Then

"...leave a message, and I'll get back to you."

Irritated, Jace looked at his phone and pressed the red icon to end his attempted call. At that moment, he missed the old phones where he could press the buttons hard to release some of his frustrations, but the iPhone's delicate screen mocked him. If he pressed the screen anywhere as hard as he wanted, it would fracture, and then he would have to go through the hassle of requisitioning a new one. And honestly, who wanted that?

Still, it bothered him he had not heard from Phoenix all weekend. The two messages he had sent had gone unanswered, and logically, Jace knew Phoenix was with his parents and would have little time for anything else, and the messages had only been short and nothing that had demanded a reply. But Jace missed him. It was as simple as that. With Gareth being back, Jace hoped the stalker thing could get sorted faster, and they would get some stress-free time to be themselves and see where things led.

That was in the future, and Jace could wait for that.

Now, though, Jace wanted a brief chat with Phoenix before the meeting Gareth had called. Nothing majorly important, he just wanted to know how they were going to break everything to Gareth. As their leader and friend, he needed to know everything, not only about the stalker, but also the deal with Levi, that minor incident with that Ukrainian mofo, Grychenko, and all the changes Jace had made to get the job done. The stalker issue, though, was Phoenix's, and Jace had to know how he wished to play it before they went in.

Rami, Cracker, and Jace had all tried to breach the important subjects during the weekend, but Gareth had been adamant about keeping it at eating, drinking, and reminiscing about the old days. They had all understood Gareth and respected his need to push reality for a few days. They could not fault him for wanting some time with friends and no pressure for maybe the first time in his life.

It was typical of Gareth to come back at the right time, and then, for once, not be interested in work.

"No answer?" Rami asked from beside Jace.

"He could be on the plane and have his phone turned off." Jace said, knowing he was irritable for nothing. He carefully ran his fingers through his hair. What he really wanted to do was pull his hair in frustration, but that would ruin his newly done hairstyle.

The last week had been too much for him. From the moment Rami had burst into his meeting, hauling him out of there with some lame excuse, and rushing him to a suite to hide, his life had become that of a fucking soap opera.

Sadly, the only common soap opera ploy Jace absolutely wished for would not happen. Tana would not come back to life. She would not have a twin magically appear down the line to blend in seamlessly and take her place. Despite his number of friends, they all held unique qualities Jace appreciated, and Tana had filled a role in his life like no one else could. That void in his heart would stay empty. His friend of many years was gone.

Together with Tana's family, Jace had watched as the doctors stopped the life support machines Saturday morning after her family had flown in. They had talked and remembered the person Tana had been, and though it had been sad and heart-wrenching, the closure felt nice. Tana's family believed it to be an unfortunate car accident, and Jace had let them stay with that information. Telling them what he knew would only hurt them more, and he had no wish to bring them further pain. He had been a wreck, and Gareth's invitation for an evening of drinking had been welcomed when he and Rami had left the hospital to let Tana's family make arrangements for her funeral in peace.

Jace pocketed his phone, rubbed his face, and sighed, stepping out of the car, and walking to the mansion from where they had parked.

They nodded at Timofey at the entrance and walked into the hall. Everything seemed as always; some guys hung around in the common room, noises made their way from the kitchen, and voices carried from different rooms and from up the stairs, but both Jace and Rami knew people were on edge.

The second Gareth had sent out meeting invites, stating he would hold meetings at the mansion, they had warned their temporary guests and asked them to keep to the guest wing from Sunday evening and until Gareth had been informed. None had complained, and it looked as if they had kept out of sight. At least Jace had not had a screaming Gareth on the phone, demanding answers, yet.

"We still have some time. Are you hungry?" Rami gestured toward the dining room, knowing Jace had only had a cup of coffee after they got up at his place earlier.

"That would be a no. I can still taste alcohol," Jace said with an awkward grin.

"I hear you." Rami held his stomach. The mere thought of food made him queasy, though he was not sick from the hangover pounding in his head.

They walked up the stairs to the offices, where Jace had used Gareth's office the past year. All his files were there, and he needed them for the meeting later. They walked down the hallway, passing the conference room on their way. Gareth's demanding voice carried easily through the door, and it hit Jace that Phoenix might already be there, and that was why he had not answered his phone.

