Page 95 of Saving Forever
“What happened?” I whisper, my stomach dropping in anticipation of bad news.
“Someone, um, broke into the sanctuary last night.” He seems to be struggling to talk. “It’s, uh, well, it’s bad.”
“Are the birds okay?”
“No.”
“No?” My heart starts to pound. “Oh, fuck. What happened?”
“Elvis is gone,” he whispers, his voice cracking a little.
“No!” Tears prick my eyelids. “Fucking no!” I sink onto the edge of the bed.
“The vet is here trying to save Priscilla but it doesn’t look good. I think she’ll be okay—she bit the shit out of someone. There’s dried blood on her beak.”
“That’s my good girl,” I whisper, too choked up to speak any louder.
“Holly…it’s bad. Ollie may need surgery to repair his wing. And there are quite a few casualties with the small birds. I think they were poisoned.”
Tears stream down my cheeks unchecked.
Because I know what happened and who did this.
“Can you come?” Jay asks finally. “The police are here—it’s a mess.”
“I’m in New York but I’ll be on the first flight home. I’ll see you sometime today.”
“Thanks.”
We disconnect and I immediately pull up the airline’s app to see if I can change my ticket.
I knew my father was ruthless but I never thought he’d pull something like this.
And I will never, ever forgive him.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Viktor
The text from Holly that I wake up to is short and cryptic.
HOLLY: Emergency at the sanctuary. I’m so sorry—I can’t get to Anchorage today. I’ll call to explain as soon as I can.
That was early this morning, around three a.m. Anchorage time.
It’s now nearly noon and I haven’t heard from her.
I tried to call her but it went straight to voicemail.
Part of me is annoyed but another part is worried. I don’t know what happened but I know Holly. She’s going to try and deal with whatever it is on her own because even though she needed my money, she hates being dependent on anyone.
Not even her husband.
This is one of the few things about our relationship that are problematic for me. I’m not old-fashioned. Well, not too old-fashioned, but I do tend to be protective of what’s mine. Right now—that includes my beautiful but stubborn wife. Even if she divorces me tomorrow, today we’re still married and I still want to help.
“You’re quiet,” West says as we head out to a team dinner. “This have to do with Holly? Isn’t she supposed to be here today?”
I nod. “Something happen at sanctuary but I have not heard from her since early this morning. I am worried.”
