Destiny: Hilltops Series - Book One

by Faith Starr

  “Jordin.”

  My luck, the asshole exited his office at the same time I headed to see my therapist down the hall. “Casey looks great. I just left the hospital. Alicia says she can’t wait to get out of that place.”

  “Yes. I’m already aware of that. I’m hopeful that this incident has made her forget about her plans to switch internships and do research for the department.”

  The look of disbelief on my face was a definite requirement. “My gosh, you’re such a selfish man.” I had disgust written all over me.

  “I’m getting tired of your attitude.”

  “I really don’t give a shit anymore, Dr. Sloan. I’m just happy that my best friend is alive and going home.”

  I didn’t bother to wait for a response. I walked ahead of him and straight into Dr. Carmichael’s office. I didn’t look back either. He didn’t deserve any more of my attention.

  My session was fantastic. I had a great deal of clarity and felt like I was in a better place emotionally. With key in hand, I made my way out to the parking lot. I couldn’t wait to see Noah for dinner. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day.

  When I pushed the Unlock button on my key fob, an eerie sensation overtook me.

  Huh?

  I spun around quickly. Then everything went dark.

  74

  Noah

  Tardiness was a pet peeve of mine. I left the office a little later than expected, so I promptly texted Jordin to inform her. Oddly, she didn’t respond. I also tried calling her cell a few times, but it went straight to voice mail. She didn’t answer her door when I knocked either. How strange. I stood in front of it and tried to think of the different possibilities about where she could be. That’s when I remembered she was friends with her neighbor. Unfortunately, he didn’t answer his door either.

  This was very unlike Jordin. She was always responsible and punctual. I checked my phone again to make sure I hadn’t missed any messages from her—nothing.

  Leaning against the wall next to her door, I rubbed my chin, starting to get a bit worried. I didn’t do the worry thing, for the most part. I was usually the calm and collected one in a crisis, but Jordin not being where she was supposed to be did a damn good job of making me feel that way.

  It suddenly occurred to me she had said she was seeing her therapist at six. Fuck. I hoped she hadn’t been in an accident or anything. With that disturbing thought, a trip to the university was mandatory.

  Luckily, there were no cops on the road, because I flew. I had no clue where her therapist’s office was but figured I would go to the same building I had gone to the first time I took her out to dinner.

  “May I help you?” The homely woman sitting at the front desk smiled brightly at me. I questioned her about Jordin, and after getting nothing out of her, I asked if Sloan was in his office.

  “Who shall I say is calling?” Maybe she would help me out. She still donned a smile from ear to ear, clearly leaning forward in the hopes I would look down her blouse. As much as I was a breast man, I had no interest.

  “Noah. Noah Dorian.”

  “One minute, please.”

  She stared up at me while phoning him.

  “His office is up ahead on the right.”

  I knew my right from left, there was no need for the hand gesture.

  “Thank you.”

  I made the short walk, seeing Sloan’s nameplate mounted on his door.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure, Noah?” The jackass sat on a piece-of-shit sofa with one leg crossed over the other.

  “I figured you’d be at the hospital with your daughter.”

  “If you figured that, then why’re you in my office right now?”

  Fucking smartass.

  “I wanted to know if you’ve seen Jordin.”

  “Yes. I’ve seen Jordin.”

  Oh thank God, my heart finally regained a steady rhythm again.

  “You seem to have made quite a transformation on her.”

  The cocky son of a bitch stood and walked over to me, stopping in front of me.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means she used to be polite and respectable with a bright future ahead of her here at the university, but unfortunately, she’s become quite arrogant in nature.”

  Bad choice, buddy. “Listen here, you piece of shit, I better not ever hear again that you placed a hand on her. You’re lucky I don’t beat the shit out of you right now.” My hands balled up into fists, begging for permission to do so.

  “Go ahead. I would want nothing more than to throw your ass in a prison cell.”

  “You’re not worth it.”

  “Your little prodigy better watch herself. She’s walking a fine line right now.”

  He pushed all my buttons. I had to breathe to calm myself down. I didn’t want to do anything I would regret later.

  “So are you. Don’t think I don’t know about your little whores here in the office.”

  “Are you threatening me, Noah?” He crossed his arms in front of him.

  “Are you threatening Jordin, Robert?” I crossed my arms in front of me.

  “Don’t fuck with me.”

  “Ditto. Have a good evening.” I turned to leave. Obviously, he wasn’t going to give me any answers about Jordin’s whereabouts.

  “I wonder if Jordin is.”

  Freeze. I approached him. We were now face-to-face. “Excuse me? What did you say?”

  “Not a thing.”

  His smug smile, along with that comment, was the final straw.

  “Where’s Jordin, you motherfucker!” I pushed him against the wall, a few college degrees framed in glass falling on the floor and shattering as a result. Maybe he would fall down and cut himself on them, the piece of shit.

  “Get your hands off me!”

  “Not until you tell me where she is.” His collar was up by his ears, but I wasn’t about to release him until I had an answer.

