Page 92 of Ruin Me
“Where else would I be on a night celebrating you?” She hugged me.
“Does this mean you won’t run the second Madison arrives?”
My daughter stiffened in my arms. “Don’t ruin the moment, Dad.”
“Ife—”
She pulled away with a bright smile that didn’t meet her eyes. “Why don’t we try some of the hors d’oeuvres on offer?” She pulled me toward one with a smoked salmon and caviar-topped blini.
I took one, still glancing around. Every time my distraction showed, Ife hailed an acquaintance. After an hour, there was no sign of Madison and my unease turned into panic. I shrugged Ife’s hand off my arm.
“Dad?”
“I need to leave.”
“But there are people you haven’t greeted yet.”
“Make my excuses for me.” I patted her shoulder and rushed out.
Had something happened to Madison? I checked my phone but there was no message from any of her guards. I was so sure I’d handled all threats directed at her, but what if I missed something? Had Paulina hired another person in the event the first mercenary failed to abduct Madison?
My thoughts ran wild as I rushed home. All the cars were in their spots in the garage. If she hadn’t left yet, something bad must have happened. I ran into the elevator and punched the button for our floor over and over while praying for it to move faster.
The doors opened, and her guards were in the foyer. Standing. Chatting.
“Where’s Madison?” I stormed inside.
The closest man to me averted his gaze. Guilty expressions abounded.
“Answer me!” I yelled.
My scream caught Benson and Stabler’s attention. They came wagging their tails, but their welcome did nothing to calm me.
Finally, one stepped forward. “Ms. Montgomery told us not to follow her.”
I closed my eyes. “What did you say to me?” I strangled the words as they came out of my throat.
“Ms. Montgomery ordered us to stay here. Since she never gave us an order like that before, we thought she meant to return.”
“And when she didn’t, why didn’t you call me?”
They shared a look that spoke volumes of their fear of retribution without uttering a word. “She said not to.”
I stepped back, my breathing erratic. No, I had one other safety measure in place. I retrieved my phone and called the undercover bodyguard.
“Mr. Luxe?”
“Where is she?”
Silence met my question.
“Where is Madison?” I yelled into the phone, barely holding my shit together.
Benson and Stabler whimpered.
“I don’t know. I followed her to the airport, but lost her in the TSA line.”
I disconnected, unable to accept what I’d heard. My men were full of bullshit. Madison had to be here. She had no reason to be at an airport. The first room I checked was the bedroom.