Boss Me (Private Listing #3)

She takes Dante’s hand and they disappear down the hallway. I need to get back. I turn to find my way back to the party, except I really didn’t pay attention to how we got here. Well, fuck.

Noah

Nothing got decided, but we head back into the benefit. Until we get back to the apartment and can include Madison in the discussion, Coop and Madison are currently engaged. Fuck.

I don’t think Coop was truly thinking when he threw that out there. But it fucks everything up. Because Coop’s not marrying anyone, especially when his mother hears about it. Victoria Graham is a storm to be reckoned with. Not even Coop has much luck against her.

But Coop has a point. Why do we have to hide our relationship? So what if a few customers leave? Why can’t we live our lives the way we want to? Date who we want to and not have to put on a dog and pony show to protect the one we love?

When we reach the table, the only person there is Elizabeth. Her expectations for this evening clearly haven’t been met. She has a fresh glass of wine in her hand. Her eyes are a little glassy as she glances over all of us before her calculating gaze settles on Seth.

Seth nods to her but looks out at the crowded dance floor. It’s hard to see in the dim light.

Elizabeth sighs and lifts her wineglass. “If you’re looking for your other dates, they disappeared down that hallway with a very determined man.”

“What?” Blake’s eyes widen, and he’s already headed that direction with Coop on his heels.

The stalker? My chest tightens.

Seth and I exchange looks before taking off after them. The hallway continues on in multiple directions. The women could be anywhere.

Kayla rounds a corner, breathless. “Have you seen Madison? She was just behind me.”

My heart clenches as I shove past the guys. “Where’s Madison? Where’s Sara?”

“Oh.” Kayla blushes and looks down before a small smile plays on her lips. “Well, there’s this guy. His name’s Dante and he dragged Sara off that way. Madison and I tried to help her.”

“Where’s Madison?” Blake growls.

“I don’t know. I’m sorry, Blake.” Kayla glances around. Her eyes tear up. “She was right behind me, and then I turned around and she was gone.”

“We need to split up.” Seth nods to all of us. “She can’t have gone far.”

“She wouldn’t have wandered off on her own.” Coop’s fists are tight against his sides.

“Someone would have stopped anyone from dragging her out of the museum.” I try to remain rational. I try to keep my cool, but this is Madison. My heart is racing and my blood thunders in my ears.

“I’ll check with security.” Blake heads off the way we came.

“She was right behind me,” Kayla murmurs to Coop. Tears roll down her cheeks. “This guy took Sara from the dance floor, and we were both following to help her. I didn’t mean to go too fast. I thought Madison was right there.”

Coop pats her on the back. “We just need to find Madison. Now.”

Coop’s eyes meet mine. We’re on the same page. This is our girl.

“Show us where you last saw her.” Seth takes Kayla’s arm. She leads us to where she lost sight of her.

“Kayla, check the ladies’ rooms, just in case.” Seth sighs and runs a hand over his hair.

I’m sure we all have the same bad feeling coursing through us.

Seth directs each of us to branch out. I barely keep myself from yelling her name as I hurry down the darkened hallways. As I turn a corner, someone stumbles into me, almost knocking me down.

“Watch it.” The guy staggers to the side and keeps going.

A faint moan comes from around the corner. Fuck. My heart feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest as I rush forward.

“It’s okay,” a voice says.