Fucking Sandra had some shit to answer for.
28
The day seemed to drag out from there. Lucas tried to speak with his mom to ask why she'd lied about who his father was, but her nurse confirmed Sandra wasn't having a good day. As frustrating as it was, we couldn't force answers out of an unwell woman.
No calls came through from Cass or Demi. No updates arrived on Seph. I entertained one very brief, very terse conversation with Archer, who confirmed they were assisting in the search, but otherwise it was just... waiting.
As seven o'clock rolled around, I reluctantly headed into my bedroom to get ready for my dinner date with Chase.
Zed and I had grown more and more irritated with each other all damn day, arguing over whether I would meet Chase on the terms stipulated. I'd ended up shutting my bedroom door on him and locking it while I put on makeup and found something to wear.
"To be clear," Lucas commented from his position seated on my bed, his back against the headboard, "I also don't think you should go."
I arched a brow at him while flipping through the clothing in my closet. It'd all been chosen by Hannah, and I had to appreciate how she had an impeccable eye for my style. "You haven't said much on the subject," I replied. "Not like Captain Opinion out there." I jerked my head toward the closed door, and somewhere down the hall another door slammed.
Lucas gave a wry smile, rubbing a hand over his cheek. "Because I'm not an idiot. You're smart as hell, Hayden. I don't think you'd make reckless choices without thinking them through. Or... I hope you wouldn't." He gave me a pleading look, and I sighed.
"I wouldn't," I confirmed. "Chase isn't going to kill me just for turning up at this dinner unarmed. He's playing a game, and if I want him to release Seph unharmed, then... fuck it. I'll grit my teeth and play along."
Lucas didn't respond for a moment, his worried gaze on my face. Then he sat forward with a sigh. "He's going to hurt you, babe."
I scoffed. "He wouldn't dare."
Lucas shook his head. "Maybe not physically. But he's got something planned to dent your armor again, I just know it. He's going to push just to see how much he can get away with, then—"
"I know," I snapped, cutting him off because, fucking hell, I didn't need to hear it out loud. I already knew what I was likely getting myself into, but nothing either Lucas or Zed could say would talk me out of it. I'd survived much, much worse from Chase before. This would be no more uncomfortable than a root canal.
Lucas was smart enough to shut up then and just sat on my bed with his gaze locked on me as I got dressed. I opted for pants over a dress because I planned to take my Ducati. Also because this wasn't a real date and I had no desire to offer Chase any kind of easy access to my vagina. No fucking thank you.
Out of habit, I picked up my gun holster, then gritted my teeth as I put it back down. Out of paranoia, I held the Desert Eagle out to Lucas to take.
"Keep this safe for me," I said quietly. "I feel weird leaving it behind."
He took it gently from my hand, his fingers brushing mine and his gaze serious. "This was his, right?"
I grimaced, remembering the night I'd claimed it as my own, literally taking Chase's power from him and shooting him in the fucking face with it.
"Sure was." I puffed out a breath. "I have a feeling he wants it back, too." I hadn't missed the covert glances he gave my gun whenever we were in close proximity like he couldn't help lusting for it.
Lucas nodded his understanding. "I'll guard it with my life, then."
I smiled. "Maybe not that hard. It's just a gun, and you're far more important to me." I bit back the desire to pounce on him and turned back to my closet to find some shoes and a jacket. When I was ready, I only had twenty minutes to get to dinner, so I kissed Lucas quickly and made my way down to the garage.
Zed was waiting for me there. His furious gaze swept over my body, and his jaw ticked with tension.
"Save it," I snapped, grabbing my helmet and swinging a leg over the Ducati. "Just keep your fucking phone on. As soon as Chase gives up Seph's location, I'll call."
"I'm coming with you," he announced, folding his arms across his chest defiantly.
I arched a brow, my helmet still in my hands. "Like hell you are. You'll stay here and follow up with Cass for a progress report. In case there's any confusion, that's an order, Zed." My voice cracked with authority, and his eyes hardened.
Not hanging around to hear more of his arguments, I gave a nod to Lucas, then jammed my helmet on and kicked my bike to life. Both of them watched me go, neither of them even remotely happy about it, but... too fucking bad.
I spent the entirety of my drive into the city rebuilding the walls Zed had worked tirelessly to break down just two nights earlier. By the time I slowed to a stop directly in front of the trendy downtown restaurant Chase had chosen, I was firmly locked inside a mental iron fortress of my own making. Within those protective shields, I was prepared for anything Chase might throw my way.
Possibilities flashed across my mind in quick succession as I slowly climbed off my bike and removed my helmet. Images of ambush, restraints, torture, sexual assault... no matter what I’d told Zed and Lucas, I knew there was a whole lot Chase could do that wouldn't result in death. I was prepared for all of it, just to get my sister back.
Two nondescript guards stood on either side of the main door, both eyeing me up as I strode past, but neither stopped me. Of course, they worked for Chase and he was expecting me. So long as I’d come alone, there was no need for them to be anything more than a looming threat.
Of course, the one thing I wasn't prepared for... was exactly what he delivered.
Striding into the empty restaurant, I looked around with a frown of confusion. The whole place was vacant except for one table right in the middle of the dining room. That table was set up for two with flickering candles and a Champagne bottle on ice to the side.
I paused, not seeing Chase... or anyone. Then he stepped into view with a sly smile pasted over his lips and a single black rose in his hand. Bruises decorated his face from Zed's fists a few nights ago, and one eyebrow looked like it had a stitch in it. Served him fucking right.
"Darling," he purred, approaching me without a hint of hesitation. "You look..." His gaze raked down my body, then returned to my face with a small frown. "Well. I might have liked to see you in a dress, but I suppose this will do."
Another man stepped into view, his expression blank. Pure business.
Rolling my eyes, I slipped my jacket off and extended my arms to the sides to allow him to pat me down for weapons.
"You scared, Chasey?" I mocked as his man patted me down a bit firmer than really necessary. "You think I’d need weapons to kill you if that's what I wanted to do?"
Chase didn't bite at my mockery, just waited for his guy to give the signal that I wasn't armed before offering me the black rose in his hand. "For you, my goddess of death."
Unamused by his theatrics, I brushed past him and made my way over to the table set for our date. A quick glance didn't reveal any traps or manacles or torture instruments laid out. Did he simply plan on drugging my food? Seemed like his style. I sat down carefully, laying my keys and phone on the table beside my cutlery.