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Rae
I’m still agitated from the conversation with Leni when I try calling Ash but get no answer.
So, I head directly to the hotel, speaking to the staff by the pool in case anyone found my bracelet.
No luck.
I head upstairs and quietly let myself into Ash’s suite with the key he insisted I keep in case something came up.
There’s no sign of the jewelry in the kitchen or living room or bathroom, the only spots I was in when I was here.
But something else is off.
Ash’s door is open a crack, but there’s no sound from within. Not even his light snoring. Alarm bells go off in my head.
I throw open the door of Ash’s room, see his stuff still there. No Ash. No Gavin. In fact, I don’t see anything to indicate anyone other than Ash has been sleeping in this room.
But on the bedside table…
There’s a collection of bags and pills.
No. Shit. Shit, shit. Has he been using the whole time?
I try Ash again. Still no answer.
Next, I hit a contact on speed dial.
“Harrison, it’s me,” I bite into the voicemail. “Ash is gone. Something’s wrong.”
I head downstairs and get into the car with my driver and security.
“Where to?” the driver asks.
That’s when I realize I have no idea.
“Where would he go?” I mutter, thinking back to the room. There were no suitcases. No shoes belonging to anyone but Ash.
I know what happened. “Where is Heaven’s Gate?”
“It’s difficult to get to.”
“I don’t care. We’re going.”
* * *
When we arrive, the driver stays in the car while security accompanies me through the pine forest to the secluded lookout. Tripping over roots, I second-guess this idea more than once.
“Ash!” I call through the dense brush.
I curse as I scrape my knee. Once I emerge from the trees, I find a hunched form sitting near the edge of the lookout.
I wave off security, motioning for them to stay back.
My racing pulse steadies a few beats as I approach him.
“It’s a hell of a view,” I comment.
Ash turns. “That’s why people come here. Americans. Brits. Everyone. They say they come for the party, but they come for this. To feel free.”
