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MISSING

DIYA

L ayne walked in just a few minutes after Asher left. I didn’t even have to look up to know she was smiling.

“I’m happy we’re taking him home with us,” she said, like Asher was some stray pet she’d grown attached to.

I shook my head. “He’s not a puppy, Layne.”

She just chuckled.

“I need to wake up early tomorrow,” I mumbled, rubbing at my temples.

Layne perched on the edge of the bed, absently swinging one leg. “Yeah, the fundraiser at Hollowhaven. Think Jonah will show?”

I yawned. “Doubt it. He doesn’t really get along with his brothers.” My voice was already heavy with sleep, my body ready to shut down. “Night, Layne.”

“Good night, Dee.”

“You’re whistling,” Layne said with a smirk, catching my eye in the mirror. “You look happy, and it makes me happy.”

She grabbed the comb from my hand and pushed me into the chair, running it through my hair with practiced ease. She used to do this for Trina and me when we were kids.

Once she was done braiding my hair, I grabbed a dark pink lipstick and applied it. The color complimented the deep purple of my Lehenga. It was simple with silver threads running down the flared skirt. I pulled on the matching dupattaover my shoulder.

“I think I’m ready for the party.” I twirled for her, and she gasped, eyes wide. It was not often I got to wear dresses like these, but I loved them.

“Asher is gonna lose his shit when he sees you,” she said, handing me the white coat. “Don’t forget the coat. I put your knife in there just in case.”

“Thank you.”

Nodding, I walked toward the asylum. There were already workers setting up tables and flowers, and a big van filled with wrapped boxes and clothes.

Taking in a deep breath, I walked in.

Camille’s eyes widened when she saw me. “Holy... You look gorgeous in that.”

Thanking her, I made my way inside. Nurses and orderlies were busy keeping the residents indoors while workers set up tables in the yard for the event.

The moment I stepped into my office, Asher grabbed my hand in his, his gaze sweeping over me appreciatively. “Fuck, Sharma. If you look like this, how am I going to keep my hands to myself?” He pulled me closer, his fingers lightly grazing my palm.

I winked, leaning in slightly. “Who says you have to?”

“Do you want to kill me, Little Poison?” he whispered, his fingers digging into my flesh, pulling me closer. He tugged at my braid, wrapping it around his fist with a lazy smirk. “You look like a fucking goddess, and I want to kneel before you and pray.”

I tilted my head with a smile. “Pray? To?”

His breath hitched as I pressed closer. “To you. Always you.”

“Goddesses often demand… sacrifices.”

His grip on my hair tightened. “Tell me what you want from me, and I’ll give it. I’ll give you everything.” His lips brushed against the shell of my ear. “My heart, my soul, my blood.”

My heart hitched. I traced the small scar on his eyebrow with a smile. “Everything.”

“It’s yours.” He pulled me down on the couch, teasing my braid, before he pulled my Lehenga up with a teasing smile.

His fingers traced the anklet around my leg. “It’s beautiful.”

“This and the plants are the things I vividly remember about my mother. My birth mother,” I whispered. “She wore anklets that made a beautiful song when she walked, and she grew beautiful flowers in her garden. She was the reason I chose poison. I still remember the way she would talk about her flowers, like they were a part of her. They were. And now they are mine,” I said with a sigh as Asher listened, his eyes wide, curious. He made me feel like I was the most important person in this world to him. “I could be anywhere, and I’d hear her walk around. That sound always made me feel safe and happy.”

“I want to make you feel the same. I want to be that happy place for you.”

“You already do. I hear your voice, I see your smile, and I feel safe, Asher. I had never been comfortable with anyone except Layne and Trina.”

He smiled then, bright and full of promises, and it was hard not to fall.

When he stood up, he looked content, happy. “I hate that we have to get out of this room. Every man is going to stare at you, and it’s going to kill me to not say that you’re mine. My woman.”

“Please, don’t. I still want to be a therapist.”

He laughed as I opened the door for him. He walked out, and I sat down, taking calming breaths, my smile never slipping.

I was happy.

I feared it, but I was learning to fight the fear, to just accept the moments as they came.

I deserve this. I deserve to feel content.

A sharp knock made me stumble up.

“Coming.”

I opened the door to see Nurse Dona and Leo standing there, their faces pale.

“What’s wrong?”

“Doctor, it’s Jim-Jimmy, he… he-he’s dead.”

It took me a moment to process that.

Fuck.

“Did you tell anyone?”

“No, I lookedfor Doctor Stanley, but I can’t find him. I…” Dona trailed off, looking pale.

“Okay. Don’t tell anyone yet. Stay right here,” I said, motioning them inside the room. “I’ll deal with it.”

I walked toward Jimmy’s room, my heart pounding. It was him. The one we were chasing. He was cleaning up.

I pushed the door open and winced.

He was killed the same way Mercy was, his mattress drenched in crimson.

I called Layne. “You here?”

“Yes. Asher and I just saw Jonah.”

