Logan called Wilda Hicks.The chief editor’s surprise was evident in her voice as she answered, ‘Mr Wilde?’‘Wilda, have you heard from Alessia?’A brief pause followed, and Logan could sense the hesitation in Wilda’s tone. ‘No, I haven’t. I sent one of my staff to her house. He says the door’s locked and no one appears to be home.’‘She didn’t apply for leave?’‘No. Which is why I’m getting so worried. This isn’t like her. Alessia was supposed to go for an interview this afternoon. She’d put in a lot of work to prep for it. I don’t think she’d just pull a vanishing act like this.’Logan’s gut twisted with dread. ‘Thanks, Wilda. Call me the minute you have an update.’Logan hung up and rubbed his temples, worry and unease gnawing at him.Then he made another call. ‘Heath, it’s Logan. We might have a problem.’‘What’s going on?’‘Alessia,’ Logan’s voice was taut. ‘She might be missing. I need your help.’‘Tell me everything you know.’Logan’s words came in a rush. ‘Alessia’s gone AWOL.
‘I was married to her for more than seven years,’ Jeramy said. ‘I’m familiar with her routine. I can give you the time and place that’s easiest for you to grab her.’The two of them lit up a cigarette each and smoked in silence for a while.Shad’s voice sliced through the smoky haze, laden with suspicion. ‘Tell me, Jeramy, is that Alessia woman really Logan Wilde’s girlfriend?’‘She’s lying.’ Jeramy snorted with derision. ‘She’s not his girlfriend. A side piece, at most. You know how these rich men like to have different flavours of the month.’Shad’s eyes narrowed as he leaned in, his voice a low rumble. ‘So, this woman is really involved with Logan?’Jeramy said vaguely, ‘Looks that way. But that was before I got fired from BuzzBeat. I wouldn’t know what the status of their relationship is now.’He studied Shad’s face. ‘You’re not thinking about calling Logan to demand ransom, are you?’When Shad said nothing, Jeramy exploded in rage. ‘Are you f*cking stupid? Alessia’s seen your fac
The phone call came abruptly, shattering the silence in Logan’s office where he’d been pacing for the past half an hour.Heath’s voice was sharp. ‘Logan, I tried again. Alessia’s phone is switched off, but I reached out to her network provider. I’ve got the IMEI number. Her last active location was Lavender Street at 7.55 am today.’Logan connected the dots in an instant. ‘Lavender Street? That’s the BuzzBeat office. She was on her way to work.’‘Yup. I’ve requested access to traffic cam footage on that street. My team is already combing through the recordings, trying to identify her. I’ll update you the moment I have something.’‘Thanks, Heath.’Logan hung up and then made another call. ‘Wilda, it’s Logan. Have you heard from Alessia?’‘I’m afraid the answer’s still no.’‘I need to ask you something.’‘Sure.’‘Does Alessia have any enemies?’Wilda took a moment to think it through. ‘Not any that I know of. Alessia gets on well with most of her colleagues. But then again, I’ve only be
Alessia had to climb onto the chair and stand on tiptoe to reach it, her ankles protesting every movement.The window pane was missing, a lucky break for her.Through sheer will, she squeezed her body through the empty frame, mindful of the voices that could return at any moment.She dropped to the ground on the other side, her ankle twisting painfully.Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and her skin paled from the agony.But she couldn’t afford to scream.She hobbled away from the factory, each step a symphony of pain and purpose.The suburban landscape she found herself in was unfamiliar.A field stretched before her, with tall grass that swayed in the breeze.Trees reached toward the sky, wildflowers dotted the ground.It was a scene of serenity that contrasted with her chaotic reality.The scent of earth and blossoms enveloped her, providing a stark contrast to the sterile captivity she’d endured.Birds chirped in the distance, the rustling leaves played a soft melody, and the
Alessia’s body went still, her breathing hitching as she turned, her gaze locking onto Logan’s face.Emotions swirled within her, a tumultuous storm that threatened to consume her.She opened her eyes wide, afraid to blink, believing Logan’s mirage would disappear if she did.She opened her mouth to speak, but before words could form, her world shifted.Darkness descended as her body surrendered to unconsciousness.Logan caught Alessia’s limp body just in time.He removed his suit jacket and draped it over her half-n*ked body.His heart clenched at the sight of her bloodied wrists and swollen face.Gingerly, he lifted her into his arms.He cradled her protectively and marched towards his car.Terence had just caught up with him, still catching his breath.‘Call the police,’ Logan ordered. ‘Have these two men arrested.’He carried Alessia to his car, carefully placing her in the backseat.The engine roared to life as he accelerated towards the nearest hospital.***Alessia’s eyelids fl
‘Um, about the medical expenses, I’ll pay you back later.’ Alessia tried hard to recall if she had insurance, but her brain was still slow.Logan breathed heavily. ‘Is that all you have to say to me?’‘I already said thank you.’‘And?’‘And what?’Logan clenched his jaw.This time, when Alessia tried to get up again, he was less gentle. ‘Where the hell do you think you’re going?’‘To the bathroom,’ Alessia replied matter-of-factly.‘Oh.’ Logan rose and made way.He watched her shuffle into the en suite bathroom, the IV stand trailing comically behind her.Through the closed door, he called out, ‘Need a hand in there?’Alessia shouted back, ‘No, thank you!’Emerging from the bathroom a while later, Alessia scanned the room.‘What are you looking for?’‘My clothes.’Logan’s question was tinged with exasperation. ‘Still trying to leave? Why are you being so stubborn?’‘The doctor said I don’t have to stay here. I’d like to leave.’‘You need to rest. You can’t go home like this.’‘I’m not
Alessia allowed herself to sink deeper, the water’s warmth enveloping her, wrapping her in a cocoon of solitude.The events of today seemed to ebb away, replaced by the tranquillity of the moment.With each breath, the tension that had clung to her shoulders began to loosen, the worries of the world fading into the distance.She drifted off.***Alessia’s eyes snapped open at the sensation of someone shaking her shoulders, jolting her awake.Her heart raced as her gaze met Logan’s.In the split second it took to process her surroundings, the realisation hit her—she was still submerged in the tub, utterly n*ked.Instinctively, her hands flew to cover her breasts, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of mortification and surprise. ‘What... what are you doing here?’His hands were still on her shoulders. ‘You’ve been in the bath for almost an hour. I knocked and called out, but you didn’t reply. I thought you might have drowned in here.’‘Oh.’ Alessia grimaced, embarrassed.Logan’s grip ti
Heath paused, as if deciding how much to reveal.Then he leaned forward. ‘Remember Donatella Pagano?’‘Sure.’ Alessia had helped Heath gather intel on the missing socialite.‘Turns out, her family and the police are not the only ones looking for her. During my investigation, I found out that the charity she’s involved in, Children’s Hope Foundation, sent men to track her down as well. I thought they were looking to recover the funds she’d embezzled, understandably. But that’s not all. After Mauro Benetti took over as the chairman, he’d slowly transformed the charity into a front for human trafficking. When Donatella absconded with his money, he knew the police would come looking and decided it was time to pull up stakes. So he sent a bunch of his operatives to abduct as many women as they could.’ Heath scoffed. ‘Shad said Benetti called it the last shipment.’‘How many women did they take?’ Alessia asked.‘Eighteen, as far as Shad can tell. Could be more. We are still looking.’‘I don