Page 49 of Deadly Scandals

Ashley

My phone beeped, and I grabbed it, grateful for the distraction from my intense conversation with Mia.

Mitch:I need you now. My daughter has been kidnapped. We are at Disney.

Holy shit. What the hell?

My heart raced impossibly fast. No. It couldn’t be.

Mitch’s text hit me deep in my soul. Sienna was missing. His daughter had been taken. Just like my sister.

This was one unfortunate coincidence I never wanted to share with another person.

My mouth became dry. I called his number, but his phone went straight to voicemail. I needed to get to him now.

Me: On my way. I’m so sorry. Stay strong. I’m sure you will find her.

But I wasn’t sure. I wasn’t sure about anything anymore. I didn’t know what was up and what was down. All I knew was that there was a little girl out there who was missing. And I would move heaven and earth to find her.

Mia stared at me with a rare sympathetic look on her face. “Ash, what’s happening—you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I didn’t want to fight with Mia anymore. Not now. Not today. I would put all my suspicions about her aside because I needed someone. And at the moment, she was the only person around.

“It’s Mitch. He texted me that Sienna has been kidnapped.”

Mia’s jaw dropped open. “What? Are you serious? From where? When?”

“Disneyland. I don’t know any of the details. I need to go to him.”

I paused. I hated to ask for help—hated even more whom I was asking for help from, but today I needed—Sienna needed—anyone I could get.

“Will you come with me?”

She nodded. “Of course I will.” She grabbed her own phone and then looked at me. “Can I bring Grant? I mean, this isn’t an official investigation. Mitch would want his buddy there. And having a SEAL around always helps.”

I disagreed with her last statement, but I still thought having Grant along was a good idea. And more importantly, Mia was right—Mitch would want Grant there. “Yes. Great idea. Invite Grant.”

“On it.”

I left the room to find our boss.

Agent Meeks was sitting in his office, sipping his coffee. A smug look graced his face. “So, are you two bonding?”

“Yes, we are. In fact, we request permission to leave and go to Orange County. There is an emergency. Our friend’s daughter has been kidnapped. I’m supposed to be on leave. I need to go up there. Mia has agreed to come with me.” And Grant, but I left that detail out.

Agent Meeks pursed his lip and glared at me. “The answer is no. I don’t want two NCIS agents interfering with a federal kidnapping investigation.”

Fuck this dude.

I crossed my arms. “I’m not asking you to go. I’m giving you the courtesy of telling you I’m going, and I’m taking Agent Carrion with me. I won’t interfere with the investigation. I’m going as a friend to the victim’s father. You can write me up if you like—I don’t care. I’m out.”

“Who is your friend? He wouldn’t be a Navy SEAL by any chance? Maybe one who was present at the base when Paul Thompson committed suicide?”

Guilty as charged. “Unfortunately, yes. The victim’s father is Navy SEAL Mitch Martinez.”

“And why are you friends with a Navy SEAL who you were actively investigating when you believed that Thompson was murdered?”

Friends? We’re fuck buddies. Mitch is a bear in bed, and I’m weak for his cock.