Page 101 of Creed

Miguel stands at the end of Sophie’s bed while Antonio sits on it. He's the polar opposite of Antonio’s posh, suited style. He wears worn jeans and a T-shirt with a military-style jacket.

I sit on my bed, relieved they’re here because I have no clue what to do. “Thanks for coming so quickly.”

“Of course, Olivanne,” Antonio says.

“It's just Ollie,“ I say.

He nods with a small smile. “Ollie, I’m glad you didn’t hesitate to call. Can you run us through it again?”

I fiddle with the hem of my sweatshirt. “There’s not much. She texted me.” I reach over to give my phone to Antonio. Miguel leans over his shoulder to read the brief exchange. I wince as they read my message about her going to get laid.

I clear my throat. “Then I noticed she didn’t pack any bags, her charger was here, and I found her phone in her desk drawer.”

Antonio reaches over to open the drawer and takes out Sophie’s phone. “You wouldn’t know the passcode by chance?”

“No, sorry.” I worry my bottom lip.

“I’m going to take this and see if I can figure it out.”

“Any knowledge about who she might have gone away with?” Miguel asks.

“No.” I huff out a laugh. “Kind of a shit roommate, aren’t I?”

“Not at all.” Antonio’s dark eyes are worried but understanding. “Sophie’s a very private person, don’t take offense.”

Miguel gives me a kind smile. “What about socially?”

“She’s well-liked but not really close with anyone. School was her priority.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Sorry, I made her sound like a social outcast, and that’s not it at all. She’s just not into the partying or mindless hanging-out scene, you know?”

Antonio nods. “I know she took her schooling way too seriously and didn’t do much socially. But was there anyone she hung out with?”

I don’t know about Zac and Sophie’s relationship, but I won’t hold back if it can somehow help. “There’s a guy, Zac Watkins, and they studied together sometimes. He’s a…”

Antonio and Miguel wait expectantly.

Manslutis on the tip of my tongue, but I say instead, “He’s a jock. Superstar QB with a real chance for the pros. Likes the ladies, if you know what I mean.”

“Humph.” Antonio frowns. “Could she have gone off with him?”

I shake my head and tell them about Zac being high in his room when I called, and what he’d discovered from his phone calls with the university president and the security team.

Antonio’s phone rings. “Excuse me, Ollie.” He stands from Sophie's bed as he answers. “Hey, Lok.”

My eyes widen. I know Antonio is a big music executive in New York and is friends with Lok Bello, an international superstar EDM DJ. A zing of excitement whips through me, followed by guilt.

Christ, am Ireallygoing to fangirl my roommate’s uncle’s celebrity friend and be giddy that I’m sitting within five feet of a conversation that includes him?

No. No, I’m not.

“No, absolutely not, man,” Antonio says, rubbing his eyes, looking exhausted. “You’re playing to a sold-out show of over a hundred thousand in Toyko. I appreciate it, but there’s not much you can do right now.” He frowns as he listens. “No, I haven’t spoken to Ryn in weeks. You know she’s basically fallen off the map.”

Antonio rakes a hand through his dark, neatly styled hair and replies to whatever Lok says, “Okay, good idea. I’ll call Tag… Yeah, I never thought of them and that they might be able to help. Okay, thanks, brother… I will. Knock ’em dead.”

He hangs up, and Miguel raises a brow. “Tag?”

“Lok suggested that with Tag, Rolf, and Nexin’s security roles and training, they might be able to help until the authorities step up to the plate,” Antonio explains.

My eyes well with tears, this suddenly becoming even more real. “Do you think Soph was taken? Like really?”

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