Page 7 of Gambit
“James, there’s a hit in your area. I need you on it, as I’m heading out to Columbia in a couple of hours.”
I shake my head. “Have to take a pass; something’s come up.”
He frowns that line between his brows deepening like a trench. “What could possibly be more important?”
“Eliza’s gone missing,” I interject, watching his face freeze over. Silence hangs heavy for a split second before he leans back in his chair, processing what I’ve just laid on him.
“Missing?” His voice is low, a growl that doesn’t bode well for anyone on the other end of his temper.
“We need to find her, fast.” My jaw sets firm, the urgency clawing at my insides.
Dad rubs his chin, clearly thrown off by the news. “How long?”
“Since last night.” My words come out clipped, all business.
“Are you sure she hasn’t just gone off to do something on her own?”
“No, it isn’t like that. There are circumstances… we know she was taken.”
“I see.”
“You can’t tell Damon. Not yet.” I lean forward. “Give us twenty-four hours to track her down.”
Dad’s eyes narrow on the screen, a sign he’s biting back his objections. “You know Damon will kill you if he gets wind of this.”
“I’m aware, which is why I need to go. We do this quietly; we do this right.” My voice is steady, but inside, I’m all coiled tension.
“Fine, twenty-four hours. But not a minute more. If she isn’t back by then, he needs to know. This is serious, James.” He doesn’t wait for my response, his image freezing for a moment before the call drops.
“No shit,” I murmur before something crashes, loud enough to send a jolt through me. Without a second thought, I’m moving, Dad forgotten, as I move swiftly toward the stairs.
Taking them slowly as I see the Entrance Hall crowded with people, I pause near the bottom and stand next to Rafe on the wide step.
“James,” he nods, face carved from stone.
“Rafe,” I acknowledge with a tight nod.
“You do know what a shitshow this is, don’t you?”
“Obviously.”
He snorts. “I like you, James. You don’t give anyone the runaround.”
“Why waste time?”
“Precisely. How did you boys manage to lose her?”
“Long story.”
“So, you aren’t shifting the blame?”
“If that was the purpose of your question, you will be disappointed. We lost her. End of story.”
“Hmm. Brought in some of the boys. They are the best trackers around. They’ll find her.”
“Trackers.” The tension that’s been winding tighter in my chest eases just a fraction.
“Best of the best. They’ll find Eliza. You know my boys don’t mess around.”
