Page 69 of Unforgettable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #3)

As we burst through the small crowd under the canopy, I hear the horn honking.

We sprint to it and open the doors at the same time.

I slam it in reverse, and we peel past the canopy.

Everyone is watching. Out on the road, I maneuver the traffic, speeding recklessly toward the towers.

Cat is gripping the leather. "Cat, call security at the Towers.

Tell them to scan their cameras for Siri.

She drives a Shelby GT500, black and gold custom paint.

I want to know if she is still there and if she leaves, is she alone?

" I look over at her. She takes her phone and begins to dial.

"Can they tell us what room she may be in? "

She nods, and I see a tear slide down her cheek.

"Ask, but have them stand down."

"Alfred, connect the car to Quintus. Stay on the line with me. Over."

"Yes, Sir."

Quintus' smooth voice comes through the sound system. "Sup, cuz?" Cat is talking to security, and he hears her. "Who's the sexy lady with you?"

"Quintus. Siri is in trouble. What floor did you see her on?"

"Third." His voice is all business now.

"Roger that. Did you see anyone suspicious?"

"No. I wouldn't have left her if I had. Fuck! I should have spoken to her."

"Call Antonio and Angelo. Be on standby. Out here."

"Yes, Sir."

"Alfred, patch Stella through to me on the car phone."

Stella's voice says. "Welcome back, Aurei."

"Stella. I have an emergency. I need to know if you can use your skills to hack into Siri's phone and access her camera."

"I can. I need her number."

"Alfred. Send Stella Siri's contact information."

"Stella, can you patch me into it when you do?"

"No. I will be the only one connected, but I can FaceTime with you on another device so you can see and hear."

"Do it. Out here."

I look at Cat. "They saw her car enter and park on the third floor; she was accosted by a man in a black hoodie. They entered the elevator. They are checking each floor now to determine where they got off."

We arrive at the towers, and I lower the window. The gate guard looks in and sees Cat.

"Nothing so far." He tells her. "We started at the top and are working our way down."

"Thanks, Ronnie." She says.

We ease into the garage and begin scanning the area as we travel up the floors to the third floor.

My heart rate moves from the adrenaline rush to the slow, steady pace of a hunter searching for its prey.

My breath is deep and even. Cat is panting.

When we stop in front of Siri's car, I tell her to stay inside.

I get out and look in the windows. It's empty.

Climbing back in, I tell her. "Keep your eyes peeled.

" I drive at a normal rate around and around the parking garage until we are on the 14th floor as we climb, I ask Cat.

"Give me the layout of Siri's apartment. "

She begins at the front door. "When you enter the front door, you are immediately in the living area.

It is one huge room. On the left is an open kitchen.

On the right side are her bed and her pole area.

There is an aquarium-style pool that borders the balcony.

You can see straight through it like a looking glass to the strip.

Siri designed it herself. It's beautiful.

" I hear the strain in her voice. "Like her.

Open and transparent." She wipes away her tears and clears her throat.

"Siri doesn't cook."

"No. We share a chef. He hasn't been told she is back."

"Has anyone been in her apartment since she left?"

"Just me. I water her plants and maintain her pool."

I pull into the only empty parking spot, and a taste of bitterness bites me. If they had only obeyed the rules and not taken up her space. I'll deal with them later.

Turning the car off, I turn the ringer off on my phone and tell Alfred.

"Alfred, phone silence. Text only."

Yes, sir.

Then I look at Cat. She tells me. "This floor is secure. The elevator doesn't come this far. If she is here, they came up the stairs."

I nod. "The code this week is 8199. It's changed every Sunday. When you go through the stairs on the right along with the other condo's door, Siri's condo is the one on the left."

"What's her security code?"

She smiles. "HappyFaces. Both words capitalized, no space."

I smirk, and she grins a weak grin. "Don't get out of the car for any reason. If you see her, don't make eye contact. You could put both of you in danger. We know how resourceful and competent she is. Hold on to that thought. I'll be right back."

I get out and pull my gun, cock it, then stride with purpose up to the door. As I enter the code, my heart squeezes itself and shuts down. All emotion held in check. When the latch releases, I slowly push it open, hoping the motherfucker is here with her, but the area is empty.

I jog down to her door and enter HappyFaces. A sharp pang breaks through the steel bindings, and I have to take a deep, controlled breath before I push the door open.

The first thing I see is the kitchen. It rivals the one Maria designed. The only blind spot is behind the counter. I slip between the crack in the door and ease into the room. Placing my back against the wall, I scan her world. Cat was right. It's open and transparent, like her.

The living area is full of couches and love seats.

No chairs. A vision of seeing her lounging around on each appears, and I realize she didn't entertain anyone.

She was isolated and alone. Her pool is clear water, and the mountains paint a beautiful color-filled backdrop, but it's obvious no one is in it or on the balcony.

Looking further to the right, I see her stripper pole and a sound system in her workout area.

It's the biggest part of the whole place, and I realize how much her life revolves around her dancing, but it's empty.

I quickly move to her bedroom and bath. The bed is simple and unpretentious, but the color scheme makes me smile.

It's purple, red and gold. Against the wall is the only closed-off area.

I ease over to open the doors and look inside.

Knowing if they are in here, this is where they are hiding.

I slide the door in its track, and Siri's clothes hang neatly on a single bar.

Her shoes are lined up neatly on the floor.

They are undisturbed. I move to the bathroom and look inside.

The commode is a French toilet duvet. The shower is free standing in the center, and a glass jacuzzi on the other end. She is not here.

I lower my weapon and look at my phone. Alfred sent an update.

She's on the move.