Knowing it’s our last day and that we’re flying back home tonight, I say, “We should stay up so we can sleep on the plane.”
Hana wraps her arms around my waist, saying, “Okay.” We hold each other for a moment then she tilts her head back. “Thank you for the most amazing vacation.”
The corner of my mouth curves up. “You’re welcome, my angel.”
The past fourteen days have been peaceful, even easing the darkness always crawling beneath the surface.
Chapter 24
HANA
Going through the cupboards and fridge, I make a list of things to get from the store.
Yeah, my man definitely doesn’t like to cook.
I let out a chuckle, and grabbing my bag, I walk to the elevator. Tristan returned to work today, and I want to surprise him with a home-cooked meal. I’m going to prepare black bean noodles, the traditional way.
When I reach the basement, I walk to where my car is parked. We collected the vehicle from Trinity when we returned from Iceland.
On the drive to the nearest Walmart, I keep replaying our vacation in my mind, relishing in the perfect memories we made. It reminds me to develop some of the photos we took and to get them framed. Especially the one we took by the waterfall.
I park the car and get a cart. My first stop is at a kiosk, and I spend an hour going through all the photos I took of us. I narrow it down to my favorite five and get them developed. With my photos in hand, I go look at all the frames. I pick black ones, knowing Tristan will like them.
Leisurely, I begin to work through my list, grabbing some extra items I think Tristan would want.
Happy that everything on my list is ticked off, and having paid with the card Tristan gave me, I load the groceries into the back.
There’s a constant smile hovering around my lips as I drive back to the penthouse.
Knowing I’ll need help to carry all the bags to the penthouse, I stop at the building's main entrance. I get out of the car and walking to the concierge’s desk, I smile as I ask, “Can you help me carry my bags up to Mr. Hayes’ penthouse, please?”
“Of course, Miss Cutler.”
I grab two bags and take the elevator up. Once I walk into the living room, I let out a happy sigh. Setting down my handbag, I head to the kitchen and start to unpack. I hear the elevator ding, and glancing over my shoulder, I smile again. “Thank you for helping.”
“You’re welcome, Miss Cutler. Should I park your car in the basement?”
“Please.” I hand the concierge the key and then continue to unpack everything.
I keep the noodles, beans, and other ingredients out and wash my hands before putting the photos in their frames.
I place four in the living room, and taking the stairs up, I walk to the room and place the photo of us by the waterfall next to the bed.
Standing back, I stare at our smiling faces with the golden light glowing behind us.
TRISTAN
Calling Hana again, I frown when it goes to voicemail for what feels like the hundredth time. I dial the number for the bodyguard I have watching her, and when an automated response comes over the line, I dart up from behind my desk.
Fuck.
Alexei comes into my office, and taking one look at my face, he asks, “Still no answer from Hana?” He knows I’ve been trying to reach her for the past hour.
“No,” I mutter, shaking my head. “The guard’s phone is off. I’m worried.”
“I’ll send Demitri,” Alexei offers.
I walk to where my jacket is hanging and shrugging it on, I say, “I’m going to check on her.”
A frown darkens Alexei’s features. “Let me know if she’s okay.”
“I will.” I stalk out of my office as apprehension and anger swirls in my chest. Hana knows to answer her phone whenever I call. She knows I’ll worry.
Leaving the building, I get into my car. With every mile disappearing behind the Maybach, my worry continues to grow.
I can feel it in my gut. Something’s happened.
The thought makes my mouth go dry, and my heartbeat speed up. When fear slithers down my spine, I press dial on Alexei’s number.
“Is she okay?” he asks as he answers the call.
“I’m not home yet. I have a bad feeling.”
“I’m on my way.”
We end the call, and knowing Alexei is right behind me, I press my foot down on the accelerator. Alexei has a keycard for my penthouse, just like I have a key to his place. It’s so we can be each other’s back up with the business we’re in.
Pulling into the basement, the tires squeal as I stop right behind Hana’s car. Climbing out, I walk to where the guard’s car is. The second I see him slumped over the passenger seat with two bullet wounds in his chest, shock and fear vibrate through my body. I yank my Glock out, and taking the safety off, I run for the elevator.
My heartbeat speeds up as the numbers climb to our floor. When the doors slide open, my eyes instantly take in every single thing as I step inside. Seeing the concierge lying between the living room and kitchen, with a gunshot to his head, I shout, “Hana!” I run up the stairs, two at a time, to the second floor. “Hana!”
Stalking down the hallway, a glimpse of red catches my eyes. Stopping dead in my tracks, I take a step back, and then my gaze locks on the bloody smear against the white wall.
Breaths rush from my lungs as I dart forward into the bedroom. My heart hammers in my chest as I take in the tousled covers and the broken frame and shattered glass next to the bed.
My fingers tighten around the gun as I drop to my knees.
My Hana.
My light.
She’s been taken.
Immense pain quakes through my body as if someone has torn my soul in half. My body shudders as I push myself up to my feet. My skin crawls, and rage builds inside me until it’s bitter on the back of my tongue.
My breaths grow harsh, my heart slowing to a deadly beat. The gorge inside my darkest depths rips wide open, and a growl builds in my chest as the hellish mass rears to its full height.
“Fuck,” I hear Alexei growl behind me. “Cameras.”
His voice snaps me back to the moment, and I turn around to follow him to the study. Alexei and Demitri installed the cameras. Only the three of us know about them.
Alexei presses the button, and the bookcase slides back. He rewinds the footage, and I get flashes of the hell that broke loose in the penthouse.
Demitri comes to stand next to me. “The penthouse is clear.”
I nod, and when Alexei presses play, my eyes instantly lock on Hana, where she’s walking to the bedroom. I watch as she places a framed photo of us next to the bed, and then she tilts her head, staring at it. A soft smile plays around her lips, and I drink in the sight of her.
“There.” Alexei points at the screen showing the entrance and living room. Four men come in, and the concierge is shoved forward before one of the men shoots him in the back of the head.
They used silencers.
My gaze darts between all the cameras, and my soul roars for Hana to hide, to run, to fucking disappear out of the bedroom. Unaware of what’s coming for her, she adjusts the frame slightly then stands back again to look at it.
My fucking heart stops as I watch them come up behind her. Hana glances over her shoulder, and shock bleeds over her beautiful features. I expect her to run, but instead, she turns to face them. “He’ll kill you for this,” she whispers. I can hear the fear quivering in her voice.