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CHAPTER TWELVE

Paxton

I look at my watch and realize that it’s been over an hour since Piper and Georgíos left. I try calling her but her phone goes straight to voicemail. I take a walk to where her table is set up and see Artemis, Giovanna, Isabella, Fiorella and Luciana sitting where my Piper should be.

“Have you seen Piper?” I ask them.

“She texted and said they got a flat tire.”

“Do you know how long ago that was? Georgíos can change a tire in a flash.”

Giovanna sits up and looks at her phone.

“She texted thirty minutes ago. And you’re right, it shouldn’t take him this long. Have you tried calling her?”

“I did and it’s going straight to voicemail. Can one of you take care of the lumber area for me? Just ring people up if they need anything. If anyone needs lumber cuts, tell them I’ll be back.”

“No problem. I’ll go with you.” Luciana says.

“And I’ll take care of the lumber store.” Fiorella tells me.

“Thank you so much.”

“I’ll drive. You shouldn’t be driving.” Luciana says.

We take the route Georgíos would’ve taken from the house to the store. Half way there we see the car, it looks like it’s still on the jack. But I don’t see Georgíos or Piper. I jump out of the car before Luciana comes to a complete stop.

“Paxton!” she yells at me.

I run around the car and find Georgíos on the ground. I kneel down and feel for a pulse. It’s strong.

“Georgíos, wake up. Where’s Piper?” I say as I try to wake him.

I see a needle lying next to him. What the fuck happened? Georgíos starts to wake up, he jumps up and shakes his head. Like he’s trying to clear it.

“Whoa you’re okay.” I say to him as I step back in case he shifts. He’s a huge guy and his tiger is even bigger.

“I saw Marc and another guy. I was fixing the tire and a car pulled up. A guy asked if I needed help. I said no, but the next thing I knew I was on the ground. I heard him talking to Piper. And then they put her in the car and took off.”

“What kind of car?” I ask.

“Grey SUV. License plate was 77-91254.”

I get on my phone and call Salvatore.

“Hey, Paxton. What’s up?”

“Piper’s missing. Someone took her, Georgíos said he saw Marc and another guy. He got a license plate, it’s 77-91254.”

“I’m on it. I’ll get the others helping. Is Georgíos okay?”

“He seems okay, I’m going to try and see if he’ll let me take him to the hospital ? —”

“I’m fine. Let’s find Piper.” Georgíos says.

“I figured he wouldn’t let me take him. We’ll head back to the house now. I asked the women to keep an eye on the store with Lukas and Felicity. I’ll call them when we get back.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they all know what’s going on. Drive safe.”

“Luciana’s with me and she’ll drive one car. I’ll fix the flat and drive this one back. Please find her.”

“Try not to panic, having the car’s license plate will help us. Get home safe.”

I hang up the phone and change out the tire.

“Let me help. I’m fine, these are times when being a shifter helps.” Georgíos says to me.

He does look like he’s one hundred times better than when we found him.

“I’m so sorry. This is my fault.” Georgíos says.

“This isn’t your fault. Whoever took Piper, they’re at fault. And we’re going to find them.”

We work together and finish getting the tire changed. Then head back to the house, I’m trying to keep my cool and not panic. When we get back to the house, I find out that my brother closed the store for the day so that we could all be here.

Sebastiano comes running into the living room.

“Having that license plate has made finding Piper a lot easier. It’s a rental car, it was rented by Harris Porter.”

“You mean Piper’s ex?” I ask.

“That’s the one. I don’t know what he’s doing, but I also found out that he and Marc are half brothers. They have the same mother.”

“So they’re in this together?” I frown.

“It looks like it. But I do have some good news, I found out where they’re staying. We’re getting some of us together to go and get your girl.”

“That’s the best news. I’m ready.”

Piper

It looks like we’re only a few miles outside of Wintervale.

And I’m hoping that Paxton knows I’m missing by now.

Marc and Harris have been talking like we’re just on a road trip.

We finally stop at a motel I try to jump out before Marc stops the car.

But Harris grabs me before I can get my hand on the door handle.

“Don’t do anything stupid.” Harris snaps at me.

I stay quiet as I follow him into the room. I’m hoping at some point Marc and Harris will pass out and that will give me a chance to escape. There’s only the two of them so unless they’re taking shifts? They both will pass out. Please make them both pass out.

I lie on one of the beds and try to ignore them both.

“You’ll come around in time, I know you will.” Harris says to me.

I continue to ignore him, I’m hoping that he’ll come to his senses and figure out that he’s being stupid.

How could he think that I could forgive him for what he did?

I told him when we were together that one of the biggest things for me was cheating.

And that I’d never forgive him or anyone if they cheated on me.

I guess he thought I was joking? I don’t even know. I just want Paxton.