Daniel’s POV
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1 hadn’t heard from Christiana in days, which was odd, but I told myself she needed space. After everything that had happened, with Alex back in the picture and all the emotions running high, I figured she might need some time to figure things out. So, I stayed away. Gave her room. But something gnawed at me. A gut feeling I couldn’t shake.
It was nearing afternoon when I finally decided enough was enough. I needed to see her, or at least the kids. Maybe she was overwhelmed, maybe she was just being cautious whatever it was, I’d feel better once I checked in on them.
I took the elevator up to the suite, my mind running through a dozen possible reasons for her silence. But none of them prepared me for what I was about to hear.
The door opened, and it wasn’t Christiana standing there. It was the nanny. Her face was pale, eyes wide, almost frantic. Something was wrong–seriously wrong.
“Sir!” she gasped, clutching the doorframe. Her voice was shaky, and I instantly tensed, my heart pounding in my chest.
“What’s going on? Where’s Christiana?” I asked, stepping forward, my voice firmer than I felt. A pit of dread was forming in
my stomach.
The nanny swallowed hard, wringing her hands as she spoke. “She..she’s been kidnapped. The words hit me like a ton of bricks, and for a second, I couldn’t breathe.
“What?!” I growled, my voice sharper than I intended. “Kidnapped? By who?”
She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. I–I don’t know, sir. It happened yesterday afternoon. Some masked men took her… the driver, Mark, saw it happen, but, he couldn’t do anything. They just…” She choked on her words. “They took
her.
I stood there, frozen, my mind racing. Christiana… kidnapped? That wasn’t possible. Not her. Not like this.
“How could this happen!” I muttered under my breath, my hands clenched into fists. “Why didn’t anyone tell me sooner?”
“I’m so sorry, sir,” the nanny whispered, wiping her eyes. “Everything’s been a mess. Alex came and took the kids. They’ve been with him since..since it happened. The kids were terrified, crying. He thought it was best to keep them safe with him. for the time being.
Alex. Of course. He swooped in and took control the minute something happened. My jaw tightened at the thought, but right now, that wasn’t what mattered. Christiana was out there. somewhere..and she needed help.
“I.I didn’t think to call you, the nanny stammered. “Everything was just so chaotic…
“Don’t worry about it,” I said, waving her off, though my head was still spinning. I wasn’t angry at her, not really. I was just numb. “I need to think.”
1 paced the living room, every instinct in me screaming to do something manything. My anfnd flashed through scenarios, questions, possible motives. Why would someone take her? Was it random? No, that didn’t make sense. Christiana wasn’t just anyone. Someone planned this. But why?
The nanny was still talking, her voice shaky and unsure. “The police were informed. Mr. Alex has… well, he’s doing everything he can.”“,
Of course he was. Alex was a man who took charge, and while I had no doubt he was doing his best, I couldn’t just stand by. I needed to act. This wasn’t just about Alex. This was about Christina, and I wasn’t going to let her slip away,
“Do you know if there’s been any contact? Ransom demands?” I asked, turning sharply toward her, my voice urgent. “Has
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18:15 Fri, Oct 18
Chapter 86
anyone tried to reach out??
She shook her head again, looking lost. “No. Nothing yet. Just… nothing”
I cursed under my breath, frustration building, “I can’t just sit here. I muttered to myself. “I need to find her.”
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For a moment. I felt completely powerless. The woman I cared about, the mother of two beautiful children, was missing. taken by people who meant her harm. And I had no idea where to start. But I couldn’t let that stop me.
I turned back to the nanny, trying to soften my expression. “Thank you for telling me. I’ll… I’ll figure this out.”
She nodded, still looking rattled “Please bring her back
I gave her a brief nod, though my mind was already racing toward what I had to do next. I didn’t know who was responsible, but I had resources. I had connections. And I wasn’t going to resicuntil I found her.
My jaw hardened. Christiana wasn’t just anyone to me. She was everything. And I’d be damned if I let anyone take her away without a fight.
