Chapter 295: Finding Holly

David’s POV

The streets were a blur of red lights and horns, but I didn’t slow down. Every second stretched into eternity, my pulse hammering in my throat like it was trying to choke me.

Holly’s voicemail greeting played on loop in my head…her soft, trusting voice saying “Leave a message” and every time it cut to beep, fresh panic flooded my veins.

I shouldn’t have left her.

Not with him.

Not after the way he’d smiled through the blood.

I swerved around a taxi, tires screeching, and punched the dashboard so hard the plastic cracked. “Come on, come on, come on—”

Her building came into view too slowly, the familiar brick facade now looking like a trap. No police lights. No ambulances. Just quiet streetlamps and a couple of late-night dog walkers who scattered when I slammed to a stop halfway on the curb.

Maybe she was alright. Maybe I was just overreacting. Maybe her phone battery died… After all, I was calling her non stop all evening.

But, it still didn't make sense. Something is wrong.

I killed the engine and bolted out, not bothering to lock the car. My shoes pounded the pavement as I took the front steps two at a time, lungs burning, blood still crusted on my knuckles from Justin’s face.

I hit the front door of Holly’s building like a battering ram, shoulder first, fists pounding hard enough to rattle the frame.

“Holly! Holly, open up! It’s David!”

Nothing. No lights flicking on. No footsteps. Just the echo of my own voice bouncing back at me in the empty house.

I slammed my palm against the door again, harder. “Holly! Baby, please!”

Pain shot through my shoulder…sharp, hot…but I didn’t care. I rammed it once more, then twice. The wood didn’t budge. Solid security door. Of course it was. My shoulder throbbed like hell, but the door just laughed at me.

I stepped back, chest heaving, scanning frantically. Windows around the house had bars on them and they were locked. The side entrance was locked as well. Even the back door wouldn't budge too.

Fuck.

I yanked my phone out again, thumb hovering over 911.

I’d been hesitating throughout the drive down here.

Calling it in meant everything will unravel. Cops asking questions. Reporters digging deep into the past. My family name in headlines next to those murders, next to whatever the hell was happening tonight. The past I’d buried so deep…Jameson, the debt, the things I did…would come clawing out. My family would be exposed. Holly would see it.

And what if Justin was innocent?

What if this was a different killer? Same MO…knife work, targeted hits or even a copycat…but not him?

He doesn't even know or remember that he was the Dark Prince. The timing could be a coincidence. He might be innocent.

My mind spiraled into several questions.

What if I called the cops and it was nothing? They’d laugh me out. Or worse…what if I waited too long and something happened to her while I stood here paralyzed?

Images flashed in my head. Holly screaming and bleeding on the floor. Holly gone because I was too scared to protect her.

No.

Tyler.

Tyler lived right next door…shared a fence, practically. Maybe Holly came to spend some time with them. Maybe she's right inside, being her usual cheerful self.

I sprinted to his door, banging like a madman. “Tyler! Tyler, open up!”

I was about to give up after knocking for a while, turn back, force my way into her building somehow—

Click.

The lock turned just then.

Tyler opened the door, hair messy, wearing sweatpants and a confused scowl. “Dude, there’s a doorbell. Who the hell knocks like they’re trying to break the—”

He saw my face. Blood on my knuckles, sweat pouring, eyes wild. “David?” His annoyance faded. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry for interrupting your evening,” I panted, hands on my knees for a second to catch my breath. “Have you heard from Holly? Is she here? Anything…please, man, she might be in danger.”

Tyler blinked, leaning against the doorframe. “Danger? What are you talking about? I just saw Holly on my way in. She was leaving.”

My blood turned to ice. “When? Where’d she say she was going? Was she with anyone?”

“Woah, man, chill.” He held up both hands. “Like thirty minutes ago or so. She hopped on a bike with some dude. Didn’t say where. She looked okay enough to me.”

A bike.

I whipped around, staring at the spot where Justin’s motorcycle had been parked earlier.

Gone.

Empty space. No bike. No Justin. I hadn't even noticed before.

Where the hell did he take her?

The woods? Some abandoned spot to finish what he started? Dump her body where no one would find it?

But no…that would be stupid. Someone saw them leave together. Tyler saw them. If she turned up missing, Justin would be suspect number one. He wasn’t that dumb.

Was he?

She’s fine. She has to be fine.

I swallowed hard. “Did you see the guy’s face? The one she was with?”

Tyler sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Nah. He had his helmet on, and the visor was down. Black bike, loud as hell. Why? What’s going on?”

I leaned back against the wall, muttering, “Oh fuck, what do I do?”

Tyler stepped out, closing his door behind him. “Seriously, man. What’s really wrong? You look like you’re about to puke. Did something happen? Is Holly okay?”

Part of me wanted to tell him. Spill it all. To ask for help. But I couldn't bring myself to. Where do I even start from?

No. I have to call the police. Something bad is happening. I know it. Justin might harm Holly…that can't happen.

What kind of man would that make me?

Just as I reached for my phone again—

Vroom.

The deep, familiar roar of a motorcycle cut through the night.

Headlights sliced across the street, bright and blinding, coming straight toward us.

I swallowed hard and stepped forward.