Page 57 of Wicked Shadows
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CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Elle’s parents, Danny and Tanya, and her brothers, Jeff and Mark, arrived at her apartment and frantically searched for any sign of her return. A small clue that confirmed she was fine, just avoiding the world. But none of her close personal belongings were there—purse, cell phone, or wallet. Beth’s parents were scheduled to arrive later that evening, and Jeff had shared Devon’s strict instructions with them.
“Mr. and Mrs. Moore?” The deep, authoritative voice boomed from the doorway. “I’m Noah ‘Reaper’ Steele. I believe you’re expecting my team and me.”
“Yes, though I’ve only heard Devon call you Reaper. He told us all about you. Please come in.” Tanya urged him into the apartment, her eyes growing wider with each man who followed him.
“This is the rest of my team. Colton ‘Bull’ Lanier and Braxton ‘Rebel’ Reed. We’ll be watching your backs at all times. I wanted to make sure you met us first. You won’t see us unless we want you to know we’re there, but when that happens, it’ll be for a specific reason.”
“Do you think we’re in danger?” Danny glanced around the room at his family, his concern for their safety etched in his features. They were all anxious to start hounding anyone and everyone over his daughter’s whereabouts, but he had to consider the safety of the rest of his family as well.
“There’s nothing to indicate that,” Rebel replied. “But there’s also no reason to take chances.”
“Right. Our information shows you own a lucrative winery. If this is a ransom case, the more leverage they have, the harder it’ll be for us to gain traction. We’d rather be more cautious than necessary.” Bull explained the situation in his usual straightforward manner.
“So let’s get started. We’ll take shifts and follow you when you leave. No one goes anywhere alone for any reason—even if that’s their only demand. This is not up for discussion.” Noah had the family sit and memorize the coverage schedule and how to contact them in case of an emergency. “First stop will be the studio office. You need to demand to speak with the executive in charge of production on Elle’s movie. He’ll refuse. Leave, and go back with a reporter and camera. Then don’t take no for an answer.”
“I can do that,” Tanya replied. “If I need to pitch a tent and sleep in their office, I can do that too.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” The admiration on Bull’s face contradicted his words.
Early the next morning, the Moore family arrived at the executive offices, their sights set on forcing the hand of the one responsible for releasing lies about Elle’s disappearance. The secretary looked up, confused and concerned, when she heard the commotion behind the double doors that separated the executive suite. Tanya burst through the opening, threats and promises of relieving the security guard of everything that made him a man if he touched her again.
“Barry Jacobson,” she yelled down the long hallway of executive offices. “We demand to speak with you this instant.”
With Danny, Jeff, and Mark running interference with the guards, Tanya walked briskly down the corridor, calling his name loudly. “If I’m forced to leave without speaking to you, it will be much worse when I return.”
A door swung open, and a graying man in his midfifties stepped out. “What can I do for you, Ms.—?” His voice trailed off as he searched her face for recognition. She knew the moment he realized who she was. “You must be Elle Sinclair’s mother because she is the spitting image of you.”
“That’s right. Elle Moore is my daughter, and I want to know where she is right now.”
He tried to hide his shock, but the way the color drained from his face couldn’t be denied. “You haven’t heard from her yet?”
“Would I be here if I had?”
“I’m sure she and Jax are still enjoying their honeymoon on some remote island. No need to worry.”
“She’s not with Jax on some remote island or anywhere else. We both know that is a lie, and I’ll make sure the entire world knows it, too. You’ll answer for why no police report has been filed, no questions asked, no searches performed. What are you hiding?”
“Ma’am, you need to leave the premises immediately before we call the police and have you arrested for trespassing.” The security guard had finally gotten around the Moore men and approached Tanya.
“Tell you what,” she replied calmly when she rounded on him. “You go ahead and call the police and have them wait right here for me. Because when I come back, the whole world will see it.”
“Mrs. Moore—wait. Let’s talk about this. Elle and Jax are perfectly fine.”
“You have one hour to produce her,” she replied to Barry. To the guard, she continued, “And you have one hour to get the LAPD here to protect you. We’ll be back.”
Once outside the building, Tanya’s phone began ringing. With shaky hands, she dug it out of her purse.
“Very nice work,” Reaper chuckled darkly. “You need a job with my team?”
She released a much-needed laugh before replying. “I’m not sure I could handle that on a daily basis. I was sure the guard would toss me over his shoulder and carry me out.”
“You riled Barry up enough that he’s making stupid mistakes. His first call was to Jax. We’re working on getting an exact location for him now, then one of my team members will pay him a visit.”
“You don’t believe Elle is with Jax either, do you?” Tanya asked the question, but she didn’t exactly want an answer. The trepidation he’d confirm her worst fears overwhelmed her coping skills.
