Page 20 of Sleepless Pact

“She was picked up,” he says, his voice solemn.

“What?”

“The doorman said he saw her run out before he could stop her.There were two men waiting in a van nearby, and they grabbed her.”

This is my worst nightmare.Someone has taken Audrey from me, and I don’t know what the hell they’re going to do to her.My beautiful girl is gone, and terror like I’ve never felt before threatens to choke me.

“I want to talk to her mother,” I manage to say, and David looks puzzled.

“You heard her on the news report.She’s dangerous.Maybe you should just let this one go.”He’s so disconnected from what I’m feeling right now that I’m wondering if I’m the one that’s crazy.

“Get me her address or find other employment.Do you understand me?”I say through clenched teeth, and David eventually nods.

“Yes, sir.”He pulls out his phone and begins to tap the screen.“As soon as I have it, we’ll leave.”

My feet are heavy as I drag myself back to the elevator and take it to the penthouse.All I’m able to do is think about Audrey and where she is right now and if she’s okay.My mind races with the possibilities that she’s afraid and much, much worse.If whoever took her puts one finger on her, I’ll remove it from their body.

There is no end to the vengeance I’ll rain down, and I’ve got the connections to make that happen.In fact, I send a quick message to some of my underground connections to put them on standby if I need some backup.They know I pay well for services rendered, and this might be a job that stays quiet.

Walking back into the penthouse feels like a nightmare when I see the empty jewelry boxes scattered on the floor from where we made love.She should be here and in my arms.

Then I see the news report cycling though again, and it’s Audrey’s mother pleading for her safe return.Something about this doesn’t sit right.Maybe my judgment is clouded by my need for her, but if her mother was so loving and kind, then why would Audrey run to begin with?Even if she’s as dangerous as her mother is claiming her to be, then why wasn’t she under someone’s care?

Surely when she was at the hospital, they would have some kind of medical records on her.They had all of her information thanks to her ID, and I had them run every test possible.They would have found drugs in her system or previous treatments when she was there previously.

Watching the new report over and over only leads me to think that if there is something wrong with Audrey, then I’ll help her get better.She doesn’t need to go back to a place where she feels afraid and obviously doesn’t want to be.My soul is connected to hers and although we haven’t been together long, I know I can protect her.She wasn’t scared to be with me; she ran because she was afraid I might send her back to her mother.

Nothing and no one will take Audrey from my side ever again, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get her back.Including talking to her mother.

The hours go by like days as I pace the living room.There are no updates from David, and the more time that passes, the sicker I am to my stomach.

It’s the worst night of my life as I sit alone in my living room, but when the sun rises, good news comes with it.

“Mr.Howard!”David calls out as he rushes off the elevator.“We’ve located her.”

“Where is she?”I’m out of my chair, and although my legs are numb, I ignore the ache as we take the elevator down to the lobby.

“We believe she’s been taken back to her mother’s home.The mother has agreed to speak with us based on a few conditions.”

“Wait, you believe she’s there?What if she’s not?”My mind is racing with the possibilities.

“It’s our only chance to get the information if she isn't there,” David says, and I nod, knowing he’s right.

I send a quick text to my underground contacts as my emergency backup.One way or another, I’m going to get answers.

ChapterFifteen

AUDREY

“Audrey, wake up,” my mother tells me, and I groan as my head pounds.It always does after one of her sedation shots.When she keeps shaking me, I wake up and face her even though that’s the last thing I want to do.

I’m not surprised I’m home.It was just a matter of time, and I only have myself to blame.I knew I needed to get out of the state, but I made the choice to stay with Phillip.

The second I saw Gary step out of the van, I knew I was done for.He’s been my mother’s gardener for over a decade, and he does anything she asks of him.I’m pretty sure they have a thing on the side that she tries to keep hidden.

It’s hard to hide anything around here even while living on a big estate.There’s only so much you can do before boredom sets in.I often crept around the estate to see how sneaky I could be.I was always looking for a way out, but more often than not, I’d overhear things.

“How much did you give her?”my mother hisses.She might be mad at me, but I can hear the worry in her voice.She loves me in her own way, but it’s to the point that she won’t let me go.I think she might be crazy too.

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