Page 178 of Innocent Intentions

“I know you pissed them off by taking me.”

“You don’t have a connection to the Syndicate. We researched you. You’re lying,” he hisses, but there’s unease in his eyes.

“I’m Matthias Montclair’s fiancée.”

His gaze flicks to my bare ring finger, then back to my eyes and he raises a brow.

“The ring didn’t go with my gown.”

“That’s your story? The mafia CEO has chosen to marry the finance girl and is sending the Syndicate to rescue her?” His voice drips with disbelief, but I see it. I see his worry.

“It’s the truth. They saved me from the attackers.”

“Take her back to her cell,” he snaps. “She can come out when she’s ready to be honest. And if that doesn’t work… maybe she needs a visit to the docks.” His face and voice are so dark, I don’t even recognize the handsome man from minutes ago.

The mention of the ‘docks’ makes my blood run cold. I don’t know what goes on there, but I know I don’t want to find out.

“It hasnotbeen a pleasure meeting you,” I spit over my shoulder as I’m dragged away.

He chuckles darkly.

I send up a silent prayer.

Please, let my bluff be true.

Please, come for me, Matty.

Chapter 79

Matthias

I walk into my office, and Benny perks up. He trots over to meet me at the door, head craning to look past me searching for Margot. Nose lifted, he sniffs the air, trying to catch her scent.

But he won’t.

She’s not here.

She hasn’t been here for days.

It’s been so long, I can’t even smell her on our sheets anymore. I stopped visiting our room shortly after. I hadn’t been sleeping there anyway. I couldn’t stand lying there, not knowing what she’s enduring, only knowing it’s bad.

Benny lets out a low whine. His tail drops as he slinks back to his bed and curls into a tight ball. He’s been just as wrecked by her disappearance. He refuses to sleep alone. He stays in my office with me, at my feet.

Neither of us can stand the silence.

The house is too quiet without her. It used to echo with her laughter. Loud, wild, and free. The kind that filled a room andpulled you in, whether you wanted to be a part of it or not. She’d throw her head back with bright eyes and body shaking.

I could never stop myself from joining in. Even when I didn’t get the joke. Even when I was pissed. I’d end up laughing too. Just because she was.

Now there’s nothing. No sound. No warmth. No security feed to check. I can’t see her. I can’t hear her. I don’t even have that.

Just silence.

And I swear to God, I’d burn the world down just to hear the sound again.

I can hardly look at him. His eyes are too knowing, too full of a grief I caused. He misses her. I can see it. I can feel it. If he knew who took her, he’d tear me apart. I’ll let him if…

Don’t go there.

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