Heat by Nicolina Martin

Author:Nicolina Martin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dark Heart Pen Publications

Fifteen

Nathan

I toss the butt of the cig in the muddy water in the gutter and blow out the last of the smoke, watching it dissipate in the air.

It’s five past nine. Where the fuck is Sydney?

She wouldn’t dare be late, would she? And Juan would be on time. I wonder if something has happened to her. Thumbing up Juan’s number in my contact list, I pace the dirty sidewalk as I wait for him to pick up.

“Yes, Mr. Russo.”

“Where the fuck are you?”

“She hasn’t shown, sir.”

A hint of worry flutters through my chest. Did she bail on me? I can’t believe it. I don’t believe it. “Come pick me up instead.” I hang up and phone the hotel.

“Did Miss Lewis check out?”

“No sir, she has not checked out.”

I frown. “When was the last time you saw her?”

“This morning, sir.”

What the fuck? The flutter is back, mixed with unease and a growing anger. I glance around me, but it’s been a minute at most, Juan will take ten.

“I want you to physically walk up to her room now and see if she is there.”

What if something did happen? Fuck!

“Yes, sir.”

I listen to silence and the occasional rustle and slam in the background.

“I regret to inform you it seems Miss Lewis has left her room.”

“Left? What do you mean left? Did she go out?” My heart speeds up. I’m just stalling. I know exactly what he’s going to say.

“No, sir. I don’t think so. It appears all her belongings are gone. I believe she has left us.”

What. The. Fuck?

I have to force myself to unclench my tightened jaw. Really, Sydney?

“What’s your name?”

“Me, sir? I’m Carlos.”

“Carlos. I need you to locate Miss Lewis for me. Start with Santo Domingo, all hotels, three stars and up.”

“But—”

“I’ll make it worth your while. If you find her within an hour, you won’t have to work for the rest of your life.”

Carlos is dead silent. I wait. At the far end of the street a car comes speeding.

“Where can I reach you, sir?”

“I’ll contact you.” I hang up as Juan pulls up next to me, hops out and opens the door. As I pocket the phone, I realize I’m shaking. I’m not used to being rejected and I can’t sort how I feel about that. Memories of the boy who never heard a loving word from a single person as he grew up gnaws at my soul, the boy who lost his childhood, and all his innocence much too early. I’m not usually this emotional. It’s like the lines of my life have aligned, as if a perfect storm is brewing.

“Take me to the fucking warehouse, Juan.” I slide in the backseat and close my eyes as the car begins to roll. If I can’t fuck Sydney, I’m going to get Diego to talk. If I do find Sydney Lewis again, it’ll be better for her if I’ve spent this dark energy on someone else first.

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