Page 105 of Holiday Hostage
“Maybe she can’t answer. She might be in the shower or something.” The logical side of my brain told me to be patient.
Mav shook his head. “No. Something’s wrong. I feel it, just like I did when Jack showed up at the cabin.” He took a step back and slapped Reed on the shoulder. “Break it down.”
“Hell yeah.” Reed shifted his stance and slammed his heel into the door.
It burst open so hard it banged against the wall and came back.
I caught it with one hand and peered into the apartment. “Looks empty.”
“Spotless too.” Reed moved past me. “Guys, look.”
We followed him into the living room, where an open suitcase lay in the middle of the floor.
Shopping bags were scattered around, but no Payton.
“Looks like she was going somewhere.” I toed the nearest bag, and a towel fell out. “Why would she leave without her stuff?”
“Reed, I need your phone.” Mav held out his hand and Reed slapped the phone into it. He tapped out a number and put the phone to his ear.
Half a ring sounded before Frank’s voice knifed the air. “Who is this?”
“Mr. Rivers, it’s Maverick. I’m putting you on speaker.”
“What the hell.” Frank cursed. “Maverick?”
“Yes, sir. Do you know where Payton is?” Mav’s hand fisted around the phone as he held it out between us.
“Of course I do. She’s at home. She’s been home. Damn it, Maverick. She’s been grieving for weeks. We thought you were all dead.”
We winced at that.
I’d been afraid Payton would think us all goners after the explosion, but we hadn’t been able to contact her.
Mav gave Frank the shortest version of our story possible, following up with, “It was a close call, sir. Are you sure Payton’s home?”
He rattled off the address.
“Yes, that’s it. She’s supposed to be leaving for a trip in a few days, but she should be home packing.”
Reed made a low noise in the back of his throat.
I knew the feeling.
“Sir,we’reat her apartment now. She’s not here. There’s a suitcase on the floor, bags everywhere, but no Payton.”
Mav took a deep breath. “And her phone is here. Payton’s gone.”
Those last two words sucked all the air from my lungs and threatened to leave me a shriveled-up shell on the floor.
No. I couldn’t let that happen.
If Payton was missing, we had to find her, no matter the cost.
30
PAYTON
The gag filled my mouth and sucked all the moisture into what felt like a rag tied around my head.
