Page 69 of Mistletoe Missus
“Who the hell are you? Where the fuck is my wife?” I grumbled in confusion.
I double-checked I had the right number. I did. This was Tinsley’s phone number, and it hadn’t magically changed within the past hour.
“I’m sorry there’s no easy way to say this...” the voice trailed off.
Heavy breathing mixed with commotion was in the background noise. There were sirens and people talking. My stomach crashed into my throat.
“Tell me what the fuck is going on. Please.” I held my breath for an entire two seconds and choked out. “Where’s my wife? Where is Tinsley Morgan?”
“There was an explosion,” he answered with dread in his voice.
“An explosion? Where? Is Tinsley okay?” I asked as I clenched my fist up against my mouth and tears bit at my eyes.
“I... I don’t know...” he answered with a stammer. “It... It happened at Morgan Estates. There was a limousine. At least, I think it was.”
Albert?
I never informed Albert to pick up Tinsley today. Albert drove me to work because she’d been wanting a break from him driving her around. She told me the convenience wasn’t necessary when she had her car to drive.
“The chauffeur. Is he okay?” I questioned.
He gulped. “No. He didn’t make it.”
I cursed and slammed my hand against the desk. Whoever was in that vehicle wasn’t Albert.Why the fuck was he there?
A thought hit me.
“My wife. Was she in the limousine?”
I held my breath.
“No.”
I exhaled a sigh of relief.
“The blast from the explosion must’ve hit her,” he added.
“Alive? Please tell me she’s alive?” I begged him with my forehead pressed into the palm of my hand and I leaned over my desk.
“Yes,” he responded.
The comfort that my wife was alive made my cheeks wet as I stood up and wiped the tears away. I heard voices coming closer in the background, and I knew where I needed to be. Immediately, I grabbed my jacket and sent Albert a text without a second thought.
“I’m on my way,” I informed him.
“No. Don’t come here. Paramedics are rushing her to the nearest hospital.”
I hung up.
I needed to get to Tinsley. Her injuries resulted from my faults, and I was the one to blame. I should never have left her alone or had bodyguards who followed her around the clock. These weren’t realistic options though, because I didn’t want her to get suspicious and know her life was in danger. But she had been at risk, and I damn well knew it.
My father had expressed the threat several times. I had been foolish enough to underestimate him, but my careless behavior was over. I wouldn’t make the same mistake a second time because my wife’s life depended on it.
I reached the elevator and punched the bottom button five times. The fucking thing never came, and I couldn’t wait amoment longer. I descended the stairs two steps at a time from the tenth floor and couldn’t stop as I rushed toward the main floor. Once I hit ground level, I hurried to the double doors, but the limousine wasn’t there yet.
I cursed out loud. Multiple people glanced at me, but I didn’t give a shit. I had to get to my wife. Now.
I dialed Albert and yelled into the phone. “Where the hell are you, Albert? I needed you here five seconds ago.”
