True Choices: A Dark Romance (True Series Book 3)

by Madison, Willow

  But she's not here, and she left the bathroom a mess. My anger is peaking again. She's really pushing it. I walk quickly down the hall to the den. No Lucy. Guest room. Bathroom. Terrace. No Lucy. I walk back to the kitchen and grab my phone off the counter. No texts, no calls.

  Goddammit, little girl. Good news or not, you are getting an ass beating when you get home! Where the fuck are you?! I dial her cell and her voice picks up right away.

  "This is Lucy. Leave a message."

  I hang up without leaving one. She'll see my call and know she's in trouble.

  I check the voicemail on the home phone.

  "Hi, guys! Just calling to see how you're feeling today, sweetie. And how your doctor's visit went...Fingers crossed!" Her Mom. She knows we've been trying for three months. Lucy talked to her yesterday.

  "Hi, Max. Lucy. Give us a call when you're finished with your appointment today. We're thinking happy healthy thoughts for you, Lucy! Love you both!" My Mom. I told her last night about the appointment.

  "Hello. This message is for Lucy Traeger. This is Dr. Patel's office. You've missed your scheduled appointment with us today. Please call our office to reschedule at your earliest convenience. Per our office policy, you will be charged our late cancellation fee of $50 for this missed appointment. Thank you."

  A cold steel rod raps around my stomach, stabbing my balls. She missed her appointment?

  "Hey, baby. Call me if you have news. I'm stuck in damn contract negotiations again, but I'll pick up. Oh...I'll grab a pizza for us before the concert. Wear your green dress. I love you, baby." My message. She didn't listen to it. She didn't listen to any of these.

  "Hey, Luce. You haven't answered your texts, so I'm hoping it's because you and Max are celebrating...some good news maybe?! Call me!" Laura.

  I pick up the phone and dial her again.

  "...Leave a message." Her happy, sweet girl voice. The steel tightens.

  "Lucy. You better call me right back if you know what's good for you, little girl." All my anger, my fear trembles into my message.

  I text her the same.

  I wait a minute. No response. I call Laura first.

  "Hey!" Laura's excitement loosens the steel a little.

  "Hey, Laura. Is Lucy with you?" I try to sound controlled, not angry, not afraid. Maybe she wanted to share her good news with her best friend...

  "What? No...I thought you were Lucy calling me back. I haven't heard from her since yesterday..."

  I can't breathe. I can't speak. Where the fuck is my wife?!

  "Max? Where's Lucy?"

  "I...I don't know." My vision swims and I grab the counter. Shit.

  In six months of marriage...I've never not known where she was.

  "I have to check with a few more people...I'll call you back." I hang up before she can say anything more.

  I go to the den and start up my computer. Trying to slow my breathing while waiting. I don't wait well. Finally. I start up the monitoring app I installed on her phone.

  No messages or calls answered today. My message stares back at me. Not even picked up. Nothing is picked up.

  The GPS shows the phone is stopped near her doctor's office.

  But she missed her appointment.

  What the fuck are you doing, little girl?!

  I walk back to the bedroom. Put my shoes back on. Grab my coat.

  In the kitchen I grab my wallet and keys. I text Jeff to meet me downstairs. I'll get in a cab if he isn't here first.

  I dial, "Jake. No. Stop....I need your help." He listens as I give him directions.

  .....

  "She's not here, Max. There's no body here." The darkened office buildings sentinel over me. Crushing my heart, pinning the steel rod into me more.

  I try her cell again, no answer. No whistle ringtone. I've tried up and down the street. "She's got to be here, Jeff." I hear the weakness. I hear the anger. Fear. Pain.

  I sent Jake back to the apartment in case she showed up there. He hasn't heard anything.

  Jeff stops in front of a garbage bin.

  "It's time to call the police, Max." His voice is cold. He puts his hand up to stop me from reaching into the bin. Halfway down, on a pile of papers and food, the blue light of Lucy's phone is sitting on top of her purse. He looks at me, but I'm not seeing him through the tunnel of darkness. "Don't touch anything. I'll call a friend on the force." He turns away and I don't hear him, frozen in place.