I fix my smudged lipstick before applying another layer and running a brush through my hair. When I’m satisfied with my appearance, I leave the bedroom and walk into the kitchen where I gather up my bags and slip my laptop into its case. Chance strolls in, looking sexier than any man has a right to in jeans and a t-shirt and kisses my cheek as he passes me on his way to the Keurig.
“Want some coffee, babe?” he asks and I glance down at my phone before shaking my head.
“No, it’ll take too long. I’ll just grab some on the way.”
Nodding, he turns away from the counter and watches me gather up my things. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah,” I answer, scanning the room to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything and he walks over to me, taking my hand and lacing our fingers together. The whole thing feels so… domesticated but what’s even more surprising is how much I like it. If you had told me this would be my life a couple months ago, I would have laughed my ass off but then Chance walked into my life and I can’t deny how right this feels. We walk over to the door and as I grab my keys off the entry table, Chance opens the door and I jump. A woman is waiting on the other side, her hand raised like she was about to knock.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she says, her voice timid as she glances down the hallway nervously. As I take in the maid’s uniform she’s wearing, I try to figure out who she is before my gaze locks onto the piece of paper in her trembling hand. I glance over at Chance, who shrugs.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Rosie, ma’am. Are you Carly? Miss Ivy’s sister?”
At the mention of Ivy’s name, my heart jumps into my throat and my imagination goes into overdrive. Who is this woman and how does she know my sister? Chance squeezes my hand and when I peek over at him, he’s studying the woman in front of us with narrowed eyes.
“Yes, I am. How do you know my sister?”
Her gaze flicks toward the end of the hallway again before she focuses on me. “I work for Mr. Henshaw.”
My pulse kicks up a notch and I grip Chance’s hand tighter, fear vibrating through my veins as I picture the worst. Please tell me she’s okay.
“Is Ivy okay?”
Her lips flatten into a straight line and I feel like I can’t breathe. “Yes and no. She’s okay right now but Mr. Henshaw… he is not a nice man.”
Yeah, I figured that part out all by myself.
“Your sister… she asked me to bring you this,” she says, holding the piece of paper out to me and I practically drop my bags on the floor to grab it. With shaking hands, I unfold the paper and suck in a breath.
C,
I’m in trouble.
Julian has taken my phone and cut me off
from any outside contact. He cut up my debit card, too.
I have no way to leave and I’m so scared, Car. I should have listened to you. I’m so sorry. Please help me.
Love,
V
“When did she give this to you?” I ask, tears stinging my eyes as anger twists its way through my belly, screaming for vengeance. Fuck Julian Henshaw. Who the hell does he think he is?
“Last night, ma’am. I promised to give it to you as soon as I left and I came straight here.”
“And she was still okay when you left?” I’m practically shouting at the poor woman and I feel bad, but I can’t seem to stop either. Throughout my life, I’ve known fear, but I’ve never felt fear like this. Thinking about poor Ivy, stuck in that house with no way to contact anyone or get help, terrifies me. Chance places his hand at the small of my back and I relax into his touch slightly as I glance over at him. He holds his hand out for the note and I give it to him.
“Yes, ma’am. She was okay when I left. I’ll be back tonight and I’ll help her as much as I can but she needs you.”
“Please,” I say. “Call me Carly, Rosie. You said you’d be back there tonight.”
She nods. “Yes, ma’am… I mean, Carly.”
“Please come in, Rosie. I’d like to know as much as you can tell me about what’s going on in that house.” I’m desperate for information. Does Ivy have new bruises on her body? What is he doing to her? So many things run through my mind and I need to know the truth. Rosie shakes her head, her gaze snapping to the elevator as it opens and Ms. Cheryl steps off. She slowly backs away from the door.
“No, I can’t do that. Mr. Henshaw, he tracks my car. I had to park at the coffee shop down the street just to come see you.”
I nod in understanding. My need for information isn’t so strong I would risk putting this woman in danger.
“Would you be willing to give me your phone number? In case I have any other questions.”
She backs away from the door more, shaking her head. “I’ll watch out for your sister as much as I can. I’m sorry.”
Before I can even try to convince her to stay, she runs off down the hallway and pushes open the door to the stairwell, not willing to wait on the elevator. A tear slips down my cheek and I suck in a stuttered breath as I turn to Chance. God, what are we going to do? He wraps his arms around me, making me feel safe despite the fact that I’m still so worried about Ivy.
“We have to help her,” I croak out and he nods, pulling out his phone.
“Streak, hey, got a job for you, man,” he says a few seconds later and I just hope we can get her out of there before anything else happens.
* * * *
I collapse into the couch and sigh as I kick my heels off, not even caring that I left a trail of clothes and bags from the front door to the living room. Today has been pure hell. After Rosie dropped off the note this morning, Chance went in to talk to the guys and I attempted to go to work, but I spent most of my day worrying about Ivy. I honestly don’t think I got a single thing done. Of course, Ali noticed that something was off and as soon as I spilled my guts to her, she was hugging me and promising me the guys would handle it. I hope she’s right because I don’t know what I’d do without Ivy. Rubbing my fingers across my forehead, I try to fight the headache I feel building.
“What are you in the mood for?” Chance asks, holding up the takeout menus and I shrug.
“Whatever.” My appetite has been non-existent and I’m not holding my breath that it will return any time soon. Chance sighs from the kitchen and tosses the menus down before walking over to me and sinking to his knees in front of the couch. He grabs my hands in his and I feel tears threatening again. God, what would I do with myself if he wasn’t here? Beyond the fact that without the club I have no idea how I would save my sister, he’s been my rock today. I couldn’t go ten minutes without a text from him, reassuring me or trying to distract me when I couldn’t handle anymore promises. This is hard, but I know Chance and the club will do whatever they can to help Ivy. I’m just worried it won’t be enough.
“Listen to me, Carly,” he says, pulling my attention back to him. “This is what we do everyday, baby. I’ve got Streak digging into every part of Julian Henshaw’s life and we will get your sister back.”
I shake my head, tears shining in my eyes. “I’m scared, Chance. Besides Aunt Dottie, Ivy is the only family I have. She’s my best friend in the whole world. I can’t lose her.”