  “I don’t know where she is. I saw her walking to her car earlier when I retrieved something from mine. I noticed a woman approach her but I didn’t give it a second thought, especially since Jordin’s not on top of my priority list. Now would you please mind getting your hands off me?”

  “In a minute. What woman?” I squeezed harder. A little intimidation never hurt anyone.

  “How the fuck should I know?”

  “Did you happen to notice if Jordin was in any type of danger?”

  “No. But that little bitch deserves whatever comes her way.”

  Enough said. Action spoke louder than words. His nose now bled and he sat on the pile of glass, my hand throbbing but thanking me just the same.

  “That little bitch saved your daughter’s life, for Christ’s sake. Don’t even think of ever stepping foot inside my club again. Your days there are finished, and when I get through with you, your days here will be as well.”

  He was a pathetic excuse of a man who currently held his nose to try and stop the blood from dripping out of it.

  “You son of a bitch! I think you broke my nose.”

  I left him on the floor with the broken glass and fished my phone out of my pocket. I texted Derek to inform him of my location and that I needed both him and Watson pronto. I also asked him to call the police ASAP.

  “I’m going to find Jordin Turner, and you’re going to help me.”

  “I’m going to go and visit my wife and daughter at the hospital as soon as I clean myself up.” He struggled to get up, wincing as he withdrew a piece of glass that had lodged itself in his hand. “Good luck with your search. You’re lucky I don’t press charges against you for assault and battery.” He walked over to the coffee table and pulled tissues out of the box to help with the blood.

  “You just better pray Jordin’s safe or else your life is about to get ugly.”

  “Excuse me, Dr. Sloan?” The homely girl was back, this time, minus the smile. “Oh my goodness! Are you okay!” She looked from me to him and then at the floo
r where all the glass was shattered.

  “I’m fine. What in the hell do you want!”

  “There are some police officers at the front desk. They said there was a call.” She covered her mouth, clearly in a state of shock.

  “Thank you.”

  I stepped around her and made my way to the cops. There were two of them. They must’ve either been on campus or close by to have gotten here this quickly. It sure was nice to know people in big places, with Watson being on top of that list right now.

  75

  Jordin

  My heart pounded so hard, I had difficulty catching my breath. I wouldn’t let her know that though. I had to put on a brave front. “What do you want from me? Why’re you doing this?”

  “Because I refuse to lose you, especially to Noah Dorian.”

  What? I was completely taken aback by her response, from the confines of the chair I was bound to, my wrists and ankles already getting chafed from trying to break free.

  “How do you know about Noah?”

  “Oh, I know a lot of things about you, Jordin Turner, student and small-town girl who moved to a big city for college and whose best friend is currently in the hospital.”

  If my heart beat any harder, I would probably suffer a heart attack. My body broke out in a sweat, my limbs trembled. I had officially entered panic mode.

  “How do you know about Casey?”

  “Because like you, I also do research. I would be a much better friend to you and appreciate you so much more than she ever did. We could also be more if you so desired.” She angled her head slightly to the side, a tinge of flirtation in her eyes.

  This was just too much. She was completely disassociated from reality. Who knew what she was capable of while in this state?

  “I can be your friend too.” Maybe pacifying her would be more productive than fighting her. “By the way, where are we?” I knew it was an apartment. There was a stained flower-patterned couch with a chipped wooden coffee table in front of it. A small flat-screen television sat on a folding table. The carpet was filthy, the old-fashioned drapes pulled to keep it dark, the only light coming from a small lamp sitting on a piece-of-shit table in the corner. The place was a dump.

  “At a friend’s place.”

  “Does this friend know you have me here?”

  She showed no signs of fear or intimidation which meant I had to keep it together and do the same while she paced back and forth in front of me as though trying to figure out her next move.

  “No. The friend’s out of town.”

  “Does the friend know we’re here?”

  She stopped and faced me, a bit of impatience evident. “Does it matter?”

  “Does it matter that you’re holding me against my will in the apartment of someone who may not even know we’re in it? How long do you plan on keeping me here like this anyway?”

  “I haven’t thought about it yet. This was the only part of the plan that was premeditated.”

  And the pacing resumed.

  “So here we are. Now what? You can’t just leave me tied up like this.”

  The rope securing my wrists had probably drawn blood by this point.

  “I’ll keep you tied up until I figure out what to do next. Now please stop stressing me out with all your psychobabble bullshit.”

  Breathe.

  Her exasperated sighs and pursed lips signaled she was getting agitated. That was definitely not my intention.

  “I don’t get it. You were doing so well.”

  “I was, and you were the cause of that, but then you decided to cut my days down to once a week and wouldn’t let me see you more when you knew damn well I needed to. What kind of friend does that?”

  She stood a foot in front of me, her brow furrowed in wonder, waiting for my response. The old coffee smell on her breath had me closing my eyes and scrunching my face in repulsion.

  “I didn’t cut your days down. The clinic cut your days down. I’m only an intern. You know that. I have no say in how many visits a client can receive.”

  “You’re my fucking therapist. You should’ve fought for me like I’m doing for you right now!”

