Page 71 of Fallen Heir

Didn’t know what I’d dug up on her father. What I’d dug up on Bruce.

The rest of the lies clawed at my throat, but the ache in my chest dulled just enough for sleep to pull me under.

Until I heard the shouting.

“Open the fucking door!” Ben’s voice tore through the hallway like a warning shot.

My eyes flew open, heart slamming against my ribs as I scrambled to stand. I was still trying to find my bearings when Ben charged toward me, panic etched across his face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, but I didn’t move fast enough.

He didn’t stop. He shoved past me, swiping the spare keycard from his pocket and slamming it against the reader. The lock clicked open, and in the next breath, he burst through the door without hesitation.

“SAVANNAH!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the apartment like a fire alarm.

I followed, my throat closing as I yelled her name too.

No response.

Ben tore through the living room, scanning every corner before disappearing into the kitchen, then the front bedroom.

I didn’t wait.

I headed straight for her room at the end of the hall.

The door was open. The bed, empty. The room, still.

No Savannah.

No sign of struggle. No note. Nothing.

She was gone.

“What the fuck is going on, Ben?” I roared, the words exploding from my chest and reverberating down the hallway like a war cry.

I’d never been violent toward him before—not once. But in that moment, my restraint shattered. I grabbed his shirt and shoved him back against the wall, fists clenched, breath ragged. He was the only person who could give me the answers I needed. The only one who might get me to her.

“What theFUCKhappened?” I barked again, the words splintering under the weight of panic clawing through me.

“Bruce,” he said. Just one word. But it hit like a bullet.

My entire body went cold.

“I saw him,” Ben continued. “Using the escape route. He was in the building.”

A growl tore from my throat as I slammed my fist into the wall, drywall cracking beneath my knuckles. “Fuuuck!”

I’d designed this building to be a fortress—every inch of it crafted to shield and protect. A safe haven for people like her. For people that wanted to hide from outsiders. And now? Now the very thing meant to keep her hidden had just become the weapon used to take her from me.

Each condo had its own escape route, tucked into the floor plan for discretion and safety. A hidden path, an option for clients who needed an extra layer of protection. It was supposed to be her sanctuary. Instead, I’d built the blueprint that delivered her straight to the devil’s hands. I should’ve known better. Should’ve secured it. Should’vebeen there.

Failure wrapped around my throat like a noose.I was right outside.She was just on the other side of the door. And I fucking failed her.

Again.

Ben didn’t wait. He was already moving down the hallway, focused, jaw tight. “Let’s go,” he said. “I’ll call Nic.”

I followed him, heart thundering, fists still clenched at my sides. Every step burned with fury and regret.