Page 81 of Wrecked By a Devil

“Come on,” I help her up from the stairs and walk her to the passenger side of my car.

“But aren’t we going to look for her?” She starts panicking again at the realization that we’re not starting our search on foot. I don’t want to tell her that if someone did take her, they’re far gone by now and we won’t find her friend on foot. She’s scared enough as it is.

“Of course we are, I’ll arrange everything with my brothers,” I explain, opening the door for her and watching her hesitate before getting in. Before I join her in the car, I call Elijah and quickly explain the situation. He promises to take care of it before I can join him.

“Did you call them?” Riley asks as I get behind the wheel. “Can your brothers help?”

“Yes, and yes,” I lean in, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Elijah is arranging the search as we speak. I have a meeting at the office that I cannot miss, so we’re headed there now…” She opens her mouth to say something, but I quickly add. “I’ll join him after the meeting.”

“So you’re going to the meeting now?” Her voice is weak and the vulnerability behind her eyes resembles that of a hunted animal. My fist clenches on the wheel, my blood boiling with pure rage. Iwant to make the person responsible for this pay. I want to make them regret the day that they were born.

“You’re coming with me.” My voice is steady when I speak.

She sighs, defeated. I have never seen her so lifeless, so vulnerable. The drive to the company is silent, neither of us saying a word. I walk her through the main entrance and straight to my office.

“You can wait here,” I lift her chin, forcing her eyes to meet mine. “I’ll be back as soon as the meeting is over. Until then, if you need anything, just call Nora. She’ll do anything you ask of her.”

“Even…”

“No,” I don’t have to hear that question to know that she was about to ask if she can join Elijah with the search. “Anything except letting you out.”

“So I’m basically your prisoner now.” I bet that she regrets saying those words almost immediately, but she doesn’t take them back.

“If that’s what it takes to make sure you’re safe.” My voice is cold and determined. I’m glad it’s working on Riley right now, even if the last thing I want is for her to be scared of me.

“Please find Mia…” Her eyes tear up all over again and with my free hand, I wipe the tear sliding down her cheek.

“I promised you I will and I’m a man who keeps his word, Riley,” I kiss the top of her head before letting go of her. I make sure to lock the office door behind me, at this rate I don’t trust anyone anymore.

“Nora,” I stop at my secretary’s desk before heading to the meeting room. “The safety and comfort of the girl that’s inside my office is essential. Make sure she gets everything she asks for and that no one even breathes near her.”

Nora nods. “Understood.” She. Doesn’t bat an eyelid.

“Good,” I turn to walk away, but I stop and turn around to face her when Nora calls out after me.

“Sir, I should warn you that the atmosphere in there isn’t ideal,” she explains quickly. “Mr. Malachi has been trying to keep things calm and friendly, but your business associates have tried to leave a few times already.”

“I see,” I clench my jaw. “Thank you for warning me.”

The moment I open the meeting room door, I’m met with angry stares from two of our guests. Malachi is seated at the head of the table, keeping the same put together look he always carries, but I know my brother enough to recognize the spark of fury behind his eyes.

“Gentlemen,” I say, glancing at the clock behind Malachi. The meeting is supposed to start in ten minutes. When the Russians arrive early, it’s never a good sign. They just want to rip off the band aid and be done with us as soon as possible.

“Kavanagh,” Dimitri, the head of the Volkov family, nods.

“Did my brother offer you a cup of coffee? Or perhaps you’re in the mood for something stronger?”

“He did,” Nikita Volkov says. “And we politely declined.”

“We’re short on time, so we just want to get straight to the point,” Dimitri leans forward, his elbows resting on the round table as he crosses his fingers. “We decided not to proceed with the contract.”

I clench my jaw, taking a deep breath before speaking again. “May I ask why?”

“The suspicion around your club,” Dimitri continues. “I’m sure you can understand why we prefer not to get involved with the Kavanaghs at this very moment.”

“And I’ve been trying to explain to the gentlemen here that it’s all just a big misunderstanding that we’re actively working on,” Malachi adds.

“Which we understand, but the decision has been made,” Dimitri is the first to get up, with his younger brother following.“If our paths cross again in the future when things are not as…” He pauses, searching for the right word. “Muddy, then maybe we’ll discuss working together.”