Page 54 of Never Gonna Lie (Forbidden #2)
Chapter Fifty-Four
JAMES
“ S omeone better tell me where the fuck she is,” I roar, slamming my hand down on my desk. “It’s been two fucking days and we still don’t have a clue where she is and if she’s still alive.”
“We’re still working on it, J,” Theo says, trying to calm me, but it does nothing to help my mood.
Two days . Two fucking days she’s been gone. I haven’t showered or eaten, and I’ve barely slept. I’m functioning on a cocktail of fear and anxiety as I try and figure out where the fuck she is.
“I’ve called in an extra pair of hands. I’ve never worked with them before, but they came highly recommended,” he carries on. “They’re called ‘The Hood.’”
“Is that meant to mean something to me, Theo?” I snap, hands clenching and unclenching as I desperately quell the urge to punch my best friend.
“No.” He sits up straighter. “It means I’ve got the best of the best looking for her. Have faith.”
“Have faith?” I scoff. “Where was faith when Raven was being taken from right in front of me?”
I storm out of my office, the door crashing against the wall, and head for the bar in the living room to pour myself a drink. I down it in one, wincing at the burn but relishing it at the same time.
“Is there something you want to tell me, James?” I hear voiced from behind me. “You seem awfully invested in finding my daughter.”
Drew, Emma, and Theo have been with me the last two days, silently pacing, worrying constantly while we wait for news.
Turning around, I shrug my shoulders. “She’s your daughter.”
I feel like a piece of my soul has been ripped out muttering those words, because in all honesty, Raven isn’t just his daughter—she’s my whole world.
The realization slaps me hard across the face as I choke back a cough.
When the fuck did that happen?
Try as I might, I can’t figure out when I fell in love with Raven. All I know is that I’m head over heels in love with her, and I’ll burn this whole damn city to the ground if I don’t get her back.
Drew narrows his eyes at me, but I hold his stare. “I’ll ask you one more time, James. Is there something going on between you and my daughter?”
I shake my head before forcing the lie out and nearly choking on it, “No. She’s a friend. I’m just worried about her welfare.” I run a hand down my face. “What happened with the casino? Are we one hundred percent sure they aren’t involved?” I ask, changing the subject.
Drew’s eyes go wide, and the color drains from his face.
“What?” I growl, my patience having up and left two days ago.
“Th-they said that she wasn’t in any danger but—” he cuts himself off.
I’m on him like a shot, grabbing him by the shirt and yanking him into me. “You dare to come in here and ask if anything is going on with me and your daughter, yet you’re hiding information from me? Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you now?” I spit.
“I-I got a phone call, the other night, at the gala. I thought it was just a threat.”
Tugging him closer, so close I can feel his breath on my skin, I ask, “What. Phone. Call?”
“They said that I may have paid on time, but there will be consequences.” Drew looks like he’s about to be sick. I pull my arm back and punch him. His nose spurts blood.
“Theo—”
“On it.” He’s already got his phone out, contacting his people.
Drew’s cradling his nose, tears streaming down his face, and I feel nothing. No pity, no sympathy. Nothing.
“You’re fucking things up further for yourself here. I suggest you get the fuck out of my sight before I do or say something I’ll regret.”
Drew nods, his shoulders sinking before he looks at Theo, who’s giving me the evil eye.
Turning my back on Drew, I snap at Theo, “Anything?”
“Nothing. They’re working as hard as they can. As soon as I know anything—” he’s interrupted by his phone ringing.
I look at Theo, eyes wide as he answers the call and puts it on speaker. “Moore.”
A robotic voice sounds through the line, muffling their natural voice. “Found her.”
“Where?” I demand as I take a step closer.
“Upper East Side. Farming district.”
“Fuck,” I shout. “How long do we have until she’s moved? ”
“Twenty-four hours. Forty-eight if you’re lucky.” The call ends, and I glance at my watch.
“We have less than an hour.”
“What’s a farming district?” Drew asks, concern and worry etched onto his face.
“Trafficking.”
Drew looks about ready to collapse at what I’ve just said. “Someone is trying to traffic my daughter?” he asks incredulously. “Why?”
Theo pipes up, “Questions later. We gotta move now.” He turns to me. “I’ve called in security. Leo and his team will meet us there in twenty.” He places a hand on my shoulder, one meant to comfort me. “We’ll get her back.”
I meet his eyes, my eyes darkening in anger. “We better fucking do, Theo. I will kill anyone who’s touched her.”