Page 25 of Submitting to Them
“Yes, I’m aware of those.”He sits back in his rickety desk chair and sighs.“There’re too many possibilities.I’d like to rule out any connections to Tyler Analytics, but given recent events, I don’t think it’s safe to rule out this kidnapping being connected to your company somehow.Does Ms.Wayfield possess privileged information?”
“She knows details about a few specific accounts,” I say.“Her passwords can lead to more sensitive information, but we have extra safeguards in place to protect that info.”
Baldwin purses his lips and nods before typing what I assume must be notes into his computer.“Okay.Thank you for your time, Mr.Tyler.”
“Of course.I’ll do whatever I can to help you find her.Call me anytime.”
“I appreciate that.And if you don’t mind me making a suggestion.In case you haven’t already considered it, you may want to increase your security measures.”
“I was already working on that,” I say, “but I appreciate the recommendation nonetheless.”
I leave the police station and drive to the Ironwood building.There, Ryder is arriving at the same time I am.He shakes my hand in greeting.
“Jaxon’s upstairs,” he says, leading me through the security lines and to an elevator which requires an access code.We have similar measures in the Tyler building.I wonder what recommendations Jaxon and Ryder are going to have for me.
Shit.I can’t believe Kristin was fuckingkidnapped.
We get into Jaxon’s office.Jaxon strides forward and shakes my hand before gesturing us toward a more comfortable seating area.He’s holding a tablet and clicks some buttons to illuminate a screen nearby.Immediately, a rough blueprint of the Tyler building comes up.
They take me floor-by-floor through the different ways they can improve security, and how much it’ll cost.
“We also have a private investigation department,” Ryder adds after I’ve agreed to hire Ironwood.“We can look into the kidnapping if you’d like us to handle that as well.”
“I would,” I say, relieved.“I want her found and returned to her life.”
Ryder gives me a grim smile.“Good.I’ve already called in the team and they’ve gotten started.”
I like these guys.They’re more than competent, and while I am hopeful that Detective Baldwin and the SEPD can find Kristin, I feel better knowing that I’m taking extra steps toward that goal.
Sebastian
Kingston can’t seem to catch a fucking break.He’s been working around the clock with the police department and with Ironwood Security, as well as the Tyler Analytics security team, to try to find his colleague.
Ella has stayed at Kingston’s place the first night that Kristin was kidnapped, and with me last night.Is it crazy that I don’t want her sleeping alone, in her apartment, when Kristin is missing?Like, if someone could snatch Kristin out of nowhere on a crowded, well-traveled street, how can Ella be safe?
Which is why, when Ella asks me to come with her to the practice room on campus, I say fuck yes, and insist on picking her up and taking her there.My driver, Kellan, gets us as close as possible, then Ella and I walk to the building, holding hands.
Ella plays around, singing, playing, jotting down lyrics and chords in a notebook.I close my eyes and relax in a chair in the corner, just absorbing her joy and enthusiasm.
“Are you sure you’re not annoyed by all this?”she asks for the third time.
I crack open an eye to glare at her.“I’m sure.This is fucking heaven, princess.Listening to you have a good time, witnessing the creation of your music.There is nothing more peaceful than this, right here with you.Relax, okay?I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be.”
“Okay, okay,” she says.“If you’re so sure.I want you to listen to this one.I think it’s done.At least, I can’t figure out what else I would do to change it.”
She plays the song she’d played for me before, and there’s an additional verse.
Your breath is my breath
I tug you in, push you out
You nurture me, protect me
But if I hold too tight you poison me
And then we breathe
After the final chord fades and she lifts her fingers from the keyboard, I stand up and clap.“That’s absolutely beautiful, Ella.I can’t think of anything I’d change, either.”
