Chapter 122 Gone girl - Miguel POV
I send text after text to Madison, but it's not delivered. I try calling T.J., but there's no answer. I can't go to her house in the light of what happened the day before.
I look at Ben across the boardroom table, where we are busy with a high-profile acquisition contract.
He looks like the epitome of professional, like someone who will reach the biggest height in his career.
A scam artist in disguise.
He is better at this game than I gave him credit for. I'm so used to dealing with terrorists that took over nations, that I might have underestimated my little brother.
My phone isn't bugged. Maybe Madison's is. Is that how he knew where I would be yesterday?
God, he's so charming, the perfect actor. His eyes meet mine, and the mask he carries slips momentarily.
I can see the war in his gaze.
The hate.
We might be tied to each other by our father's blood, but that is where the love ends.
How am I going to kill him? Will I shoot him in the head executioner style, or will I stage it to look like a suicide? Will I beat him to a pulp, and then let his car crash?
I almost don't hear the associate talk next to me because of my murderous thoughts, and I concentrate back on the documents before me.
I want to see him die. I want to see the lights go dim in his gaze as he looks at me.
How many people hasn't he killed? Innocent lives taken just because they were an inconvenience to him?
I want him to know that I won. That it's me who Madison wants, not him.
"Miguel, can I have a word?" The asshole asks when the meeting is over, and I stay seated, waiting for everyone else to file out.
"What can I help you with?" There's no familiarity in my voice when I talk to him.
"Did you tell Father that I had something to do with George's embezzlement?" He wants to know, no emotion on his face.
He would've made a great defense lawyer with how well he keeps his cards to his chest and his lack of emotion.
"I didn't." I lie, standing up and gathering my things. "Did you have something to do with it?"
He narrows his eyes at me. "No, I inherit half of Father's shares when he dies, why would I steal from myself?"
I'm sure he hates that, only getting half. Him and his mother probably think I don't deserve what my own father leaves me.
"It would be dumb to do so." I pick up my briefcase. "I heard George went on a European vacation, how well deserved."
I leave after that, going to my own office.
I doubt there would have been any consequences if they did find Ben guilty. I wonder how he felt when his hitman called and said I was unharmed.
I call Madison again in the privacy of my office, but it goes straight to voicemail, so I call Alessandro instead.
He doesn't pick up, but he lets me know he's in a meeting and that he will call me as soon as he can. I don't want to ask her uncle what's up with her, and after yesterday I was sure she would be at least a little bit concerned about me.
It could be that T.J. destroyed her phone, but he could have at least informed me especially after he agreed to have my back.
The rest of the workday passes without getting a call from Alessandro, so I call him back.
"Cargill." He answers. "I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you yet."
"I'm trying to reach T.J., his phone is off." I don't beat around the bush.
Alessandro sighs heavily, followed by silence.
"Did something happen that I should know about?" I want to know, unease unfurling in my stomach.
"We can't find T.J. and Madison."
The words take a second to register in my mind. "What do you mean you can't find them?"
"T.J. took Madison to her company this morning, they never returned." Even Alessandro sounds concerned. "He called me to let me know that he is taking Madison to a safe place per her request. He will not share the location, but he will check in daily."
I frown, worry and anger taking a hold of me. "T.J. wouldn't just disappear."
"This is what Madison wants, Miguel." Alessandro sighs again. " I told her parents that we should respect her wishes for once. She's not a child, she's capable of making her own decisions, and T.J. is with her. He's like her brother, he won't let anything happen to her."
I don't fucking like it. So she left without even telling me? No contact, nothing?
"I know this might seem hard right now, but I honestly think it's for the best." He just sounds placating now. "If you love her, let her go for now, and fucking do what you said you would. This city is not safe for her or anyone around her if your brother is still alive and breathing. I will let you know when T.J. gets in touch again."
Alessandro is fucking lying. He has to be. There is no way he will just let Madison go off the grid without him knowing where she is. He knows everything about his family.
So what am I going to do about it?
Am I going to find her?
Or am I going to eliminate the threat?