‘Tay,’ I croak out. ‘I need you.’
* * *
Theo
The house is cold and quiet, and I can’t bear it.
Not the silence.
Not Isla’s concerned gaze.
Not my conscience.
And definitely not my imagination that’s running wild with thoughts of Danny getting to her.
So I do the only thing I can: I get in the car and drive to London.
It’s the longest journey of my life.
And when I get there, I’m met with the very thing I was trying to outrun.
Emptiness.
Only here, it’s worse.
In Pembrokeshire, all trace of them was gone.
Here, in my apartment, they’re everywhere I look.
Lottie’s shoes scattered by the door. Her boxes of toys lined up against the wall. Colouring pencils still spread across the kitchen table. Her books. Her cups. Her joy.
And Sadie?—
I can smell her in the air. That faint trace of perfume I’d know anywhere.
Just like Danny…
I clench my fists, grind my teeth. No, not like Danny.Neverlike Danny.
My phone buzzes and I snatch it up. Hope against hope that it’s Sadie.
It’s not.
Axel
They’ve taken her to Taylor’s. She’s good. Meet me at Royal HQ.
Good? She’s not fucking good. Because I broke her. Me. Not Danny.Me.
Me
I’m not fit for company.
Axel
I’m not asking. 9pm. Else, I’m coming to you.
Me