  Ugh! Some of her spit hit my glasses. I turned my head away from her and took a deep breath, swallowing to push the bile back down. Vomiting would only make matters worse.

  “I tried. I already told you that. I’m on your side. I always have been. And any time you needed me, I was there for you.”

  Cool and collected was my game plan. I was back on track. I didn’t want her mood to escalate any more than it already had.

  “No, you weren’t. It’s been a one-way street. You won’t even talk to me about your future plans, but I know now. I know how you plan to leave the clinic and work at the university. That means I won’t be able to see you at all. So you never intended to always be there for me. You were lying. I need you in my life and you need me, but instead of us working together, you’re trying to fight it. Can’t you see it was destiny that brought us together?”

  Through my spot-filled glasses, I looked at her. Gross. An antiseptic wipe would’ve been good about now, as well as a knife to cut the rope and a syringe filled with sedatives to knock her out.

  “I haven’t made any decisions about a job, but regardless, I’ll be at the clinic until May. That still gives us plenty of time to work together.”

  Like that was going to happen anyway. Forget rehab, she was going straight into a psychiatric hospital. That was, if I got out of here alive.

  76

  Noah

  “Dr. Sloan, can you please provide us with any details about the woman you saw approach Ms. Turner before she went missing?” Officer Ramsey scribbled something on a notepad.

  Watson and Derek had showed up several minutes after the cops arrived. They stood next to me. This wasn’t Watson’s territory or jurisdiction, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t stand by and intimidate the son of a bitch.

  “I wasn’t that close. I saw her from a distance.” The asshole sat in a chair in his office, blotting his nose with a tissue.

  Ramsey stopped writing and acknowledged Sloan. “Did you suspect anything out of the ordinary when you saw the woman approach her?”

  He shook his head. “My thoughts have been somewhat preoccupied. My daughter’s presently in the hospital, and I’ve been worried sick about her, so I’ve been a little distracted.”

  Props to him. He actually sounded convincing. Too bad I knew the truth.

  “You’re so full of shit, you lying bastard!”

  Derek’s hands on my chest with him blocking me were the only things stopping me from going at Sloan again.

  “Noah, please.” Watson’s hand firmly squeezed my arm.

  “Fine.” I bounced from foot to foot in anger.

  Sloan shrugged. “I didn’t recognize the woman. Her hair was pulled back. I think it was brown. She approached Jordin from behind. The next thing I knew she assisted Jordin into her car.”

  “Did you notice if Ms. Turner was conscious when the woman helped her get inside the vehicle?” Ramsey asked.

  “I’m not sure. They stood close together.”

  “Did you see the car pull away?”

  “No.” Sloan shook his head again.

  “Did you see who was in the driver’s seat?”

  “No. Like I told you, I saw the woman assist Jordin into the car, and then I left.”

  My blood boiled. Watson must’ve sensed it because she squeezed my arm again, eyeing me, clearly reminding me to keep it together while the cop wrote a few more notes in his little book. This was fucking ridiculous. We still had no answers, and every minute was a minute too long. We had to find Jordin.

  “And you didn’t think anything was odd about that scenario?” the officer asked, holding his pen upright.

  “Again, my daughter’s in the hospital and my mind is preoccupied.”

  “Dr. Sloan, from what I gather so far, you noticed a woman approach Ms. Turner from behind in the par
king lot. Then you saw the woman aid Ms. Turner in getting into her vehicle. Before witnessing this, did you notice if Ms. Turner was in any distress that may’ve required her to need assistance getting inside her vehicle?”

  Sloan’s eyes narrowed, his lips tightening. “What’re you getting at?”

  “I’m simply asking a question. Did Ms. Turner seem to require assistance walking to her vehicle prior to the woman approaching her?”

  Sloan shook his head for the umpteenth time.

  “You told me you saw her walking to her car and that a woman approached. You also said Jordin deserves whatever comes her way!” I couldn’t remain silent any longer. Sloan was a fucking liar.

  The cop raised his brows. “So you did see Ms. Turner walking to the vehicle prior to the woman approaching?”

  “Yes. I already said that.”

  “But you didn’t answer my question. Was Ms. Turner walking without assistance to her car prior to the woman approaching her?”

  “Yes.” Sloan nodded in frustration.

  “And then you said she needed help getting inside the vehicle?” The cop reiterated for clarification.

  “That’s what I said.”

  The cop jotted something else down. “And did you tell Mr. Dorian that Ms. Turner deserves whatever comes her way?”

  Sloan eyed me, his face flushed, his jaw clenched in anger while responding. “Yes, I did.”

  “What did you mean by that?”

  “Why do I feel like I’m on trial right now?” Sloan put his hand out in question.

  “I’m merely gathering information, but it seems there’s more to this story than you’re telling us.”

  “I’ve told you all I know. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to go and see my daughter at the hospital.”

  “Very well. We’ll be in touch if we have any additional questions. Here’s my card. If you think of anything else that might help us, please give me a call.” He handed Sloan the card.