Page 97 of Papers Don't Lie
Fuck him.
Gaining the whole power in the world, I gently remove my hand from his hold and stand up, the chair creaking under me. “Excuse me," I say, throwing the napkin onto the empty plate and not waiting for his approval as I walk to the bathroom.
When I enter the room, I almost knock a woman down on her feet from how hard I open the door.
“I’m so sorry.” I give her an apologetic smile, and she returns it, shaking her head at me.
With shaky hands, I open my purse and quickly grab my phone, texting Raven to check if she can talk. Going through this is easier with her by my side rather than doing it alone. She keeps reassuring me things will be fine, but I’m afraid to believe her.
The moment she replies, I dial her number.
“Rave?” I say as soon as she answers the call.
“Did something happen?” she asks, urgency in her voice.
“No," I lie, supporting myself on one of the sinks. “Just the usual.”
She sighs into the speaker. “What did he do this time?"
“Nothing,” I lie again, shaking my head at myself in the mirror, noticing how thin my face is.
“Esme, I know that voice. Tell me what happened,” she demands.
“He… I…” I try, but the words don’t want to come out. “The basement,” I whisper and hang up the phone, tears swimming down my cheeks as I look at the window through the mirror in front of me.
What if I run now? I’ll get a great start.
He’ll find you.
But what if this is my only chance?
You don’t even know England.
If I don’t run now, I might regret it my entire life.
A door swings open, and a woman steps out, approaching the sink next to me, and I immediately wipe the tears off my face, straightening my back before giving her a small smile.
When I exit the bathroom, I lock my eyes on the open window.
FIFTY-THREE
KAI
Fifteen days.
Fifteen days that she’s been gone.
It’s like the world swallowed her and I stand no chance to find her. My wife. I don’t care about what the papers say. Esmeray was and still is my wife, and until I get her back, I won’t stop looking for her.
I talked to her family, and they refused to tell me anything. I’m saying "refused" because I’m certain they know where she is, but Carter has done a great job at keeping their mouths shut.
“Raven,” I murmur to myself, scratching at my beard.
“What?" Tristan frowns, not understanding what I said.
I get up to my feet, not believing how stupid I am. I had men search for her in all one hundred and twenty-seven properties and she’s nowhere to be found, instead of looking for the answer right in front of my eyes.
“Raven is Esmeray’s sister,” I explain, putting a coat on. My brothers stand up, exchanging looks. “I’m an idiot. Why didn’t I think of it sooner? They are close, and it’s impossible she doesn’t know where they are.”