutral, but I recognized the hesitation in his stance. "What do you think?"

"Honestly, Olivia –" Justin pinched the bridge of his nose, a gesture so reminiscent of Nick that my stomach clenched. "I think you should talk to Nick before you make this kind of decision."

I blew out an exasperated sigh. I didn't want to talk to Nick. I didn't want him to feel suddenly guilty for not wanting me to live with him anymore. I wanted to make this situation easier for him. I was tired of being a burden to everyone. It was time for me to learn to live my own life. To become independent. "I don't know what happened, but I know he's not going to be happy about any of this."

"I know your loyalty lies with Nick." The guilt gnawed at my conscience even as I forced a smile. Every showing felt like a betrayal, but what choice did I have? "And I feel bad about asking you to do this, especially behind his back, but I don't know anyone else who could help me with a background in real estate."

"Olivia," he sighed. "I'm happy to help you if this is the decision that you and Nick made, but I don't think he's going to want you to move." He was right; Nick wouldn't want me to move, but it was out of obligation and not because he wanted me there. Emmett stayed because he was obligated to, and I'd worn out my welcome. Now he won't even answer my calls. I didn't want that to happen to Nick and me too. "If you like this apartment, let's talk to Nick, and if you still want to, we'll put a deposit down."

"Fair enough." I traced the crack in the kitchen tile, already planning where I'd put a welcome mat. Justin's phone chimed, and he pulled it from his pocket.

"Shit." Justin's phone nearly slipped from his fingers. He looked up, the color draining from his face. "Nick's going to punch me in the face again." I dug my nails into my palms. "Why, what's wrong?"

"Kat just texted me that Nick has his entire security team searching for you." He groaned.

"Why would he do that?" My fingers twisted the hem of my sweater, a nervous habit I thought I'd broken years ago.

---