Jace held up his hand to stop Rami and knocked on the door.

"Enter," came Gareth's voice from inside.

Opening the door and popping in his head, Jace looked around the room and found Gareth perched against the windowsill, a cigarette between his fingers. He looked hung over with bloodshot eyes and a tired face that did nothing for his already weight-loss-affected body, but he was dressed in his black suit and grey tie and had the usual Gareth power exuding from him. It was evident he was back in business from the look in his eyes. That was Gareth. He could function even if his blood was eighty percent alcohol.

Vlad and Rotha both turned their heads to see who intruded, Vlad smiling at Jace, and Rotha giving him a small wave, but no Phoenix in sight.

"Hey, G-man, I just wanted to see if Phoenix was here. Rami and I are preparing the mission reports, and I had a few things to run by Phoenix," Jace lied expertly. He smiled his usual smile at Gareth, who smiled back, not catching on to Jace's lie.

"No, he said he would be back, but I had told him to take a week with his parents, so I just sent him meeting information and not invites."

With the stalker threat deadline coming up, Phoenix would never have taken the week off. Jace knew that, but since Gareth did not, all Jace could do was smile and nod at the information.

"Oh, ok. I tried to call him earlier, but he didn't pick up his phone," Jace mumbled a bit defeated.

Gareth puffed on his cigarette, blowing out smoke before he focused back on Jace. "You know how my mum is when I visit. I barely have time to take calls. Perhaps Phoenix's mother is the same?" Grinning, Gareth winked at Jace, who knew exactly how demanding Gareth's mother could be. Demanding did not cover it. Zariyah Adjenkov was a proper dictator. "Maybe she's got him fixing the roof or something."

Rotha chuckled. "He's tall enough to reach without a ladder."

His comment drew a laugh from Gareth.

"You could call Cracker?" Vlad suggested helpfully. He reached for his coffee and made a gagging sound at the bitter, cold liquid, putting the cup back on the table with a disgusted crinkle of his nose. "Even if Phoenix is busy with his parents, his bodyguards should know when they plan to come back, and then Cracker would know as their supervisor."

Jace lit up with a smile at Vlad's idea. Why had he not thought of that? Of course, Cracker would have his men check in with him about their schedules and how things went in general.

"I'll do that. Thanks, Vlad. See you later at the meeting, G." Jace waved briefly and closed the door, instantly pulling his phone from his pocket. He found Cracker's number in his favorites and walked to Gareth's office with Rami in tow, listening to the rings.

"Jace. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Cracker's grumpy morning voice sounded clearly through the speaker, telling easily how he too felt the aftermath of a weekend with Gareth. It would take a few more weekends like that for them all to be back in shape to follow Gareth's drinking regime.

"One sec, mate." Jace rushed into the office with Rami, closing the door behind them. "Have you heard from Phoenix's bodyguards about when they'll be back?"

"They haven't said anything about when they'll be back, but I've gotten regular updates from Artyom over the weekend," Cracker said, suddenly sounding a lot more awake than before. "I'll call Arty on the other line. Hang on."

Both Rami and Jace waited in worried silence as Cracker put the phone on speaker and called from his other phone. Their worries grew when Cracker grumbled. He went through all three members of Phoenix's team, with no result.

"One of them should have picked up," Cracker said through sounds of him rustling about in the background. "You're at the mansion for the meetings?"

"Yes," Jace confirmed.

"I'll be there in half an hour. Don't say anything to Gareth yet. I'll try a few other options. It could be that Momma Phoenix has them all in a bunt cake coma."

Jace tried to laugh, sincerely hoping Cracker was right, but that knot in the pit of his stomach told him it was time to worry. He had no proof yet, but something in his connection with Phoenix flared, and Jace was sure something was wrong. He could not write off that feeling. That instinct in him was what made him good at his job.

"What do you think?" Rami asked when Cracker had abruptly ended the call.

"I think Gareth is about to have a meltdown. I can feel it, you know?"

"Yeah. You know me, I'm not one to cry wolf, but something feels off. I can understand if Phoenix is busy, and I can even excuse his team for being trapped in motherly love, but if my boss called you and I a second apart, I would have called back instantly."

"Me too."

