“All right.” She knocks on the door before using her card to open it. I check inside the room to find that Irina isn’t here. Where is she then?
I go back into the lobby and look around. Security cameras. I can see where she went. I call one of my men to access the files of the hotel and to make it fast.
I pace around the lobby for an hour before he gets back to me. “She was seen going into the hotel bar with your ex-girlfriend, Simone.”
“What? Anything else?”
“She and Simone were seen leaving together. But Irina didn’t look good, like she had been drinking too much. Or…”
“Or she was drugged. Anything else?”
“I got the license plate of the car out front Simone put her into. And that’s it.”
“Thank you.” I hang up after he gives me the number. So, Simone kidnapped my wife. I broke up with her a few years ago now because I knew she had problems. Too clingy. To obsessed.
Then again, I guess I’m obsessed with my wife so I don’t have the right to judge. I drive over to Simone’s apartment and pound on her door.
She gives me a sultry grin when she opens it. “Nik. I wasn’t expecting you tonight.”
I grab her neck and slam her into the wall. “Where is my wife?”
“Nik?”
“Where is my wife?” I tighten the hold on her throat. “I know you took her. I won’t kill you if you tell me where she is.”
“You… belong with… me,” she gasps out.
“I want nothing to do with you. The only thing keeping you alive is that I don’t know where Irina is. So tell me and I’ll let you live.”
“Please.”
“Tell me.”
She scrambles at my hand but I’m not letting go. Not until I find Irina. “Fine. I’ll… tell you.”
I loosen my grip but I still hold onto her throat.
“She’s at my mother’s house. The one she gave me after she died.”
“You’re coming with me to make sure.” I force Simone out of her apartment and into my car. I tie her hands with rope I keep in my car to avoid her causing problems. Then I drive to the address she gives me.
I bring Simone with me into the house and look around, not finding Irina anywhere. But that’s when I hear a banging sound coming from one of the walls. I find a panel in the wall that opens up, revealing a door with a keypad on it.
“What’s the code?” I snarl.
Simone sighs. “5147.”
I put it in and the keypad lights up green. Irina is on the other side of the door. “Thank god,” I say, pulling her into my arms.
Irina goes still for a moment before she hugs me back tightly, like she’ll never let me go again. “Nik?” There’s hope in her voice, like she can’t quite believe it.
“I’m here, baby. I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
“I killed someone. I had to. To save my life.”
“It’s ok. I’ll handle it. You’re safe now, I promise.”
She looks into my eyes. “I believe you.” It’s the first time Irina has looked at me with something akin to love.