Adrenaline pumped through my veins, and my heart sped. I stared until my vision blurred. I had been on the floor for over an hour. As if I didn't have enough of his mind fuck, Luke dropped down to his knees and forced me to look into his eyes.

"See me," he said, and I spit in his face. The heels dug into the crease of my ass. I looked at him, chest rising and falling with every breath, as he wiped away my saliva.

"Is this what you want, Luke? You want me to see you for the fucking monster you are. I thought you were someone you weren't. I thought you cared about me. You're pathetic and jealous of your own brother. You disgust me."

He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, really slow, so controlled it scared me. Then he swiftly stood and jerked me up by the hair. I fought back screams.

With all of his strength, Luke forced me onto the bed and pinned my arms above my head. I couldn't fight him. I wouldn't. It was best to just take it. As much as I wanted to fight against him, it wouldn't get me anywhere.

Luke's face was inches above mine as he hovered over my body. His heartbeat pulsed in his neck. He forcefully restrained my wrists with one hand, while the other slid up the side of my body, touching my soft skin. His touch held so much vengeance, lust, desire.

"Do you want to die? Then learn to fucking listen to me, for once, or you'll never see my brother again, not even in your dreams," he said between gritted teeth.

"Are you threatening me?"

"It's a fucking promise, Miss Downs." And that's when Luke's hand wrapped around my throat.

Then the laughter came. My laughter.

At that moment, I knew Luke had broken me. It wasn't the tone in his voice or words, or the tight grasp he had around my throat, but the seriousness in his face and eyes that told me he was telling the truth. At that moment, I saw him for what and who he truly was, and I hated him for it.

Luketon Brand, Finnley's little brother, was out of control. A little piece of me, deep inside, told me I lay in the room where I would die by the hands of the man who I once trusted with my life.

The earliest flight left in the morning. Luke had been back in Vegas for forty-eight hours and was impossible to get in touch with. I needed to tell him that Abbot found the driver and that Jennifer was in the States somewhere, but each time his phone went to voicemail when I called. Damn it! Not the best time to be unavailable.

I packed my things and boarded the plane, then put on my Ray-Bans with the hope that no one would recognize me. No one did. When I landed in Vegas, Charlie waited for me and brought me to the office.

While we were on the elevator, my secretary turned and gave me a look. "Didn't know you were coming in today."

I crossed my arms and glared at her. I did look batshit crazy at the moment in a t-shirt and tattered blue jeans. I needed a shave and shower after that flight, but I also had a business to make sure was running properly.

"I won't be here long. Just need to take care of some things, and I left my laptop."

She smiled, and the elevator door opened. I walked to my office and pulled out Jennifer's file. A picture of her smiled back at me, and I ran my finger across her face. Why had I never taken any pictures of her? Or taken her to do fun things in New York or California? When I found her, things would change. A person never knows what they have until it was gone. Regret overtook me.

I flipped through her folder, trying to find a clue, something hidden that she didn't tell me. I knew her parents had died, but never mentioned it because I wanted her to openly talk about it when she was ready. After scanning through the pages, I slammed the folder shut, then tried to call Luke again. No answer.

I opened the laptop and sorted through emails. Jesse's job was currently unfilled, and I needed to get someone in there as soon as possible. A list of women applied, but only one caught my eye: Lori. She would be great at managing the Girls and making sure everything was in place for conventions and meetings. Plus, I got along with her fine. I picked up the phone and called Paisley.

"Have Lori meet me in my office in the next thirty minutes, and join her please."

"I didn't know you were here today. I thought you would be in London for another week."

"Had a change of plans." I hung up the phone, then walked to the window that overlooked the city and ran my fingers through my hair.

"Where are you, Jenn?" I whispered to the streets.

I looked over at the wall where I first touched her, and that hole inside of me spread, making me feel more empty. I balled my fist and punched the wall several times. My knuckles bled, but the pain helped me feel alive and regain myself. Two knocks on the door brought me back to reality.

"Come in," I said, and moved toward the edge of the desk.

When Lori saw me, the look on her face showed nothing but worry, then she glanced down at my swollen knuckles. I didn't hide them.

"Have a seat, please."

They both did.

"Thank you for appearing on such short notice. I know you applied for the management position, Lori, and I don’t want to go through the procedures, annoying interview questions, and all of that. It's a waste of my time, so I'd like to offer you the job. You're more than qualified, and I would be honored to work with you."

Her mouth dropped open and Paisley smiled.

"Are you serious?" Lori asked.

"Very."

"Yes. I would love to. I. I don't know what to say exactly. Thank you."

"The job will come with more responsibilities, a pay raise, and of course, you will not longer be on the line up. Congratulations."

"I am speechless. Thank you so much, Mr. Felton. I will not let you down."

"Paisley, please make sure to have her sign the release paperwork and transition her this week. Also, please let her Number One know as well. You'll move into Jesse's office in the corner."

"I'll get right on it," Paisley said.

"Training will need to begin immediately," I said.

Lori stood to shake my hand, and I smiled. It was the best choice. She was trustworthy, listened to direction, and cared about her job.

Before they left the room, I called Lori back in.

"I'll meet you in my office whenever you've finished," Paisley turned and said to Lori.

Before she sat, she looked over me. "You look like shit, Mr. F."

"I know."

"You didn't find her, did you?"

I sucked in a deep breath then spoke. "I did. She was with Luke."

She held back a smile, and I shook my head.

"Then was kidnapped in front of me."

She covered her mouth with her hands and gasped. "Oh my God."

"And I'm searching for her. You haven't heard anything, have you?"

"No. She never returned my calls."

"She's here, in the states, somewhere. I know that. I have to find her."

"We will."

I congratulated her once again, and she was on her way.

"Take care of yourself," she said before she left my office.

I tightened my hand into a fist and grabbed the set of keys to the BMW I had in the parking garage for situations just like this. Having an extra car at the office was necessary.

Fucking Luke would talk to me one way or another. We had important matters to discuss, and I needed to find Jennifer before something terrible happened to her.

I sped through the city streets and drove straight to his house. His Volvo was parked outside. I used the spare key to his house and let myself in. His suitcase sat by the kitchen counter and mail was spread across the top. Music leaked from upstairs. I climbed them two at a time.