Page 99 of An Eye For Illusion

“Shhh, keep your voice down.” I don’t want the noisy hags getting their nails done around us to hear. Elliott once again surprised me this morning by declaring today a spa day for all the most important ladies in my life. Of course, it was also at the insistence of my father.

I was so damn close to screaming at the top of my lungs that there wouldn’t be a fucking wedding to pamper me for, but I stopped myself when I saw the sick smile on Elliott’s face behind Dad’s back.

Elliott looked evil. It turned my stomach in knots. Could he have something to do with Colin being missing? If so, how did he find out we were following him? Colin is the best at what he does, so I highly doubt Elliott of all people caught him.

My mind was a hurricane of what if when Donovan stormed into my office wanting to know where Colin was. Did he fuck me and dump me? Was he in danger? But when Donovan said he was sure Colin didn’t send me that text, my heart leaped in relief that Colin would never call me a mistake before immediately plummeting when I realized what Donovan was implicating.

It’s one thing for Colin to avoid me because we caught feelings for one another. It’s something else entirely for Colin to avoid Donovan—who is not only his best friend but his colleague and work partner—in the middle of breaking a case wide open.

Donovan’s concerned expression was enough to convince me that Colin’s disappearing act wasn’t personal with me. Instead, it was potentially something much more sinister.

“What I mean is that no one has seen or heard from him in three days. Something’s wrong.”

“What are you going to do?” she asks in a panic.

I lean in so no one else can hear me. I don’t trust anyone here. Half of the women here I barely know, but my father or Elliott insisted they be a part of the wedding in some way. It’s just another thing I regret. I should’ve stood up and told them no, but I told myself it didn’t matter. The wedding wasn’t a big deal so why would I care?

I’m starting to realize that I do care. I care a lot, and Elliott Moore is not the man I want to walk down the aisle to.

Colin is.

“Donovan called Liam in my office, and let’s just say, they’re really worried something bad has happened. Liam has the whole team working to find him.”

I nibble on my lip because I can’t help but think that all of this is my fault. If I hadn’t agreed to this whole damn sham of a marriage to begin with, none of this would have happened. My father wouldn’t have been threatened. I wouldn’t be on the verge of losing a major stake in my company. I wouldn’t have to pretend everything is okay. Lastly, I wouldn’t be head over heels in love, and Colin wouldn’t be missing.

That last one is what really guts me. I’d go through the rest of it again if it meant Colin was okay. That I hadn’t put the man I’m falling for into grave danger. If we don’t find him alive and whole, I don’t know what I’ll do. Right now, I want to curl into a ball, cry, and scream at the injustice of it all.

Colin is a good man who is trying to help me find a way to free myself from a man who apparently has no morals and zero issue with hurting someone else.

“What are you going to do?” she asks.

I blink several times as I struggle to answer. All Donovan told me before running out of my office yesterday was to proceed as normal. How the hell am I supposed to proceed as normal and act like my whole life isn’t falling the fuck apart before my eyes? Especially when I know something is wrong because Colin hasn’t contacted anyone.

“The show must go on. At least, until we know he’s safe,” I say gloomily.

Her eyes go wide, and her jaw falls open. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” Her words are loud enough to draw the attention of one of my father’s oldest associates.

Gretta looks over at us curiously. I smile and wave nonchalantly. “I just told her about a surprise I have in store for Elliott.” Oh, I have a surprise in store alright, but not one he’ll enjoy.

My blood pressure raises when I think about the very real possibility that he’s behind Colin’s disappearance. When I asked Donovan why we couldn’t see if Elliott knew anything, Donovan’s face turned so serious my stomach flipped. His response sent chills down my spine.

“Because that will most likely get him killed, Jade. If who I think took him did take him, we have to be smarter than them if we have any hope of getting him home in one piece.”

I shiver when I replay that moment in my mind. It was enough to make me sit down and shut up. I’ll do whatever Liam and Donovan tell me to do to save Colin. If that means walking down that damn aisle and marrying Elliott, that’s what I’ll do.

“Awe! That’s so sweet! Can I ask what the surprise is?” Gretta asks joyfully.

I swallow. Well, that was a stupid lie. Now I have to come up with a way to brush her off.

I like Gretta; she’s one of the few people here who I enjoy being around. I always wondered if she and my father would be a good match. They’re the same age, they have the same interests, and she’s kind, honest, and pretty. Those are hard traits to find in the social circles we find ourselves in. Most have one, some have two of those traits, but very few have all three. Plus, I’m pretty sure she likes my dad and has for years.

I fight to keep a small smile on my face. “Oh, it’s nothing big. Just a little something special for the honeymoon.”

Her cheeks turn a little pink, and a knowing look crosses her face. “Ahh, I see. Well, I’m sure he’ll love it, Dear.”

I want to puke. I’m sure he would love it, but that isn’t what will happen. At least, I hope with all that is holy it doesn’t.

Gretta goes back to talking to my second cousin twice removed, who I barely know, and I turn back to Bridge. My eyes widen when they lock on her.

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