Page 33 of King of Shadows

“Actually, I think maybe pizza.”

“Whatever you want, baby.”

“All right. I’ll see you later. Love you.”

“Love you too, baby.”

I stare at my phone for a moment. The feeling is still there. Something isn’t right. But she just told me she’s fine. I try to push the thought down, forcing myself to focus on the work waiting for me. I check a few reports, answer messages, make a couple of calls. Still there. I pick up my phone again and call her security detail.

“Everything okay?”

“Yes, sir. She’s fine. We have her in our line of sight. Her shift should be over soon, and we’ll be heading home shortly after.”

I close my eyes for a moment. “Keep me posted.”

I end the call. Everything’s fine. I walk around for another few minutes, trying to convince myself I’m being paranoid. Eventually, I give up. I grab my jacket and keys. If my instincts are telling me to go see my wife, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

I head out of my office and make my way to the hospital myself. I call Chloe’s bodyguard as I drive, intending to let him know I’m coming and that I’ll be taking my wife home myself.

The phone rings but he doesn’t answer. I frown and try again, no answer still. That isn’t normal. My men know better than to ignore my calls, especially when they’re responsible for Chloe’s safety.

I call another member of the security detail. Nothing. A cold feeling settles in my stomach. I immediately call Chloe, and she doesn’t answer either. The hair at the back of my neck stands. Something is wrong.

“Fuck.”

I press harder on the accelerator. I run through every possible explanation, but none of them make sense. Why aren’t her guards answering? Why isn’t Chloe answering? When I finally reach the hospital, I barely bring the car to a stop before something catches my eye.

Chloe. She’s being forced toward a black SUV. Two men have her between them. Vadim and his fucking son!

“CHLOE!”

I throw my door open and jump out, my gun already in my hand. But they’ve already gotten her inside the SUV. It pulls away before I can reach them.

“Fuck!”

I sprint back to my car, throw myself behind the wheel, and slam my foot down, and follow. I call Lev as I drive. “It’s Vadim. He took Chloe.”

“What? That fucking bastard.”

“They’re headed toward Nigel Avenue. I’m going after them. Get the men. Now.”

“On it.”

I end the call and keep my eyes locked on the SUV ahead. They weave through traffic, make sudden turns, and push the vehicle hard. I stay on their tail as they finally turn onto a deserted road.

I’ve faced men with guns pointed at my head. I’ve walked into situations knowing I might not walk out. I’ve never been this scared. If anything happens to her, I don’t know what I’ll have left. My life is tied to hers now.

“Hold on, baby,” I mutter. “Just hold on.”

Gunfire erupts, and bullets slam into my vehicle. The rounds don’t penetrate due to the armour. I’m close enough to shoot. But I can’t. Chloe is inside that fucking car. One bad shot and I could hit her. I need to be careful.

I wait for an opening, then slam my car into the back of the SUV. The impact sends both vehicles swerving, the SUV fishtails and spins across the road before slamming into a concrete wall. I hit the brakes hard, please let her be okay.

Before I can even get out, two vehicles come flying around the corner. My men. They screech to a stop behind me, and armed men spill out. Gunfire immediately erupts. I grab my weapon and return fire, careful to keep my shots away from the SUV.

Vadim steps out from behind the wreckage, firing alongside his men. I fire back. My men spread out, taking cover behind the vehicles as bullets tear through the air. Then Vadim’s son appears holding Chloe, his arm locked around her neck as he drags her backward, a gun is pressed against her head.

Everything inside me stops. “Drop your weapon!” he shouts.