Page 54 of Sinful Chains

I scanned the small room and noticed it immediately.

Her purse, still sitting on the desk. Her keys. Her phone.

I scrubbed a hand down my face, breathing hard.

Something was wrong.

I turned on my heel and sprinted to security.

“Aye, something’s up,” I barked at Kenneth the second I reached the booth. He looked up form his phone, startled.

“What’s wrong?”

“My girlf—my coworker. She’s gone, but all her stuff is in her office.”

Kenneth shrugged. “Probably went to the bathroom.”

“Nah.” I said it like I was sure, because I was. You don’t accumulate forty kills under your belt without learning how to read the signs. “Somebody peeled out of the lot a second ago. I need to see the video.”

Kenneth hesitated. “Doc, I can’t—“

“Now!” I slammed my palm against the glass. “This shit is serious, man.”

Something in my face must have convinced him. He set his phone down and slid over to his laptop, pressing a button to let me in the booth.

“What floor is she on?”

“Fifth floor of the admin building. Office number 508.”

I stood behind him, my fists clenching as he rewound the security footage. Every second that passed felt unbearably long.

“Wait.” He stopped, fast forwarded, then hit play. “Shit.”

My heart sank at the sight of a tall figure clad in a suit waiting just outside of Santari'soffice. I leaned in, squinting to get a better look, but I couldn't make out his face.

He stood stone still for a few minutes. Waiting.

He reached around to knock on the door. She opened it, stuck her head out, and froze.

He moved fast, grabbing her arm. Big mistake, because San didn't go down without a fight.

My chest swelled with pride.

It was shortlived, though, because after she landed her punch, another figure, this one in a hoodie, rounded the corner and pointed a gun at her.

"Fuck," I whispered as I watched the fight go out of her.

They moved fast, grabbing her by the collar and dragging her out into the hall. My jaw clenched as the man jammed the gun into her side. He said something. She hesitated, then nodded.

They moved down the hall and out of the frame.

This wasn’t happening.

It couldn’t be happening.

Kenneth switched cameras, cutting to another angle. The figure led her out of the side exit, forcing her into the waiting black SUV.

“How did he get in the building?” Kenneth said softly. “How’d he get his car past the gate?”

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