Page 60 of King

Then she froze.

She didn’t have her phone with her.

She’d left it on the table outside because her dress didn’t havepockets.

Shit!

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as she stumbled to the door, pounding on it with her fists.

“Help!” she screamed. “Somebody help me!”

But outside, the party was still raging. The music, the laughter—it drowned her cries out completely.

Ella swallowed hard, pressing her forehead against the door astruepanic set in.

She was locked in. Alone. In the dark. Possibly with spiders and rats and God knew what else.

And no one knew where she was.

TWENTY-SIX

KING

King moved through the compound with a tight jaw and a racing pulse, doing his best to keep his worry under control.

They would find her.

It was entirely possible she was outside somewhere, having a moment to herself. At least, that’s what he hoped she was doing.

The last thing he wanted to do was cause a scene and put everyone on edge, but every second that passed without finding Ella made his chest tighten. His gut was screaming at him that something was wrong.

He checked the playground first, scanning the swings and slides where the Littles often played. Nothing.

He moved to the old oak tree on the edge of the property, where she loved to sit and read. Empty.

The motorcycle shop. Nothing.

His grip tightened around his phone as he walked the entire perimeter of the compound.

Where the hell was she?

As he turned the corner near the back of the clubhouse, his frustration mounting, he collidedwith someone.

He barely budged, but the person let out a smalloof, taking a step back.

King’s hands clenched into fists when he saw who it was.

Janelle.

His entire body went rigid. His already thin patience snappedat the sight of her, looking smug as ever.

She smiled up at him, brushing a hand over her low-cut top. “King. Daddy. I hoped I’d find you alone.”

King’s lip curled in disgust. “Where is she?” he growled.

There was no doubt in his mind Janelle had something to do with Ella’s disappearance.

Janelle blinked innocently. “Who?”

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