Page 117 of Rogue Villain

“Right, here’s what I’ve found.” The screen lights up when he taps a key, displaying a map of the offices of one Dr. Conn Tyrell.

“A pediatrician’s office?”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures, right?”

I nod slowly, still not connecting the dots.

“This map shows you the private offices of Dr. Tyrell, pediatrician to Lennon Porter’s baby daughter, Colbie.” He quirks a brow as his lips lift on one side. “The offices both Mr. and Mrs. Porter will be visiting tomorrow for Colbie’s six-week wellness check.”

“I’m still not getting it. It’sprivate, and I have no reason to be there—”

He cuts me off with a full-blown smirk. “I’ve paid off Tyrell’s secretary. She’s told him the appointment is postponed until 12:30 p.m. instead of the scheduled 11:45 a.m.”

“You’re a fucking genius, Holloway.”

The ache in my chest lessens at the thought of getting some answers at last. Of hopefully bringing Sara home to her daughter and giving something to the woman who owns me when all I’ve done is take, take, take.

* * *

WREN

“Come in, come in!”

Elodie greets me at the door of her apartment, pulling me into her embrace before drawing back to fix me with a concerned gaze. “What did the Cactus do now?”

I snort a pained laugh, moving farther inside to admit an uncomfortable-looking Jules.

“He didn’t do anything. I just need some time…to think, that’s all.”

Elodie smiles softly, knowing me long enough to know when I’m in avoidance mode, but giving me space, regardless.

“I’ve got popcorn and a big box of Whoppers with your name on them.” She moves toward her open-plan living area, indicating that Jules and I sit on the two huge couches that dwarf everything else.

“I do have to pop out for work in a little bit, but aside from that, I’m all yours, Wren.”

When I walk toward them, Jules stops me with a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I’m just…I’ll wait in the car for a while. Best I touch base with Ford anyway.”

I force a smile, weary down to my very bones, before I reach up and squeeze his hand reassuringly. “I told you, I’m not going anywhere. I’m safe here. You can go home and come back in—”

He cuts me off with a firm but sympathetic, “No. I stay with you. That’s the deal, kid.” Then he presses the familiar pager into my hands. “I’ll be downstairs.”

As he leaves, I lower myself into the couch with a deep sigh of relief. “Jesus, these couches are made of clouds. When did you get them?”

Elodie shrugs nonchalantly as she comes back into view. “Little while ago.”

She passes me a tall glass of iced tea, my beverage of choice. Once I’ve taken a sip, she sets it on the side table for me before returning to the kitchen. I can hear her turning on the microwave, her feet shuffling across the floor as she hums softly to herself.

My eyes feel heavy as I snuggle deeper into the couch of clouds, and before I realize it, my chin lands on my chest as I fall into a deep sleep filled with images of Vaughn’s sorrowful eyes.

When I wake, the apartment is shrouded in shadows from the city lights outside, and there’s no sign of Elodie, only a short note on the table by the door.

I’ll be back by 9 p.m.

Kisses, E

I check the clock on the wall, noting it’s almost ten. Shaking my head with a smile at how utterly predictable she is, I grab my cell from the handbag I’d dropped on the table when I arrived.

There are two texts and an email waiting.

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