‘You’re shaking,’ Brock’s father says as his gaze moves down to my hands, which are clutched in my lap.
‘I just need to know he’s going to be okay,’ I cry, wiping the tears from my eyes.
‘Here, drink this. It will help calm you.’ I watch as he pours a small amount of amber liquid from the crystal decanter into two glasses.
Taking the glass he offers, I drink the liquid down in one gulp. I feel the burn as it slides down the back of my throat, but I welcome it. When I hand him back the glass, I notice his is untouched.
‘Please tell me what happened,’ I plead as my watery eyes meet his. I’m confused when I see a smile play at his lips. There’s nothing funny about this situation. Doesn’t he care about his son?
Panic rises within me as a woozy feeling spreads throughout my body. A tightness stretches across my chest and my breathing becomes laboured. I try to move but my arms and legs are heavy and weighted. I open my mouth to ask what’s happening to me, but the words come out slurred. Everything feels fuzzy. I’ve been slightly drunk before, but it’s never felt like this and certainly not from just one drink.
I hear Brock’s father laugh beside me. ‘You stupid, naive bitch.’
I attempt to turn my head in his direction, but I can’t seem to make it move. This man is worse than I thought. My eyes begin to droop as I struggle to keep them open. I feel like I’m slipping into unconsciousness. I try to call out to Brock, but I can’t. Nothing comes out except a strangled sound.
Just as my eyes are closing, the partition in the limousine lowers.
‘Hello, my dear,’ M says. ‘I knew when the timing was right, I’d get you back. You’re going to regret the day you tried to run from me.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
BROCK
The meeting goes longer than anticipated. I’m on edge the whole time, constantly looking down at my watch. The thought of Jade being home alone makes me uneasy. I should’ve brought her with me. I’ve had no word from her so I presume all is okay. Nevertheless, I’m busting to get home.
The second I’m out of that office I’m dialling her number. I’m concerned when she doesn’t answer, but not alarmed. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation. When I try another three times and she doesn’t pick up, I start to panic.
I continuously call on my drive home, but nothing. I find myself driving a little more recklessly than usual, weaving in and out of traffic. The uneasy feeling in my gut has me desperate to get to her. I’m hoping it’s just my overactive imagination, but something is telling me it’s not. The longer I’m delayed in city traffic, the more agitated I become. Why isn’t she fucking picking up? I told her to keep her phone on her at all times. I bang my hand against the steering wheel in frustration when again there’s no answer.
I finally pull into my driveway, screeching to a stop at the front of the house. Taking the stairs two at time, I bash on the front door, calling out her name, while frantically fishing my keys out of my pocket.
‘Jade!’ I scream loudly when I enter the house. My place is so huge, she could be fucking anywhere. When there’s no reply I head to the kitchen, since it seems to be her favourite place. The food for dinner sitting covered on the countertop somewhat calms me. She has to be in the house somewhere. I have a good mind to throw her over my knee and spank that sweet arse of hers for not following my orders.
I check the gym while I’m downstairs, but again, there’s no sign of her. My adrenaline rises as I take the main stairs two at a time. ‘Jade,’ I call, praying she’s soaking in a bath or in the shower and unable to hear me.
When I find the bedroom and bathroom empty, I start to panic again. I call out her name a few more times as I rush back down the stairs and head towards the back deck. She isn’t in the pool either.
Where the fuck is she? Pulling my phone out of my pocket, my trembling hands dial her number. When there is still no answer, I feel like I’m going to throw up. Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong.
I spend the next thirty minutes searching every inch of my house and surrounding grounds. She’s nowhere to be seen. I’m fucking beside myself by this point. I spoke with Josh twenty minutes ago and he hasn’t heard from her. He’s on his way over. I’m grateful because I’m going out of my mind. Surely she wouldn’t just up and leave without telling me? What if M has her? Jesus.
After trying her phone for the umpteenth time, I decide to give Rupert a call.
‘Rupert,’ I blurt as soon as he picks up. ‘Jade’s gone, have you heard from her?’