Dominic

Six days, sixteen hours and forty-seven minutes since Tolyan delivered the portrait to my penthouse.

Six days, sixteen hours and twenty-two minutes since I tried to locate Elizabeth.

Four days, five hours and forty-one minutes since I spoke with Yu-Jin.

Four days, three hours and seven minutes since I told Antoine to find Elizabeth.

Yet not a word. It’s as though she’s vanished from the planet.

“The venture in China’s good to go,” Inara, one of my best executives, says, seated to my left in a huge meeting room with a gleaming table and twelve leather office chairs. Los Angeles is cheery and golden with the setting sun on the other side of the giant windows—a picture of vibrant and carefree city transitioning from day to dusk.

I nod, barely listening to the beaming woman. I nod again when she thanks me for my role, and murmur something about doing my part. I wouldn’t have cared if she’d taken credit for the green light, since I didn’t do it for glory, just profit. Over ten thousand employees and their families depend on my company. It’s my job to make sure it continues to make enough money to provide for them.

Then why isn’t my head in the right place? It hasn’t been for the last six days. Even though I’m aware of the problem, I can’t seem to make myself focus as other executives start discussing strategy for a new project on our agenda.

I reach for the cup of water, then stop. It reminds me of the vodka Elizabeth seems to have grown so fond of. It used to be my drink of choice, but these days, I can’t even touch the stuff because it makes me remember…

Elizabeth, where are you?

Her phone’s been off—I’ve been trying it every hour since Tolyan delivered the portrait. Just in case she blocked my number, I even got a burner. But no luck.

Her office says she hasn’t been in for days, and they aren’t lying. I’ve had men watching all the entrances to the building during that time.

She isn’t staying at her actor brother’s place anymore. She isn’t back in Virginia, either. I don’t bother tracking down Tolyan. He’d probably just laugh that creepy laugh of his and taunt me.

Urgency wells deep in my soul. Every second that ticks away widens the gulf between me and Elizabeth.

Her name is Liza, a voice in my head reminds me, but I can’t use the name. It’s too special—only Kristen and I were allowed to call her that. And my sister was the only one who believed Elizabeth.

My phone buzzes on the conference table. I start to tap the red button, then stop. It’s Antoine—my best friend, head of security and the guy I call when I need somebody to watch my back.

My mouth dries. “Excuse me,” I say to the other executives, standing. “I need to take this.”

I place the phone to my ear and walk out. “What did you find?”

“I found Elizabeth. She’s staying at Aylster Resort on St. Cecilia. Gonna be here for another week.”

Thank you, God. “Great. I’ll be there ASAP.” I hang up, then call my assistant, Brian. “Have my plane ready to take off in the next hour,” I say, walking briskly toward the vestibule.

“But what about your meetings and agenda?” he says, his voice slightly high-pitched.

“Cancel everything. Inara can be in charge until I’m back. I’m not available until I say otherwise.”

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