Page 60 of A Villain’s Lies

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Chapter20

Where, oh where is she?

Grayson

The bed is empty.

That’s my first thought when I reach my hand out across the mattress for Avani and find the bed cold.

She’s no longer there.

The sun hasn’t risen, so it’s still nighttime. Sitting up, I look for her bag and see it’s also gone.

She ran.

I should have known better.

Unfortunately, Avani doesn’t know me well enough to want to make a promise to me and keep it.

Even though a small part of me was hoping she would.

Getting out of bed and pulling on my clothes, something falls out of my pocket—a small piece of paper. Opening it, I see her handwriting.

Four simple words stare back at me.

Don’t look for me.

I would like to say I’m a man of my word, but let’s be real, I’m not. I’m a liar and a killer. So keeping my word isn’t high on my agenda.

I open the door and walk out, pressing call on her number as I do. A robotic-sounding recorded response is all I get. “Sorry, this phone number has been disconnected.”

Well, there you go. Of course, this woman has all the smarts, but I knew she did, didn’t I?

She’s probably done this before.

Multiple times.

And this time is simply the icing on the cake.

I call my brother. Jake answers and tells me he hasn’t heard from Avani, and if she is gone, not to search for her.

Easier said than done.

I will find her.

And I will get to keep her.

She’s the only thing in this life that has made me feel somewhat good.

Annoyed most of the time, but good.

I will find you, Avani.

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