Entranced (The ROGUES Billionaire #1) - Tracie Delaney Page 0,70

calm, or at least prevent him from punching me.

“What time are you headed there?”

“Not until nine or ten, depending on when the ink’s dry on the contract.”

“You and Brie should come by my place first. A celebratory drink is in order, I think.”

Elliot hitched a shoulder. “Sure thing. Champagne for three.” He winked, never one to pass up an opportunity to taunt me.

A knock at the door saved me from a lie. Patricia poked her head inside the boardroom. “Elliot, Aaron’s here. He said he needs a word urgently.”

Elliot made a beckoning gesture. “Send him in.”

Aaron entered with a worried expression.

“Elliot, sorry to interrupt. I thought you should know. Athena went out for lunch over three hours ago and hasn’t returned.”

Elliot’s back straightened, and his eyes narrowed. “What? And she didn’t call or ask for an extended lunch break?”

“No.”

I didn’t like this. Not one bit. Despite the anxiety swirling in my gut, I snorted. Time to behave exactly as Elliot would expect me to.

“Fucking typical. Flighty Athena finds real work too hard. She’s probably out shopping or drinking cocktails and lost track of time.”

Elliot blinked, then shook his head. “If that’s true, I’ll kill her. She gets a chance and blows it.” He picked up his cell and stabbed at the screen. Holding the phone to his ear, he waited, then tossed it back on the table. “Voicemail. I’ll keep trying. Thanks for letting me know, Aaron.”

“Sure thing. I’ll call you if she returns.”

Aaron left. I gathered my things. “I’ll be in my office. Keep me informed on the Addison’s deal. And don’t worry about Athena. She’ll turn up when she’s good and ready, unapologetic for all the fuss she’s caused. As usual.”

I strode out of the boardroom and down the hall, entering my office. I closed the door and immediately called Athena. As with Elliot’s attempt, the call went straight to voicemail. I texted her.

No more tongue-induced orgasms for you unless you get your ass back to work – now.

I waited for the conversation bubble to appear. Nothing.

I sent another one, sterner this time.

This isn’t funny, Athena. Elliot is worried, and I’m pissed. Answer your goddamn phone.

Still nothing.

I didn’t get it. Maybe she was mad at me for some unknown reason and decided to take off, get some head space. But that didn’t make sense. She’d been sending me dirty texts earlier this morning, and we hadn’t spoken in the last few hours. What if she’d been in an accident while crossing the road?

I set about calling all the hospitals in the area, but none had an Athena Bancroft on their admissions list.

Another hour passed. Elliot came to my office, and he had worry lines scored into his forehead. “Something’s wrong. What if she’s been in an accident?”

Same thought I’d had.

“I already called the hospitals. No admissions under her name.”

Elliot’s eyebrows shot up toward his hairline. “I wasn’t aware you gave a shit.”

I almost told him. Almost. But he didn’t need the additional stress right now, so I shrugged instead. “I care about you, and you care about her.”

Elliot nodded, raking a quivering hand through his hair. “Sorry. It’s just… I’ve got a bad feeling. I don’t like this, Ryker. I’m going to call the police.”

“Good idea.”

He got straight on the phone, pacing as he made the call. “Missing persons,” he barked in response to whatever question he’d been asked. Then, “My sister is missing… What?... Four, five hours… No… What the fuck does that mean? No, absolutely not… Twenty-four hours? Are you shitting me? No, I won’t calm the fuck down. This city has lost its fucking mind.”

He threw his phone across the room where, fortunately, it landed on my sofa.

“What did they say?” I asked.

“They won’t do a damned thing until she’s been missing for twenty-four hours. According to them, she’s an adult and can disappear if she wants.” Elliot expelled a bitter laugh. “Fucking regular Sherlock Holmes in NYPD, it seems.”

“I’m not accepting that.” I picked up my phone and scrolled through the contacts.

“Who are you calling?”

“The commissioner. I’ve attended a few dinners where he’s been present. He should be able to apply some pressure to the right department.”

He answered my call, and I apprised him of the situation. Twenty minutes later, Patricia showed two detectives into my office.

Finally, we might get somewhere.

23

Athena

A severe pounding in my temple brought me back to consciousness. There wasn’t an inch of my body that didn’t ache, as if I’d been viciously pummeled or kicked. I groaned and tried to