Perfect Match (Vice Club Nights #2)

23. Gio

Chapter twenty-three

Gio

C harli bursts into Ryan’s office, the door screaming on its hinges and hitting with a bang against the wall. We both jump to our feet, spinning in her direction.

Her face is as pale as the cream wall behind her, and her hands twist together like she’s trying to wring the blood from them. “Something has happened to Tori,” Charli stutters out breathlessly.

“What do you mean?” I shout, striding toward her. But I don’t make it two steps before Ryan is at her side and pulling her into the cradle of his arm, forming an impenetrable human shield around his girlfriend. I glare at him.

“Settle down,” Ryan warns me with his free hand raised, and I stop. He turns Charli within the circle of his arms as he continues calmly, “Sweetheart, take a breath, then tell me what’s happened.”

She stares up at him with wide brown eyes as she slows her breathing and gathers control.

“Tori called me, but instead of her voice, I heard her muffled cry.” She holds her cell out in a shaky hand, and we both look down at the screen. “Then there was a moan and some shuffling. And now there’s nothing.” She hiccups out a sob as her hand grips the sleeve of Ryan’s shirt. “I know she’s in danger. I can feel it.”

I don’t doubt her gut instinct. I remember Tori telling me once that, as twins, they feel a unique connection.

I continue to stare down at Charli’s phone, which is ominously quiet though still connected.

“Do you know where she was?” I ask, surprised that I can speak when my heart is galloping at an alarming rate.

She takes a deep, shuddering breath before answering, “On her way home. She was probably nearly there or maybe already there. She definitely wasn’t on the subway.”

Ryan takes the phone from her shaky fingers and passes it to me, then hands her his cell. “Call Sadie and check.” His voice is calm and controlled, and Charli appears to visibly settle as she calls Sadie.

Almost immediately, Sadie answers on speaker and confirms that Tori isn’t at home. She adds that Tori messaged about ten minutes ago saying she was just off the subway and asking her to order the takeout.

“The subway is only two blocks from the apartment.” Sadie’s voice is clear through the speaker. There’s a metallic scraping sound before Sadie adds, “I can’t see her on the street, but I’ll go downstairs and check.”

We all stand looking at the phone. Hoping and praying that Sadie’s voice will come back with good news. She comes back on breathing heavily. “I just found her gym bag on the street.” The last few words catch on a sob.

“Fuck.” I slump back into the chair. Absently, I hear Ryan tell Sadie to come to the club and Charli begin to cry into Ryan’s shoulder.

“Okay, let’s see if we can locate her phone,” Ryan says, his Navy SEAL training making him a natural leader.

My head springs up. “I know people who can do that,” I state, and both sets of eyes turn to me. “It’s all legal. But if someone has done anything to hurt Tori, I plan on contacting my other not-so-nice friends too.” My tone brooks no argument, and Ryan’s only response is to nod his agreement.

“Can those other friends start checking the local streets near her apartment? I don’t want to involve the police yet until we know for sure what’s happened.”

I call a friend in the NYPD first, asking him to trace the call, which amazingly is still showing as connected on Charli’s phone. Then I call my cousin to get some of his associates to start combing the streets between the subway and Tori’s apartment. Scrolling to a photo of Tori that was taken in Florence months ago, I send it to him.

Who would want to kidnap Tori ? The thought that it’s someone wanting to get to me fills my gut with dread.

Tony comes through the door. “What do you need me to do?” he asks as he moves to stand before his boss.

Tony is also a former Navy SEAL, and I’ve never been more glad to have them both here. Ryan loosens his hold on Charli, who is tucked into his arms, and leads her over to the sofa before filling Tony in.