Page 31 of Her Billionaire Hero
I looked back to find Delia, but I couldn’t see her anymore. The smoke began to choke me as I was dragged away. The crowd around me made it impossible for me to fight or even hold my ground.
Suddenly, we were standing by a car. Finally I saw who had me. Preston opened the passenger door. “Get in.” He shoved me inside then slammed the door.
I tried to open it, pulling the handle, but it wouldn’t open. He’d done something to it to keep me from getting out. And that meant he’d planned this whole thing—probably even the fire.
My whole body trembled as he got into the car. “Preston, don’t do this.”
“I’m sorry it has to be this way. I knew you wouldn’t come with me on your own.”
“You set this place on fire, Preston,” I shouted at him. “Someone might get hurt, or even worse!”
“I had to smoke you out, Sloan. It’ll be fine. You’ll see. Everyone will be fine.” He took off, tires squealing as he left the parking lot. “See, I’ve found out who killed your mother.”
That didn’t matter to me at that moment. “So what? And why all the damn drama? Tell the cops what you know and leave me the hell out of it.”
“No. I’m not involving them. They won’t believe me anyway.”
You’re right about that, because I don’t believe you either.
Chapter Seventeen
Baldwyn
I pulled my cell out of my pocket before I got into the truck. I wanted to hear Sloan’s voice. I’d been a bit anxious all day. But the flight home had turned up the anxiety for some reason. Speaking to her would help.
It rang once, twice, three times and then to voicemail it went. “Shit.”
I texted her that I would be home soon and she should start heading that way. My heart pounded in my chest as the anxiety level rose. Carl had been working closely with her, so I called him to see if things were okay.
“Hey, boss.”
“Hey, Carl. I’m just calling to see how the workday went for you guys.” I hoped I didn’t sound worried.
“It went fine. How’d your trip go?”
“Fine.” I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to ask him, but came up with something. “Was Sloan okay today?”
“Yeah,” he said with a little chuckle. “You can’t get a hold of her or what?”
“I called her, but it went to voicemail. I’ve been worried about her. She’s got a crazy ex that’s been bothering her lately.” I knew she didn’t want her personal business broadcast, but I felt like I had no choice but to tell Carl why I was worried. “No one came up there, right?”
“Nah. She left around six,” he told me. “I think she said something about grabbing pizza and going to see an old friend.”
“Yeah, she was supposed to do that.” I could just go by her old place on my way home, since she wasn’t answering the phone. “Thanks, Carl. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye, boss.”
I tried to call her again as I headed to the south side of Austin. Once again it went to voicemail. My entire body tingled with adrenaline as my heart raced. There was no reason good enough for her not to be answering my calls. She had to know that I’d been worried about her. It wasn’t like Sloan to leave me hanging either. She’d never done that before, so why would she do it now?
The name of her old place was the Heights. I’d never been there but she’d told me about it. Her black MKZ would let me know if she was there or not. But as I got closer to the place, I saw lights flashing in the early evening darkness. “What the hell is going on?”
It looked like there had been a fire. My heart nearly burst from my chest. Firetrucks were wrapping things up, people meandered around, and behind all that, I caught a glimpse of a black car that I thought might be Sloan’s.
Parking my truck outside the entrance, I got out and walked into the crammed parking lot. “Do you live here?” one of the firemen asked me.
“No. My girlfriend is supposed to be here though. And she’s not answering my calls. Were there any injuries?” I held my breath, praying Sloan hadn’t been hurt.
“No injuries. A few people were treated for smoke inhalation, but nothing major,” he said. “They were taken to South Austin Medical Center. Maybe she’s there.”
