Chapter 63 Missing

Chapter 63 Missing
  Liam
  Panic.
  That still wasn’t strong enough to describe what I was feeling as I drove toward the countryside. But it was the closest word I had.
  I’d suspected Maya might try something reckless like leaving. I almost stayed awake to watch over her, but I didn’t want to look obsessive… or worse, like some creep hovering outside her door.
  And honestly, I needed sleep. I needed a clear head to figure out what to do next.
  What I didn’t expect was to wake up to an empty room.
  And a fucking piece of paper lying on the bed where Maya should have been.
  A note. One that had completely messed up  my thoughts.
  The baby was mine. She was carrying my child.
  Surprise had barely registered. The only thing that mattered was finding her.
  I pressed harder on the accelerator. The engine roared as the car surged forward.
  My grip tightened on the steering wheel and….
  Jesus. I was panicking.
  I got to the countryside after one rough hour of driving. I had no idea where she stayed in this part of town, so I was left with no other option than to call Marie.
  “Hey,” her voice was low, almost a whisper and if I guessed right it was so her girlfriend won’t hear her. It was going to be messed up…but that was an issue for another day.
  “Hey, yeah,” I cleared my throat, tapping my fingers at the compartment next to me. “Do you know where I can find Maya?” I asked and there was a pause at the other end.
  I waited for her response and I heard faint footsteps.
  “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice a little louder now.
  “She passed the night at my house but I woke up this morning and she was…gone.” I let out a rough breath. “I’m assuming she returned here but it’s actually not safe for her.”
  Trying to explain everything to Marie would take quite some time and that’s something I couldn’t afford right now. Not until, Maya’s in my line of sight.
  “She returned? I…” she hesitated for a second. “Where are you?” she asked instead and I ran my hand down my face and looked around. I’d driven to the spot where I’d first met her here.
  It was the only place I could think of stopping. I described the place to Marie.
  “Good thing I’m on my way there. We could just go together,” she suggested and I pursed my lips.
  “How long would it take you to get here?” I asked.
  “Five minutes, tops.” I glanced down at my wristwatch. It was already 7:47am.
  Yeah, I could spare five minutes.
  I hung up and sank into my car seat before trying to call Maya. Ever since Marie had given me her number that day, I hadn’t called or texted and today that I did, she wasn’t picking up or replying to my texts.
  If she thought I’d just let her disappear again, especially after knowing she was pregnant with my child —our child —then she was definitely joking.
  It was too soon to call Thompson but damn, if she wasn’t in the damn house, I’d have to ask for another favor.
  Marie arrived at exactly five minutes. She got into the car and shut the door before watching me closely.
  “You look tensed,” she noted and I nodded, turning on the ignition.
  “Maya’s not safe.” I pulled away almost immediately and Marie frowned.
  “What? What happened at her dad’s?” she asked and a muscle tightened in my jaw. Oh, if this was just about her father, it would be so much better than a cartel coming after her.
  And no, she didn’t think about herself or the baby or what would happen if those people got their hands on her.
  I had no idea the kind of person her mother was. Or worse, what she needed from Maya.
  “It’s a really long story and I’d tell you everything…” I trailed off. “Once we find Maya,”
  Marie went silent, a concerned expression on her face as she stared out the window.
  I swallowed nothing.
  “You knew about it, right?” I asked and I could feel her eyes on me before she looked away.
  “About what?”
  I shook my head. “You knew the baby was mine. Your girlfriend knew too.” I pointed out and she turned to me, our gaze met for a second before I looked away, keeping my eyes on the road as she pointed a direction to me.
  “Why didn’t y’all say something?” I muttered and Marie sighed.
  “It’s not our place to tell.” she stated. “She didn’t want anything to do with you, considering you dumped her to get married to some Hollywood chick, who you still dumped by the way.” Her tone was flat but I could hear the judgement in it.
  They would never understand. But then, all this would be a waste if Maya was abducted.
  “A clue would have helped.” I mumbled, not sure she even heard me. But she was right, it really wasn’t within their power to tell me.
  “I’m guessing you found out, and then she’s trying to escape you?” Maya asked and I shook my head.
  “I’m hoping it’s just that.”
  “There.” Marie pointed at a house at a corner. I frowned slightly, my brows pulling together.
  She chose to stay here? For christ’s sake, this place was fucking isolated —save for the one small building at the other side.
  Bringing the car to a stop, I flicked open my seatbelt and climbed out of my car.
  There were tire lines on the ground— from a car. There was another car here.
  Cold slid down my spine as I moved towards her door, suddenly feeling uneasy.
  Marie followed behind me.
  I raised my hand to knock, when the door slightly creaked open. I held my breath and then glanced back at Marie.
  Pushing the door open, I stepped in.
  Packed bags, scattered items on the floor, broken mirror…
  My heart continued racing as I ventured farther into the room. She was trying to leave, but…she didn’t?
  “Maya?” I called, just in case she was in the bathroom. God, I hoped she was in the bathroom.
  There was no response.
  “Liam?” Marie called from behind me, her voice a little shaky. I turned around and she held up Joan’s phone.
  My throat went dry instantly.
  “Where did you find that?” I asked quietly.
  “On the floor. The screen is shattered,” she whispered. It didn’t take much to piece one and two together.
  I ran my fingers through my hair.
  “Fuck!”