Chapter 2 - TWENTY-THREE MINUTES TOO LATE
The bridal suite was empty.
Kira's suitcase was gone.
Her makeup bag was gone.
The pearl earrings she'd borrowed from her grandmother were missing from the dressing table.
Only the bouquet remained.
White roses.
Small blue flowers.
A satin ribbon tied around the stems.
Blake stared.
Then grabbed his phone.
He called Kira.
Straight to voicemail.
Again.
Voicemail.
A third time.
Nothing.
He called Sarah Mitchell.
Kira's best friend.
She answered on the second ring.
“Sarah, where is she?”
Silence.
Then Sarah said, “Safe.”
Blake closed his eyes.
“Put her on.”
“No.”
“Sarah—”
“No, Blake.”
His voice rose.
“She's my wife.”
Sarah laughed bitterly.
“You remembered.”
Blake flinched.
“Where did she go?”
“Somewhere she doesn't have to watch you dance with Riley.”
He swallowed.
“It was one dance.”
Sarah went silent.
Then she said, “You still don't understand.”
The call ended.
Blake stared at his phone.
Behind him, Gavin entered.
He took one look at the empty room.
Then closed his eyes.
“She left.”
Blake nodded.
Gavin approached slowly.
“Did you read the letter?”
“Yes.”
“Then you know why.”
Blake turned.
“I need to find her.”
Gavin's expression hardened.
“No.”
Blake stared.
“What?”
“You need to leave her alone tonight.”
“She just walked out of our wedding.”
Gavin looked at him.
“No, Blake.”
May you like
His voice dropped.
“She walked out of a marriage you never really entered.”
