Prince Player(166)

Clearly, I’m not getting anywhere trying to contact her through traditional methods. I’m betting her family has her on lockdown. My current theory is that she got caught coming home that night, but didn’t know it until the next morning, after she texted me. That’s when she disappeared. Her family hates me so much that maybe they sent her away, out to a convent or some shit like that. The Tillmans have enough money to make their daughter disappear.

Which is actually terrifying. But fortunately, I have enough money to make her reappear, I just have to figure out how.

Chuck thinks that’s a bad idea. He thinks I should just swallow my own medicine and move on. But he never really thought this thing was a good idea to begin with.

He’s afraid of the Tillman family, and for good reason. They practically own this city, or at least have politicians in their pocket. If they wanted to go after my business, they absolutely could. Their businesses are strong and deep, and they have a lot of ties in the community. They could hurt me if they really wanted to.

I just can’t worry about that stuff. I’ve been through so much in my life that I can’t imagine letting some rich assholes push me around. Besides, I know Sadie wants me, it’s her piece of shit family that’s holding everything back.

“I get where you’re coming from,” I say to him eventually. “I really do. Maybe from your perspective, she’s not worth all this.” I pause and then look up at him. “But man, when was the last time you saw me give a shit?”

He looks at me, eyes narrowed. “I don’t know,” he admits finally.

“I haven’t given a shit about much of anything in a while. Business is booming and I have pretty much no problems.” I shake my head slowly. “And yet, I haven’t been happy.”

“I’ve noticed that,” Chuck admits.

“Women, money, it all comes easily to me. But Sadie, she’s different. I don’t know what it is, but I feel something around her.”

“But she’s gone,” Chuck says, still frowning.

“Maybe,” I admit. “But if she’s worth all this, at least to me, shouldn’t I pursue it?”

He sighs and shakes his head. “I don’t know, man. For me, it’s not worth any of this, but what do I know? I’m just a single asshole.”

I grin at him. “You’re definitely an asshole. I’m just saying, I can’t give up so easily.”

“All right. If that’s what you want, obviously I got your back.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Now, let’s talk about something that’s not so fucking boring,” he says, a big grin on his face.

I agree, and we change the subject easily. We have a decent lunch, Chuck grabs the check, and I decide to head back home.

I keep thinking about Sadie as my driver drops me off at my apartment. Once inside, I check my messages and my email, but there’s nothing from her of course.

I need to figure out what to do about this. So far, the only thing I can think of is to hire a private investigator and have him track her down. Maybe that way, he can get a message to her in a way that I can’t.

But I don’t know any PIs, and I’m not sure there are many that will be willing to go up against the Tillman family. I’m sure if there’s a PI out there worth his salt, he’ll know all about the Tillmans and be smart enough to stay away.

Still, I have to try, and so I end up spending the next couple hours making phone calls, trying to track down someone who’s willing to help out.

I almost don’t hear the knock at my door. I’m so consumed with finding a PI that I nearly totally ignore the knock. Only when it comes a second time do I finally snap out of my trance and quickly head to my front door.

I pause for a second before opening it. I don’t know who to expect, but I’m tired and impatient. It’s probably just the doorman with my packages or something.

I don’t expect to see Sadie standing on my doorstep, looking out of breath.

“Hey,” she says.

I stare at her. “Sadie.”

She smiles. “I’m sorry I haven’t called.”

“It’s okay.” I step aside. “Come inside.”

“Okay. Just for a minute.” She steps into my hallway and I shut the door behind her. She looks gorgeous, so goddamn attractive, just like I remembered.

“Where have you been?” I ask her.

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disappear. It’s just, I got caught after the last time I saw you.”

Of course. I step toward her and take her hips, pulling her against me. She wraps her arms around my neck and I kiss her deeply, feeling so fucking relieved.