Page 130 of An Inconvenient Marriage
Holding on to that, I sprinted toward the entrance. The building was eerily empty when I stepped inside. Definitely not a good sign.
I scanned the area and tried to figure out my next move. The building was at least three or four stories high. Each floor possibly held a dozen offices, if not more. Where the hell did I even start my search?
Then it hit me.
Knowing Trent and his need to be above everyone else, he’d probably set up on the top floor. So that’s where I went, taking the stairs two at a time. My chest burned, and my breathing was heavy, but I wouldn’t stop.
Not until I had Natalie safe in my arms.
Which felt a lot closer to realization when I finally reached the third floor. Without taking a second to catch my breath, I set off on a run, pushing doors open as I went. But the more empty offices I found, the more defeat set into my bones.
By the time I reached the last door at the end of the hall, I was turned inside out.
She had to be there. She just had to.
Curling my hand around the handle, I twisted and shoved.
Someone was at the other end, and when the door swung open, it hit them.
I hoped like hell it was Trent.
My heart flipped on itself when I stepped inside and saw Natalie on the floor with a hand to her forehead.
“Natalie.” I dropped to my haunches and reached for her.
But she scooted away before I could even touch her.
“Don’t.”
What the fuck?
Someone snickered. My gaze shot up, scanning the room. Trent’s security guard stood a few feet to my right. Running his thumb over his bottom lip, he stared at Natalie like she was a piece of meat.
“Get your fucking eyes off her,” I roared.
He blinked, then turned his attention to me. His brows pulled together, and he angled his head in a way that made me think he realized I was there.
“Well, isn’t this interesting.”
Tearing my attention off the guard, I looked in the direction of the voice. Trent stood in front of his desk with his hands steepled on his too-fucking-round stomach. But it was the smug expression on his stupid face that had chills running down my spine.
“What the fuck did you do?”
“Me?” Pressing a hand against his chest, he raised his voice and eyebrows in mock-disbelief. “The better question is what didyoudo,de la Fuente?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Natalie getting to her feet. I did the same. Our eyes met. “Natalie, please talk to me.”
Shaking her head, she drew her lips into a tight, thin line. Tears spilled down her cheeks.
I couldn’t just stand there. Lunging forward, I tried to reach for her again. Her arm shot out immediately.
“No. Don’t touch me.”
Glaring at Trent again, I gritted out the same question, “What did you do?”
“Oh, this was all you.” Narrowing his eyes, he curled his lips into a sinister smile that showed his teeth. His hand disappeared behind him, fidgeting with something. There was a click, and then sound filled the room.
My heart stopped.
