“I should’ve paddled your ass harder after teasing me all day.”
“Too late.”
“Never too late.” His grin should alarm me, but I can only laugh. From the way he’s still catching his breath, I have a feeling that will have to wait for another day.
“Later maybe.” He closes his eyes and sighs. “I think I’m just going to close my eyes for a second.”
A second turns into a minute, then Griff’s soft snores sound. I scoot off the bed, unwilling to wake him, and decide what to do about lunch. I could order in, but I decide to stretch my legs and grab something special from the bistro downstairs.
I tiptoe out of the bedroom and get dressed in the main area of the suite. Griff’s a light sleeper and I don’t want him to wake before I get a chance to surprise him with lunch. Closing the door softly behind me, I exit the suite and head to the elevator. It takes a bit to get to on my floor. Another gentleman joins me, standing off to the side as he checks his watch. Dressed in khakis and a dark polo, he gives me a passing glance, then silently waits with me for the elevator to arrive.
The call bell dings. The elevator doors part. I take a step, but then draw up short. Two very large men stand to either side of the man from the boutique. He smiles at me. It’s a Cheshire Cat kind of grin. He looks far too pleased with himself, and boy, do I get an off vibe.
“Ah, there she is.” A red dress hangs casually from his fingers. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
I take a step back, but the man behind me closes the distance. He blocks my retreat. Before I can react, he grabs my arms, lifts me off my feet, and walks me inside the elevator.
All that fancy training, drilled into me over the past year and hammered into me over the past few weeks, goes right out the window. I struggle, but I’m no match for one man, let alone four. I open my mouth to scream, but the man on the left shoves cloth saturated in a sweet-smelling substance over my face. I inhale the sweet essence of chloroform, something I’ve experienced before.
No. No. No.
My eyes water and I breathe in the aromatic vapor. I barely register the prick of a needle in my arm. Darkness shrouds my vision as I go limp in their arms.
Thirty-Three
Griff
I stir in the bed, stretching my arms out wide. I feel for Moira, needing to pull her to me, but my hand finds nothing. Bolting upright, I take in the room. The bed is a mess of twisted sheets, evidence of our lovemaking, but there’s no Moira.
How long was I out?
I remember feeling amazing after sex, filled with bone-deep contentment having Moira in my life, in my bed, and firmly entrenched in my heart. I see our future spreading before us and can’t wait for it to begin.
“Moira?” I rub my fingers through my hair and wipe my face with my hands. Getting up, I check the bathroom. The door’s open and the light’s out.
“Moira?” I call out, worried this time, as a tingling sensation trickles down my spine. Rushing into the outer room, there is no sign of Moira.
As I throw on my clothes, I call my team.
“Yo!” Axel answers.
“Moira’s gone.”
“Copy that.” Axel doesn’t ask bullshit questions like “how do I know,” but gets exactly what I mean. “Searching now.”
He and the rest of my team will make a sweep of the lobby, checking out elevators and stairwells while I canvas the tenth floor and the floors above and below.
Once dressed, I race outside. There’s not much to check. The hallway is long and devoid of any sign of Moira. I jab at the elevator and tap my foot as I wait for it to arrive. “Where are you, little minx?”
My phone vibrates. I glance at the screen and growl. Liam located Moira’s bracelet in the elevator. No way in hell would she take it off, and there’s no way for it to fall off accidentally.
Even though this is part of our plan, I’m not prepared for the intense fear churning in my gut. I remind myself what’s important as I wait for the goddamn elevator to arrive. Why is it taking so damn long!
First things first, they want Moira alive. I take a deep breath. She’s safe for the moment. Second, Moira’s kickass