Page 27 of My Best Friend's CEO Dad

She raises her cup, showing me she already has one. “Oh, by the way, Dad left,” she says casually.

She’s got no reason to say it any other way. Why would she? She’s probably just telling me to make conversation, or so I know. It’s no big deal. I’m glad I’ve got my back to her, facing the coffee machine. That doesn’t change the fact I can see my reflection on the gleaming metal surface. It doesn’t change the fact I can see the pain in my eyes and the terror in the twist of my lips.

“Oh,” I murmur.

“I guess he needs to get back to work,” Kayla says absentmindedly. “At least we’ll have the place to ourselves now,” she laughs.

I laugh with her, but mine is hollow.

CHAPTER 13

LUKAS

Istand at the head of the boardroom, the tech team spread out around the table. They all have bags under their eyes, looking exhausted from the long hours they’re putting in. The head of the team, Jean-Luc, takes a bite of pizza and dabs his mouth with a napkin. After washing it down with a mouthful of soda, he says, “We have discovered the hole in the system. These dogs were able to jailbreak the VR headset via mechanical means, but we’ve patched it up with software. We’ve been trying to break our fix for a week, but so far, we have failed.”

A week… That’s how long it’s been since I left before dawn, the taste of my daughter’s best friend still on my lips. That’s how long it’s been since I last saw Maci. As I promised her, I’ve ensured we’re never in the same room together, but that doesn’t mean it’s been easy. That doesn’t mean my heart isn’t beating hard for her every second of every day.

“Keep trying,” I tell him.

Jean-Luc flinches, his long, black hair shifting around his sharp-featured face. “I believe it is unbreakable,” he says.

“I don’t need you to believe. I need to be certain. Nothing like this can ever happen again.”

I leave the office, my assistant trailing after me, listing off a bunch of meetings. I’ve handled leaving Maci and trying to forget her by working long hours. Not that I’ve got much choice. With Sebastian gone, I’ve got double the workload. I last heard from him last night, a text which read, Hope you’re not going too crazy, Luke. I’m sorry for leaving you in the lurch.

If he were sorry, he’d return to work, which is why I think something else is happening.

A regret hits me as I ride the elevator to the top floor. I was rude to Jean-Luc. I’m not usually like that with my staff. Sure, I’ve got excuses: the stress of the VR situation, the company’s plummeting value, Maci, but that doesn’t make it okay.

Gabriel Walker is waiting for me in my office. He’s a sinewy man, around my age, with a shaved head and rugged features. When I enter, he has his hands behind his back, making me wonder if he’s been standing like that the entire time. He’s ex-Special Forces, and now he’s the East Coast’s most sought-after private detective.

“Mr. Larson,” he says, offering his hand.

“Call me Lukas,” I tell him.

He nods. “Call me Gabriel.”

“I hope you don’t mind me asking you to sneak into my office,” I say, walking around to my chair.

“I understand,” he replies, taking the opposite chair when I gesture. “I’m accustomed to being discrete.”

I lean forward, wondering if I’m crossing a line. It seems to be all I do lately. “I need you to find the location of my business partner.”

Gabriel doesn’t show any shock or surprise of any kind. He just nods and takes out a notepad. “When was the last time you saw him?”

I tell him about the standoff in the office, deciding to include all the details, such as me rushing into the social-media live and Sebastian throwing the chair, just in case they’re somehow relevant.

“Could I have access to your text exchanges?” he says.

“Yes,” I reply.

“And you’d prefer to keep this quiet? You don’t want me questioning his family and friends as though he’s a missing person?”

“He texted me last night,” I say, “but he won’t tell me where he is. He’s been acting strange. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I can’t shake the feeling something’s very, very wrong with him. Maybe he’s being blackmailed or something? I don’t know.”

“Paranoia is underrated,” Gabriel says. “When you’ve seen the things I have, you learn that fast.”

“Keep his friends out of it for now,” I murmur, remembering what Sebastian said about not having a family. “I don’t care if he wants to take a long holiday. He’s earned it. I just want to make sure my friend is okay.”

---