Page 1 of Secrets (The Sins Trilogy 2)
Chapter One
Anthony
I hit the number for Iris as I rush through the corridor of aquariums. She doesn’t pick up. Panic spikes my blood, drying my mouth.
Is she already with Sam? That motherfucker didn’t go to the trouble of setting everything up like this just to hand a check over to Elizabeth’s foundation.
I try to text, but my fingers are too clumsy. What I send has so many typos, I doubt Iris will understand a word.
No response.
Damn it.
I burst out of the restaurant. One of La Mer’s valets says, “Your ticket, sir?”
I tunnel my fingers into my hair, ready to tear it out. I fucking hate valet parking. Where’s TJ? Sometimes he just sits in the car if he thinks I won’t be long, but sometimes he takes a break or has lunch. Shit.
Then I see the Cullinan pulling in. Thank God. The valet reaches over to open the door, but I shove him out of the way, opening the door myself and jumping in.
TJ is already pulling away. “Where to?”
“Peacher & Son,” I say, calling Sam’s office with one hand and using the other to slam the door shut.
“Peacher & Son, Sam Peacher’s office. How may I help you?” comes a pleasant female voice.
“Is Iris there?” I demand.
“I’m sorry, but who?”
Either she’s playing dumb or she has no clue. “His niece. I know she went to see him.”
“Oh. Mr. Peacher is taking the day off.”
“So he’s home?”
“I can’t tell you that. If you’d like to lea—”
I hang up. This is so much worse. At least in the office, Sam couldn’t do anything rash—too many witnesses.
But now… Iris could be anywhere. How the hell could I have been so careless? That bastard tried to browbeat her into leaving the country. Even packed a couple of Iris’s bags, and would’ve dragged her to the airport and put her on a plane if I hadn’t shown up. People who’re willing to go that far don’t just give up. They try again and again. How many times did he try to get Mother to invest with him until he succeeded?
Idiot. Should’ve known better. If anything happens to her, it’ll be your fault.
I bite my lip until I taste blood.
“Not to Peacher & Son?” TJ says.
“No.” Iris, where are you?
If I can’t reach her in time… I press the heel of my palm against my brow. I can’t even think about the possibility. It’s too horrific. A text pings my phone, and I jump, praying it’s Iris, telling me she’s okay.
It’s from Elizabeth. Iris went to Sam’s mansion. She adds the address.
I recite it to TJ. “Go as fast as you can.” To my shock, my voice is shaking—pleading. I quit pleading nine years ago when I realized nothing could bring her back.
Have to get there in time to stop Sam.
The SUV weaves through the Los Angeles traffic. Acid seems to drip into my veins with every second that ticks by. My nails dig into my palms. I’m a fucking moron. I should’ve hired an army of guards to keep Iris safe.
