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Page 38 of Throne of Scars (Lost Kings MC 20)

Last night had been special. She’d felt closer to Jude than she ever had with anyone. Finally acknowledging that she loved him had changed things. There was no longer any use in trying to distance herself. It wouldn’t help at all.

Losing Jude would break her, and nothing she could do would change that. So she might as well pour all of herself into the time she had remaining with him.

That thought propelled her to her feet. She went to the bathroom and rushed through her shower and dressing so she could head downstairs and find Jude.

Hopefully he could have a good day. Maybe even finish his book.

She reached the library first, sticking her head in to check. The room was empty, however. Still dark. Jude always opened the curtains first thing in the mornings, so he’d clearly not made it in here yet.

With a shrug, she kept walking until she’d reached the breakfast room.

Mr. Gregory was there, sipping a cup of coffee and reading a newspaper. He glanced up at her appearance.

“Good morning,” she said with a warm smile. “How are you this morning?”

“I’m not too bad.” He lowered his newspaper and returned her smile.

“Are you not going into the office this morning?”

“I’m working from home today. I’m going to try to do that more often for the next month or so.” His expression changed, and he cleared his throat.

She knew exactly what he was saying and why. He wanted to spend more time with Jude while he could. Swallowing down a swell of feeling, she murmured, “That’s great. Jude will be really glad. Have you seen him this morning?”

“He hasn’t made an appearance yet. I assumed he was sleeping in. He’s probably taking a long run. It’s cooler out this morning, so it’s a good day for it.”

“That’s probably what he’s doing.” She got herself a cup of coffee and some yogurt and fruit. She chatted with Mr. Gregory happily, asking him about his typical work schedule and how inconvenient it was to work from home rather than his office.

After a while, she started getting jittery, so she sent Jude a quick text message.You out running?

He didn’t take his phone with him on runs, but he wore a smartwatch, and if she texted him, he’d usually send her a brief reply on that.

She waited but there was no response.

It was only then that it occurred to her that something might be wrong.

After politely concluding her conversation with Mr. Gregory, she went back upstairs and checked the closet.

Jude’s running shoes were still there.

He had multiple pairs, but lately he’d been wearing the same ones, and they were set neatly side by side where they always were.

Frowning, she went into the bedroom and checked his nightstand. His phone wasn’t lying on the magnetic charger he used at night, so he must have it with him. She tapped out another message.Where are you?

She checked the bed, even under the covers, to make sure there wasn’t a scrawled note explaining his absence, but there was nothing.

Still more confused than anxious, she headed back downstairs to the library. She didn’t bother pulling the curtains, but even in the dim light she could see that Jude’s laptop was gone.

So was the charging cord.

He’d taken his phone and laptop with him.

Hurrying now, she ran down the hall to the opposite side of the house until she’d reached the door into the garage.

His car was gone too.

Her stomach churned.

It wasn’t a crisis. He must have woken up early and decided to get out of the house to write that last scene. Maybe he’d goneto a coffee shop or a breakfast place, hoping that a change of scenery would give him the momentum he needed to complete the book.


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