Page 80 of Submitting to Them

Sebastian

Finally, dinner with Helena, Pat, and the rest of the Church of Fortune crew is over.Pat and her band were going out for after-dinner drinks, but I begged off.

A quick stop at my apartment to give Schrode some kitty scratches behind the ears and makes sure he’s fed, and then Kellan’s driving me over to Kingston’s place.I text Ella to let her know I’m on my way.

Can’t wait to see you, princess.Lots to discuss.

No little dots appear on the screen to tell me she’s writing back.I wonder if Kingston is already home and fucking her, the lucky bastard.Or maybe she didn’t hear her phone, or she fell asleep.

I list off as many random reasons as I can to explain why she’s not answering me, figuring that with every more implausible excuse, I’ll see a response pop up on my phone.I’ve finally listed,She’s entertaining a small family of aliens who are curious about Earthling customswhen I realize she’s just not going to write back.

We’re only ten minutes away from Kingston’s penthouse, but I text him anyway.Couldn’t wait for me, huh?

Unlike Ella, he responds.What are you talking about?

Ella didn’t reply to my text.I thought you two were already going at it.

I’m on my way back from the office.

Well, that’s too bad.I was hoping to walk in and find a show.She must’ve fallen asleep.

He calls me a minute later, just as Kellan pulls into Kingston’s parking garage.

“She’s not answering her phone,” King says.“I don’t think she fell asleep.”

A detached feeling of unease pulls me out of my car and into the elevator.“I’m on my way up to the penthouse,” I say.“I’ll call you back.”

The elevator carries me up to the top floor.Something feels off as I step into King’s place.It feels empty.

“Ella?”

No response.It’s easy to check the living room and kitchen areas, as it’s a somewhat open concept.Then I go to the bedroom.She isn’t in there, or in the en-suite bathroom.Next, I check the other bedrooms and bathrooms, but I already know she won’t be in them.I don’t know how I know.I move with calm detachment even though my chest is aching with fear.

I go to the balcony next, but I can see through the floor-to-ceiling windows that she isn’t out there.Still, I turn on an extra light just to make sure.

“Ella?”King’s voice calls out.

I turn around to see him stepping out of the elevator.His gaze meets mine.I shake my head.

“Did she leave a note or anything?”he asks.

“Not that I saw.”Immediately, I go to the table, the coffee, table, the kitchen counter, the bedroom nightstand.There are no notes, no tiny pieces of paper with her girlish, loopy handwriting.

I don’t know what to say or do.I don’t even know what to think.I shouldn’t be panicked yet, right?

“No notes,” I say to Kingston.

“I’m calling the Ironwood guards.”He jabs at his phone screen with so much force, I’m surprised it doesn’t crack the glass.A second later, he says, “Where are you?Ella’s not answering her phone.”

His face pales at whatever they say.

“Get up here,” he says.“We need to find her.”

He ends the call and I say, “It’s not like she’s hiding in a fucking closet, King.She must’ve left.”

“There’s security cameras.Soon as the guards get up here, I’ll see if I can get my hands on the footage,” he says.

Kingston