CHAPTER 34
Dominic’s POV
The world had become very small, just me, my phone, and the crushing silence of an empty apartment.
Every time my phone buzzed, my heart leapt into my throat. Every time it didn’t, I wanted to throw it through a wall.
I replayed the video of Ethan over and over until my eyes burned. His terrified face, his muffled cries. The way his shoulders trembled like he was trying not to break apart completely.
Every time, I caught myself whispering promises to him, even though he couldn’t hear me.
“I’m coming for you, baby. Just hold on. Please, just hold on.”
I had no idea where he was. No idea who these people were or how far they’d go.
But I knew one thing, I couldn’t do this alone.
When dawn broke, gray and cold, I forced myself to act.
I couldn’t go to the police. That was rule number one in the kidnappers’ twisted game. But there was nothing stopping me from hiring someone quietly, someone who didn’t leave a paper trail.
That’s when I thought of Lucas.
Lucas Grant wasn’t exactly a friend, but he wasn’t a stranger either. We’d crossed paths years ago when one of my business partners suspected embezzlement. Lucas had been the one to quietly dig up the truth before it blew up publicly.
He was discreet. Resourceful. Ruthless when he needed to be.
And more importantly, he didn’t ask unnecessary questions.
I scrolled to his number and hit call. He answered on the second ring, his voice a deep, rumble.
“Dominic. Been a while.”
“I need your help.”
There was a pause on the other end. “Go on.”
I hesitated, glancing toward the windows like someone might be listening.
“Someone I cherish is missing,” I said finally. “Taken. I can’t involve the police.”
Lucas didn’t even sound surprised. “Kidnapping?”
“Yes. They sent me a video.” My throat tightened around the words. “He’s alive…for now.”
“And the demands?”
“They want me to step down as the CEO,” I said, the name bitter on my tongue. “Publicly”
Another pause. Then Lucas’s voice sharpened. “That’s big. You think this is business-related?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But they’re organized. Careful. They’re watching me.”
“I can be careful too,” Lucas said smoothly. “Send me everything you have. The video, any texts, a timeline of Ethan’s last known movements. I’ll start digging.”
“Lucas…” I swallowed hard. “Please. You have to find him.”
“I will,” he said simply. “But Dominic, listen to me….don’t do anything reckless. If they’re watching, you play the part. Give them what they want. Let me be the ghost in the shadows.”
I gripped the phone so hard it hurt. “Just bring him home.”
By mid-morning, Clara showed up at my door.
I wasn’t expecting her, but I wasn’t surprised either. She’d been checking in constantly since last night, her voice soft and steady like a balm over raw skin.
When I opened the door, she gave me a small, sympathetic smile.
“Dominic,” she said gently. “You look like you haven’t slept.”
“I haven’t,” I said flatly, stepping aside. “Come in.”
She moved gracefully past me, carrying a paper bag. “I brought coffee. And bagels. You need to eat something.”
The smell of fresh coffee hit me, and my stomach clenched painfully. I hadn’t realized how empty I felt until that moment.
Clara set the bag on the counter and turned to me, her eyes shimmering with concern.
“Any news?”
“No.” The single word felt like it scraped my throat on the way out. “Nothing.”
Her expression crumpled, and for a second, she looked genuinely stricken. “Oh, Dominic. I’m so sorry.”
I nodded stiffly, not trusting myself to speak.
She stepped closer, laying a hand lightly on my arm.
“I can’t imagine what you’re going through,” she murmured. “But you don’t have to face it alone.”
For a moment, I let myself lean into her comfort. She was the last person to see Ethan before he vanished. She cared about him—maybe not like I did, but enough to show up here, to keep checking in.
“I just…” My voice broke, and I turned away, ashamed of the crack in my composure. “I just need him back.”
“And you’ll get him back,” Clara said firmly. “We’ll do everything we can.”
Around noon, she found me sitting on the couch, staring blankly at my phone.
“Dominic,” she said softly, sitting beside me. “You need to rest. Eat. Something.”
“I can’t,” I admitted hoarsely. “Every time I close my eyes, I see him. Tied up. Scared.”
Clara’s hand slipped over mine, warm and steady.
“He’s strong,” she said. “Stronger than you think. He’s probably holding on, waiting for you to save him.”
My throat tightened. “I have to.”
“You will,” she said with quiet certainty. “And when you do, you’ll both be stronger for it.”
Her words sank into me like a drug, easing some of the crushing weight on my chest.
\- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
By late afternoon, Lucas called.
“I’ve got something,” he said without preamble.
My heart leapt. “Tell me.”
“I tracked Ethan’s last phone signal. It pinged near an industrial area on the outskirts of the city. It went dark shortly after.”
“Industrial area,” I repeated, my pulse pounding. “Could that be where they’re holding him?”
“Maybe,” Lucas said cautiously. “Or maybe they just dumped the phone there to throw us off. I’ll check it out tonight.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No,” Lucas said sharply. “If they’re watching, you need to stay put. If they see you sniffing around, Ethan’s life is forfeit.”
I slammed my fist against the table. “Damn it, Lucas!”
“Dominic, listen to me,” he interrupted, his tone hard. “Your job is to play their game. Make them believe you’re doing exactly what they want. Meanwhile, I’ll be the shadow they don’t see coming.”
My chest heaved with the effort of holding myself back. “Just… find him.”
“I will,” Lucas promised. “Stay strong.”
When I hung up, Clara was watching me closely from the couch.
“Who was that?” she asked, tilting her head.
I forced my face into neutrality. “Just… a business associate. Checking in”
She nodded slowly, her expression unreadable. “Any progress?”
“Some,” I said vaguely. “But nothing solid.”
Clara reached over and squeezed my hand. “We’ll get him back,” she said softly. “I promise.”
I wanted to believe her.