“Bring Asher and come to Jimmy’s room.”

I opened the door when they arrived moments later.

“Dead?” Layne winced. “We didn’t kill him, did we?”

Asher shook his head with a frown. “Must be that bastard.”

I closed the door to Jimmy’s room, moving toward the yard.

“Jonah’s not here now,” I said, looking around.

“I’ll find him,” Asher said, jogging toward the men who were moving more boxes.

Vincent strode toward me with a smile, which died when he saw my face. “Something wrong?”

I hesitated. “It’s Jimmy. He’s dead, Vincent. Killed the same way Mercy was.”

Vincent’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Your serial killer?”

Layne crossed her arms with a glare. “You’re a fool, Sheriff. Where’s Jonah? He came in with you, didn’t he?”

Vincent’s frown deepened. “Jonah? What do you mean?”

Layne shrugged.

“Listen, this has to be kept quiet for now. Doctor T… and now this… everyone would panic,” I said, looking at Vincent.

“I’ll be as discreet as I can be,” Vincent said when I motioned to the nurse nearby.

“Shelly, can you take Sheriff Bricks to Jimmy’s room?”

As he walked away, Asher came back, panting.

“He’s not here.”

The mayor waved when he caught my eyes. He was busy arranging food and sweets on the table with his wife.

My frown deepened when I noticed Nurse Becca running toward us.

“Dr. Sharma! Asher.” She stopped in front of us, her breath was ragged. “It’s Millie—”

My stomach coiled. “What?”

Becca swallowed hard. “She’s not in her room.”

“Did you check the—” I started, but the answer was already clear.

Becca shook her head, her hands trembling. “I searched everywhere. The rooms, the yard. She never comes out when there are people around. But when I went to give her medication, the door was ajar, and she was… gone.” Becca’s voice trembled. She looked between Asher and me, then stepped closer, lowering her voice. “I-I think it’s him.”

“Who?” I asked, but I already knew the answer.

She knew.

“The one who killed Riley,” she said, looking at Asher.

Asher went rigid.

“How do you—” His voice faltered. “What are you saying?"

“You think I didn’t know, Asher? I knew why you came here. I…” She hesitated for a second. “I protected your secrets.”

His jaw clenched. “Why?”

She shook her head, cutting him off. “I knew why you came. I-I’m the one who sent you Riley’s letter. I thought Dr. T was using her for his experiments…”

Silence.

“You should have told me.”

Becca shook her head. “I wanted to...”

“You knew Millie, didn’tyou?” I asked, and she nodded.

Her fingers trembled as she adjusted her scrub. “Yes.” She inhaled sharply, her voice barely above a whisper. “She’s my brother’s daughter. I didn’t know what was happening to Riley. I-I’m sorry.” Becca wiped her tears. “I was scared and I didn’t know what to do. I was scared they would hurt Millie… I can’t lose her.”

“We have to tell Vincent,” I said.

He exhaled sharply and nodded.

I jogged toward Jimmy’s room, my heart hammering. Asher and Layne were right behind me.

Deputy Clark stepped in front of the door, blocking my way. “You can’t go in.”

I shoved past him, ignoring his protests. “Vincent, Millie is missing. You have to find her.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s gone,” Asher said.

“Jonah is gone too,” Layne said.

Vincent’s eyes darted between us. “Jonah, again?”

I held his stare with a wince. “I—we think it’s Jonah. The one… who killed Riley and…”

Vincent crossed his arms. “You’re telling me my brother has something to do with this?”

I nodded.

“Do you have proof?”

“We don’t have time for proof, Vincent. If Millie’s still alive, we need to act now,” I said. “Even if it isn’t Jonah, we have to find her.”

Vincent hesitated for half a second too long.

Asher stepped closer with a growl. His eyes were dark as he grabbed Vincent by his shirt.

“You swore to protect people, didn’t you? So do your damn job and find her. NOW.”

Vincent pushed him away with a snarl.

“Now he speaks.”

“Fuck you, Vincent. You failed to protect Riley. At least—”

Vincent’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening. “I had no obligation to protect Riley. And you have no right to blame me, you hypocritical bastard. You ran away as soon as you could. I wasn’t the only one who abandoned her.”

Asher flinched.

Vincent exhaled sharply. “You… you’re all insane. Fucking mad,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Clark, call the fire department. Get their Search and Rescue team mobilized immediately. Notify Dunn, and get everyone to coordinate with the fire department. I want every available officer, firefighter, and volunteer to search the perimeter. Check the woods, the riverbanks, the back roads—anywhere someone could be hiding or keeping a hostage.”

Clark hesitated. “Sheriff, but—”

“Now,” Vincent snapped. “And put out an emergency alert. Millie’s missing. I want roadblocks on every major exit out of this town.”

As Clark walked away, Vincent turned to Asher.

“I don’t trust this, or trust you, but if Millie’s out there, we’re going to find her. So either help me or get the hell out of my way.”