11
I left the hotel suite, my thoughts swirling like a storm I couldn’t contain. Christiana, kidnapped. The reality of it hit me like a freight train. It didn’t make sense. Who would dare? And why? She wasn’t involved in anything dangerous, at least nothing I knew of, but maybe Alex’s past had dragged her into something darker than I imagined.
My heart pounded in my chest, anger and fear mixing together, I couldn’t stand the idea of her being out there, held by strangers, probably lied. I clenched my lists as I headed to the police station. I needed answers. I needed to know every detail. Someone had to do more than just wait around.
As I walked in, the officer at the front desk gave me a curious look. I didn’t have time for pleasantries.
“I’m here to report a kidnapping,” I said, my voice firm, pushing past the edge of fear creeping up my throat.
The officer raised an eyebrow, flipping open a notepad. “A kidnapping, you say? Who’s been taken?”
“Christiana Davis,” Her name felt heavy on my tongue, like saying it out loud made everything more real. “She was kidnapped yesterday.”
His expression shifted, recognizing the gravity of the situation. Mr. Brooks, correct?”
I nodded, impatient. “Yes, Daniel Brooks. We need to move fast. Every second counts.”
The officer’s fingers hovered over the keyboard as he started typing, but then he stopped and looked up at me. “It’s already been reported.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “What? By who?”
“Mr. Alex Alistair,” he replied calmly, as if that name would ease the tension.
Alex, of course. Always one step ahead. My jaw tightened, but I kept my composure. “I see. And what’s being done? Has there been any progress?”
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. “We’re investigating, sir. We’ve got units combing the area and gathering any potential Jeads. Mr. Alistair has been quite… proactive, as you can imagine.
Proactive. That’s one way to put it. While I was standing around trying to figure out what to do, Alex was already knee–deep in action. Not that it surprised me. The man was relentless. I could feel the frustration bubbling beneath my calm exterior.
“What about ransom demands?” I pressed. “Has there been any communication?”
The officer shook his head. “Not yet. We’re waiting on any form of contact, but so far, nothing”
Chapter 86
I let out a breath, a mix of disappointment and frustration. “This isn’t enough. Waiting around for someone to make a isn’t enough.” My voice was rising, but I didn’t care. “She’s out there. She could be hurt. We can’t just sit around hoping something happens.”
The officer straightened up, clearly sensing my impatience. “Sir, I understand you’re upset, but these things take time. doing everything we can.”
“Time isn’t on our side.” I snapped, my anger spilling over. “Every minute she’s out there, her life is in danger. You need do more.
I was met with a sympathetic look, but that wasn’t what I wanted I needed action, not platitudes.
“Look, I muttered, rubbing my temples, trying to calm down. Tm not here to argue. Just… keep me informed. I want to know everything as soon as you hear it.”
The officer nodded. “We will Mr. Brooks. We’ll reach out if we have any updates.”
1 gave him a curt nod and stormed out of the station, my thoughts racing. Alex had beaten me to it, again, but I couldn’t that stop me. Christiana needed everyone working on this, and I wasn’t about to stand on the sidelines.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Matt, my trusted friend who handled cases like this. He picked up on the first ring
“Matt, 1 barked, not bothering with a greeting. “I need you to dig into something for me. A woman whom I acquainted w has been kidnapped. Her name is Christiana Davis. I don’t care what strings you have to pull or who you need to talk to, E I need to know everything…who’s involved, possible motives, all of it.”
There was a brief pause on the other end, then Matt replied, his tone steady and professional. “I’ll get on it immediately. Daniel. I’ll keep you updated.”
“Good” I said, hanging up. I trusted Matt to handle the logistics, but that didn’t ease the knot in my chest. It felt like I wast doing enough.
As I walked back to my car, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Christiana, with her fierceness and gentle heart, stuck in son cold, dark place. Alone. Vulnerable. And all I could do was wait for the next move. But I’d do more than wait. I’d push. I’d fight. I’d tear apart anyone who dared to hurt her.
Alex might be taking charge with the authorities, but I wasn’t going to sit back and let him have the last word. Christiana wasn’t just a
concern to me..she was everything. And I wasn’t about to let anyone take her from me without a fight.
passing com
