The Dragon Billionaire's Secret Mate(22)

No. He could feel it, an instinctive knowledge deeper than thought: his mate was in danger.

An icy shudder ran down his back. Severin.

But surely even Severin wouldn't go so far as to do anything to Theresa. Sure, he'd driven Samuel's dates away before, with tricks and lies, but physically hurting anyone…

But he would, if he thought Vivienne was in danger. Finding his mate would give Samuel the strength he needed to finally go up against Severin and fight for the position of alpha. Did Severin really think he'd hurt Vivienne? Sure, in some clans things like that happened, even now: the victor in a duel killing the previous alpha's mate, to make sure they'd never be a danger again. But Severin had to know that Samuel would never…

But Severin hadn't really known Samuel for a long time. They'd grown so far apart… Who knew what Severin might think he'd do? And if Samuel thought Vivienne was in danger, there'd be nothing he wouldn't do.

The truth hit him like a shock of ice water. Severin must have taken Theresa. He must have been planning this from the second he realized what she was to Samuel.

Severin wouldn't do anything to her here, not inside the limits of the city. Samuel knew where Severin would take her. Their place out in Du Page county, a few acres of land bordered by a dense patch of forest, where no one—Samuel flinched, but made himself finish the thought—where no one would ever find a body.

Samuel pelted down the stairs towards the parking garage. They'd come by taxi, but he needed a car. A fast car.

There was a group of chauffeurs sitting by the entrance to the garage, smoking and chatting.

"Mr. Ashbel, is everything okay?" one of them called.

Samuel recognized him. Gregor, who'd been his driver a few times before when he'd rented a car for the night. Samuel pulled his wallet out of his pocket, took all the bills out and shoved them into Gregor's hand. He yanked off the Rolex on his wrist and handed that over, too.

"I need to borrow your car."

Gregor stared at him, wide-eyed. "Sir, um—I'd love to, but I'm gonna get fired!"

"You'll have a job with Aurum for the rest of your life," Samuel said. "Or—I'll write you a check, you'll never have to work again at all. I need the car."

His desperation must have come across. Gregor nodded slowly, looking at Samuel warily, as if he might snap at any second. He might, Samuel realized. If Gregor didn't hand over those keys—there was a chunk of concrete on the floor in that corner over there. He could smash in a window, try and hotwire the car.

He had no idea how to hotwire a car.

His mate was out there, and she needed him. He'd find a way.

"All right," Gregor said. He held out the key.

"Thank you. Thank you so much," Samuel said.

He peeled out of the garage with screeching tires, slowed down at the intersection just long enough to make sure no one was coming, and floored it through the red light. His breath came in panting gasps. He was braced against the steering wheel as if he could physically make the car go faster. If he didn't make it in time—

Theresa, he thought. Hang on. I'm coming.



***



Theresa woke up muddled and confused, her head aching fiercely. It was dark when she opened her eyes. She could see the stars above her. It took her a moment to realize what was wrong with this picture.

She'd been at the ball, with Samuel. A pang stabbed through her at the memory of what had happened. She'd run away, that was the last thing she remembered. How had she gotten here? Those weren't city stars, washed out by the reflected glow of a million lights; this was the crisp, bright night sky you only got out in the country. They weren't in Chicago anymore.

Theresa looked around frantically. She was lying on something that crinkled when she moved—a tarp, she realized, spread out on the ground in the middle of a field. She could see a forest in the distance. A car was parked a few feet away. Samuel's brother was crouching beside her, still in his perfectly tailored tux. Samuel himself was nowhere to be seen.

"Finally awake?" Severin asked.

"Where am I? What happened?" Theresa twisted her head around. There wasn't anyone else around. She was alone with Severin. Her head swam up when she pushed herself up to sit.

"We're in Du Page County," Severin said. "That was a clever trick the two of you came up with. I almost didn't realize until it was too late. But then I guess Samuel didn't realize it himself, or he wouldn't have flaunted it at the ball."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Theresa asked.

"I'm talking about you and your bondmate," Severin said.

Theresa blinked at him." I seriously have no idea what you're talking about, but this is creeping me out. Can you please just take me back to the city? Or at least tell me where I can find a phone?" Her handbag was gone, her cell phone with it.