Page 80 of Destroy a King (Five Kings 4)

Dexter

One week later

Somehow, we made it back, but I’m not sure I will ever shake the memory of what happened. The journey home is a silent one, as we all deal with it in our own way.

I’m pretty certain I’m not the only one who was shocked beyond belief by a wedding I will never forget and as I make my silent journey home, all I can think of is Holly.

I wanted to call her so many times, but phones are banned on Andromeda for a very good reason.

Now it’s the most important thing in my life right now to hold her in my arms and make it better.

As soon as we land, I take out my phone and turn it on for the first time in a week and, as expected, the messages take some time to come through.

I can’t begin to deal with them now and immediately look for the tracker to locate the only person I want to see right now and am happy to see she’s right where I left her.

The journey is short but still too long as I make my way to a woman who has surprised me. I want her. I think I even love her because for the first time since I lost my sister, I can see a future with someone. Holly. The woman I kidnapped, imprisoned, and made my slave. Now the tables have turned and none of that means shit anymore. I want a wife and I want it to be her.

I almost run into the apartment and call her name, hoping like crazy she’s not asleep already. I’m tired, emotional and weary and, for a man who likes to be in control, I’m losing it fast.

Opening every door in my penthouse, I am greeted with empty rooms and it doesn’t even look as if she’s slept here at all.

It’s only when I find the phone I gave her neatly stacked with the laptop and credit card, the penny drops. She’s gone. There isn’t even a note and there is not one trace left of the woman I have finally realized means more to me than anything.

Quickly, I call Sam.

“Holly’s gone, find her.”

“Have you checked her phone?”

“I’m not an idiot.”

“Just checking.”

He cuts the call and I feel the frustration tearing me up inside. She left. I can’t believe she actually did it. She left me.

I suppose, along with the shock of the past few days, this one hits me even harder. I was so certain she would be waiting for me. Welcome me home with open arms and happy tears as I pledge my undying love for her. That’s how messed up I am because this week has been an epiphany for me and I can’t believe she’s not here to share it.

I can’t concentrate on anything but her and completely ignore the messages that keep coming through. I check them in case its news of Holly, but angrily discard them if they’re not.

Sam calls and I seize the phone eagerly. “Have you found her?”

“The choppers on its way.”

Quickly, I race to the roof and see Sam already waiting and as the helicopter comes in to land, I wonder where she is. Media Corp perhaps, working to prove herself, I wouldn’t put it past her, but as we buckle up, Sam instructs the pilot to head for the Ranch.

On the way, he fills me in on what he knows and I just stare at him in horror as he shakes his head, looking worried.

I can’t even speak. I’m so shocked and yet I can only think of one thing I want right now and it’s feeling her in my arms.

Sam interrupts and says sympathetically, “Maisy left me a message to call her. I didn’t think it was urgent, so I parked it. I’m sorry.”

Scrolling through my own messages, I see several from her and Jason too and my heart sinks. Why am I such an idiot?

I open the first one and see the words dance before my eyes.

As soon as you land, make for the ranch.

She’s in a bad way, hurry.

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