Chapter 303: Where Are You, Holly?

David’s POV

I woke up all sore, every muscle screaming like I’d been hit by a truck. But it was the good kind of sore…the kind that came from Holly riding me like she was trying to break us both early this morning. Her nails down my back, her hips grinding, me cursing her name while I bucked up into her until neither of us could speak.

After everything I’d dumped on her…the truth about Justin, the fear, the whole damn mess…she’d looked me dead in the eyes and said she got it. She understood. It was safe to say she really understood me now. For the first time, I felt like we weren’t just in a messy sticky situation. We were solid.

My phone started buzzing like crazy on the nightstand.

Norman.

I grabbed it fast so it wouldn’t disturb her own call. She was curled up in the sheets, talking to someone. No way was I letting her hear whatever fresh nightmare this call was about. She didn’t need to panic. Not after she accepted me and my demons. Not after she nursed me all through the night.

I slipped out of bed quiet as I could, pulled on my sweatpants, and headed straight for the guest room down the hall. Shut the door behind me. “Norman, what’s going on?”

Earlier, before the sun was even fully up, I’d snuck out to the mall for supplies…some food, painkillers, whatever I felt was lacking. I wanted her to be comfortable and satisfied.

My gut had been in knots the whole time I was out while she was sleeping. What if he came while I was gone? I couldn’t risk it. So I’d locked the front door from the outside, deadbolt and all, and grabbed the spare key from the hiding spot only Justin knew about. Holly had been locked in safely.

When I got back we’d unlocked everything, talked, made love, crashed hard.

“So where could he be?” I asked anxiously, pacing the tiny guest room, my free hand rubbing the back of my neck.

Norman’s voice was tight. “We lost sight of him, David. The men we had watching him from a distance…they couldn't find him. Don’t even know when or how he disappeared from their radar.”

My brows furrowed hard. “What the hell?”

“They still have people searching, but I need you to come down to my house right now. There’s been another murder. New evidence points straight to Justin. It’s…very crazy right now.”

“How come?” My heart slammed against my ribs.

“The girl…his neighbor…was found dead in his apartment. And he’s missing. Police are looking for him everywhere.”

I swore loudly. “Fuck! Why didn’t you say this all along?”

Right then I heard it…sirens screaming in the distance, getting louder fast. Coming towards my house.

“Is that the police?” Norman asked, sharply.

“Yeah, sounds like it.”

“Dude, you have to listen to me. Don’t admit anything. You don’t know shit. For once in your life, stop playing the hero and put yourself first. Be selfish. I’ll meet you at the station.” He hung up before I could say anything.

I ripped the guest-room door open and rushed back to the bedroom. “Holly?”

The bed was empty. Sheets still twisted from us, but no Holly.

Bathroom…empty. Towel on the floor, shower curtain shoved aside.

I ran straight into the living room, but it was still the same thing. The couch was empty, TV black, kitchen counters, bare. There was no sign of Holly anywhere in the house.

Okay, maybe she went out for some air. I flung open the back door. The yard was empty. Just the fence and late morning quiet.

“Holly!” I shouted, voice cracking through the house. Panic shot up my throat like bile as I imagined the worse. What if Justin got her? What if he was trying to use her and negotiate, to hurt me, to make me pay? My mind spun out every worst-case nightmare.

I yanked my phone out and called her. Straight to voicemail. Wait…before I left for the guest room, I’d heard her phone ringing too and she was on the call with someone.

Who the hell was it? Did she leave to meet the person? Why didn’t she tell me?!

The sirens were right outside now, blaring. Loud knocking hammered the front door before I could gulp.

“Coming!” I yelled. I threw on a t-shirt fast, phone still pressed to my ear as I tried her number again. Nothing.

I opened the door and three uniformed officers stood there, faces hard.

“David Hunt?”

“Yeah, that’s me.”

“We’re looking for your brother, Justin Hunt. We have a warrant to search your property.” One held up the paper.

“And you’ll have to come down to the station with us for questioning.”

I knew I looked like shit…hair sticking up, clothes half-on, eyes wild. “Officers, I need to find my girlfriend. She was just in the bedroom a few minutes ago and now she’s gone. I’m trying to call her but her number isn’t available.”

They glanced at each other, whispering low, looking me up and down like I was already guilty.

One smirked and said, “Is it a family thing? Is that what you and your brother do with girls?”

Heat exploded in my chest. “How the hell can you make accusations like that without any evidence? I can sue you for defamation!”

They snickered like I was a joke as the other cops who’d gone inside came back out. “Everywhere’s clear.”

“Let’s go,” the first one said, grabbing my arm and pushing me toward the cruiser.

“This isn’t an arrest,” I snapped, shaking him off. “I can walk on my own.”

But they shoved me into the back anyway. Pure panic gripped me hard as I thought about Holly.

I kept hitting redial on Holly’s number. Nothing. This was bad. Really fucking bad. As the car rolled away from the house, all I could do was stare out the window and pray she was okay.

‘Where are you, Holly? Please be okay.’