Page 182 of Destined Lovers

“What the hell are you doing?” I scream in Danny’s face as he cuts me off a few blocks up. I sidestep him, only to have Max block me, Brody flanking him on the other side.

Now that I’ve stopped, I can barely catch my breath.I’ll never get to her now.

Feck that. I’m not a quitter. I stand tall and push Danny out of the way. Adrenaline is pumping through my veins to get me through this.

“What the fuck, Declan?” Max grabs my arms, and I try to break his grip. I would have too if it weren’t for the other two, surrounding me again.

They don’t understand, I promised her!

My chest is heaving, and I continue trying to break free. “Let me go! I need to get to my Nora. Why aren’t any of you doing your job and protecting her?” I roar.

“Declan,” Max calmly says my name. “Look up. The car is long gone. We will never find her like this, my friend.”

Finally, my arm breaks free, and I push him hard in the chest, causing him to stumble back. “You are not my fecking friend, I paid you to protect her, and you failed!”

“Enough!” Jameson bellows as he steps in front of my face.

I point a shaky finger into his chest. “She trusted you, you know. You were her favorite. She thought you would keep her safe too.”

He flinches at my words, knowing it’s true. We all failed her.

“Declan, you know that was an impossible situation. Nora ran out of the car too fast. It wouldn’t have mattered if she had fifty more guards. The same outcome would have taken place. Now, we must get home, get our shit together, and start working to find your girl. Do you hear me? I’ve already been on the phone with Ethan, he’s already looking into it.”

I nod silently, not wanting to admit it, yet knowing he’s right.

Gulping down my fears, I look up at Max and Danny and give them an apology nod, suddenly too overwhelmed to talk. They both smile sadly and nod back, knowing I didn’t mean to put my hands on them or speak hurtful words. It was the heat of the moment, and deep down, I know they all care for Nora greatly and would never let anything happen unless it was truly out of their hands.

Like today.

And now, we will all have to live with the guilt that someone we love and care for is God knows where, alone, kidnapped by someone she trusted.

Rubbing my chest to alleviate the pain, I announce I’m ready to leave and walk back toward the cars. The longer we stand here to think and talk about it, the better the chance I have to break down as the adrenaline wears off. Nora deserves better than that.

Three Days Later

There’s been no news, no sightings, no contact.

Three days without my love. I have no more information than I did when she was taken from right in front of my eyes.

I have little hope right now, and I hate myself for it. I know I need to be strong like Nora, how she held on hope for over ten years. I’m trying to be, but I’m crumbling with each day that passes.

I keep wondering…is she hurt? Is she alive? And most of all, why? After more than a decade of friendship, why would Bennett do this?

If we don’t find her soon, my life, as we know it, is over. I won’t survive this. I’m barely surviving now.

I don’t talk to anyone. I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. Every time I close my eyes, the same nightmare plays on repeat—Nora’s frightened stare, begging me to help her, but I can’t reach her. I never make it to her.

Then I remember it’s not a nightmare, and I have failed her.

Fear and anger knot my stomach, and I drop my head in my hands, letting the tears fallagainbecause even thinking about it has me sick to my stomach.

I miss her so much.

I don’t care that there is a house full of people I barely know trying to find her. I don’t care that I’m useless in helping.

I want her back in my arms, snuggling close to my chest, tracing the tattoo I have for her, and running her hands through my hair. Every night since she was taken, I walk into our bedroom, smell all her perfumes, and stare at her paintings.

How will I live with that around me day in and day out if she doesn’t come home to me?

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