Page 57 of Protective Phlox

“Wow, where are we?” Cutter was staring up at the flashing sign and the glittering lights in the trees that surrounded the place.

“We are at one of my businesses,” I said, helping him out and carrying him inside. The music was loud, and I swore under my breath. What if it was too noisy for him in here? I didn’t even make it to the office before I was surrounded by staff, all of them gushing over Cutter.

“That’s cool,” he said, pointing to the girls who were dancing from ribbons attached to the ceiling. “Dad, can I try?”

“Oh my god, he called you dad. That’s so cute I might cry,” Rita, one of my exotic dancers, said.

“Right? I never thought I’d hear that, and he looks so much like him,” Becky exclaimed.

“I’m standing right here,” I said, but everyone was talking at once, and Cutter was asking question after question.

“Boss?” I looked at Ivan and nodded.

“Rita, can you take Cutter to my office and keep an eye on him for me?”

“Sure, I’m happy to.”

“Can I help? My shift is done, and he’s adorable,” Becky offered.

“Sure, why not? Cutter, you go with Rita and Becky for a little bit while I do some work, okay?” He happily nodded as I handed him over.

Snapping my fingers, I pointed to Cutter, and all the guards followed the girls to my office.

“Alright, let’s do this. The sooner we get this done, the sooner I get my son out of here. If there’s a god, Savannah won’t ever find out about this little trip.”

SAVANNAH

“That’s strange,” I mumbled as Nathan’s phone went to voicemail for the third time.

“What?” Goran looked at me, his face showing his immediate concern.

“I can’t reach Nathan. That’s not like him.”

“I’ll see where he is.” Goran pulled out his phone. I could tell by the look on his face that he wasn’t concerned but seemed confused, which didn’t make me feel any better.

“Where is he?”

“Um…well….”

I held out my hand. “Give me the phone if you value your life, Goran. Whatever you’re afraid Nathan might do to you, remember you’re trapped in a car with me.”

“Heard.” He placed the phone in my palm and I stared at the glowing dot that said he was at Euphoria.

“It’s eleven o’clock. Why would Nathan be at Euphoria?” I looked up at Goran, and he held his hands up like he didn’t want me to shoot him.

“I have no idea, but I’m assuming work.”

I stared at the phone, my fingers tapping on my knee. On one hand, I was secure with how Nathan felt, but…there was always a but. My past experience made this more difficult. I didn’t want to be the jealous, insecure wife, and yet, why wasn’t he answering his phone? I closed my eyes and tried to shut out the memory of Shawn and all the pictures of the women—false or not—I’d seen Nathan with, but some insecurities were just harder to ignore.

“Do you want to go there,” Goran asked.

“Is it that obvious?”

He smirked. I sighed and nodded. Shit.

“Vlad, head to Euphoria,” Goran called to the front of the limo. “I don’t think he is doing anything with anyone else if that’s what you’re worried about.”

I glared at Goran. “I’d appreciate you getting the hell out of my head now.”