Page 114 of Owen

“Babs?”

With no warning or niceties, she says the words I’ve been fearing since I found out what Jade did for a living and the threat Richard placed on her life: “Jade’s missing.”

My blood turns to ice as I listen to her fractured words:accident,plane crash,eject, Welsh mountain range, major search, can’t find her, rescue operation, missing since yesterday afternoon, we weren’t allowed to tell you until we knew she was officially missing…

I struggle to catch a breath.

“I’m on my way.” My voice is barely a whisper as sharp pains shoot through my temples.

“Stay where you are, Owen. The Air Force is doing all they can to keep this out of the press with the hope they can find her before they catch wind of the story.” She lowers her voice as if not wanting to be overheard. “I’ve been sworn to secrecy, but we’ve been ordered by the Ministry of Defense to act like everything is okay. Jade’s paperwork states that Mari is her emergency contact and next of kin, and in the eyes of the Air Force, you are just the nanny. Jade hadn’t informed her chain of command of your engagement yet because of your living arrangements. As you know, they have very strict policies, Owen.”

“You have got to be kidding me?” I drag my hand down my face in disbelief. “I have to come, Babs.”

“They won’t let you near us. A liaison officer has already arrived at Jade’s house this morning.” She whispers, “Listen to me, Owen. We’ve been ordered to stay within the safety of the base, here at the house with Poppy. Like us, there is nothing you can do. It’s out of our hands. They are resuming the search by helicopter this morning. The mountains are treacherous. They’ve told us we have to sit tight while they widen their search. You need to stay put until we know more.” She goes eerily quiet.

My heart feels like it’s bleeding out. I rest my forehead against the cool pane of glass in front of me and ask, “How is Mari?” fully knowing she’ll be heartbroken.

“She’s barely holding it together.”

“Poppy?”

“Oblivious.”

“I should be there, Babs.” I need to see her, cuddle her, and protect her. “I want to leave right now!” I can’t keep the rising panic out of my tone.

“You’re not thinking logically, Owen. There is no way you will be able to focus on the long drive to us, and what if you have an accident? We need you safe, Owen, and if you turn up here in a frantic mess, looking more upset than you should be… You are just the nanny, Owen…” She takes a deep breath in. “You’re not family. It’s awful, I know.”

Knowing she’s right, I can’t get the words out to agree with her, hating how helpless I feel. And alone.

“I’m assuming Gregor and the team know?” My throat now aches with the amount of stress coursing through my body.

“Today’s display was canceled. They’re distraught with worry.” Her voice cracks. “Gregor hasn’t called you because,well, unlike me, they all signed an Official Secrets Act when they joined up, Owen. But I didn’t. I had to call. I just had to let you know.”

This can’t be happening. “Oh my God, Babs. I can’t live without her.” I have to push the shocked words out of my mouth, my legs almost giving way from under me.

“We know how much you love her. Just sit tight and I promise I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything, Owen.” Her voice is barely audible.

Robotically, I agree with her, ask her to give Poppy a kiss, say goodbye, then end the call.

And my world blows apart.

Because ofhim.

Clouded in anger, I spin around, snarling at the man who destroyed my life. “What the fuck did you do?” I scream.

Scowling, he shakes his head in confusion. Got to hand it to him. He’s a great actor.

“I still had one day left.” I fly across the room, but his bodyguard leaps forward, preventing me from smashing his face to pieces.

Richard casually replies, “I don’t know what you are referring to, Owen.”

Pushing myself against the wall of muscle to get to him, like a rabid dog, I throw myself around on a mission to kill the man who promised me ten days to find the money and keep her out of it.

He’s punishing me for something my father did.

And now she’s missing.

“Where is she?”

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