"Nothing we can do until Cracker gets here. Let's grab a coffee. I have a feeling we'll need the boost." Rami held his head with an exaggerated, pathetic look in his eyes. "I appreciate Gareth being back, but damn, I've not missed these hangovers."

Grinning, Jace nodded, and they left the office floor to grab a coffee in the dining room and left in a hurry because the smell of food made them both nauseous. To spend some time until Cracker got there, and shit would officially hit the fan, they went to the guest wing to ask if anyone had heard from Phoenix.

"You can come out of hiding now," Jace informed cheerily when they entered one of the larger lounges, where the guards outside in the hallway had informed them they were gathered in.

Niall was up from the couch in a second and bounded toward them. He hugged Jace's leg and then went to Rami, making grabby hands at him until the man picked him up.

"How are you, small fry?"

"I had a kossang and bacon for breakfast." Niall beamed at Rami when he explained how crunchy the croissant had been on the outside and soft inside. "I made a sandwich with the bacon, and then we've played video games since I finished my homework."

"That sounds like fun. Can you show me while Jace talks with Packard and your dad?"

"Sure!"

Rami gave Jace a side glance and a nod as he carried Niall to the couch and let Packard and Chess get up.

Jace smiled gratefully and waved over the rest.

Eoin, Brannon, Quinn, and Sydney joined Chess and Packard by Jace at the door. They moved fast, but Jace still had enough time to get nervous when hope clashed with that dreadful feeling inside him.

"Are you ok, Jace?" Quinn asked instantly, taking in the haunted look on Jace's face. She reached out and brushed her hand over Jace's cheek in a motherly gesture.

"I'm not even sure anymore." Jace smiled weakly at Quinn and then directed his attention to everyone else. "Have you heard anything from Phoenix?"

"He sent me a text on Friday, saying he was going to visit his parents over the weekend." Packard picked his phone out of his pocket and found the message, showing it to Jace. "I've not heard from him since. Then again, I've not tried to contact him either."

"Same," Brannon said and found his phone too. He clicked around and found the conversation he had had with Phoenix.

Jace read the almost identical messages from Phoenix, and the brief interaction of wishes for a good weekend back and forth. There were no clues in the messages other than they were sent after he had talked with Phoenix. Something inside Jace made somersaults at knowing Phoenix had told him first. So what if it was childish? The thought warmed him, but seeing how Phoenix had communicated his trip to England to Packard and Brannon as only being a weekend one, Jace felt more certain that something was wrong.

"What aren't you telling us?" Chess asked. He had looked at the messages too and felt the uneasiness ripple from Jace.

"We've had no communication from him since Friday. I don't know what to think. Rationally, my brain tells me he's just busy, but I've got this feeling I can't shake, you know?" Jace saw only sympathy and understanding in the people around him. Maybe they did not fully understand the relationship he and Phoenix had, but out of everyone, the six people in front of him understood the dynamics of a BDSM relationship better than most, and the bond he had with Phoenix, that they understood, even if how it worked between them was a mystery. "The deadline is tomorrow, and I know you're all safe here, and that might give us some extra time, but Phoenix is this fucker's ultimate goal, and he's the only one not accounted for."

"Is there anything we can do?" Eoin asked with his usual attitude of being helpful. He smiled at Jace, ready to take action if someone just told him what to do. Brannon put an arm around him and gave him a squeeze, understanding his sub's personality to the fullest.

"Rami and I are meeting with Cracker and Gareth in a few to fill Gareth in. Could you maybe text and call Phoenix regularly and see if you have any luck?" Jace knew it was a small thing to ask, and it might be futile, but if Phoenix was just busy and not in trouble as his gut told him, then a bombardment of texts and calls would make him react. If nothing else, then to tell people to stop bugging him. "And come downstairs to the common room. I think Gareth will want to meet you all when he's done having what I foresee as a meltdown of epic proportions."

Packard chuckled nervously. He was not afraid of Gareth, as a businessman or a mafia leader. Jace and Phoenix had only given him the impression of Gareth being a reputable man with strong morals and a deep-felt loyalty to the friendship he had with them. What he was worried about was Gareth's temper and how it would affect him with the type of person he was. If Phoenix was indeed missing, as Jace's worried fidgeting suggested, then Gareth would undoubtedly raise hell.

And Packard would be there right beside Gareth to help, because Phoenix and Jace mattered to him. He simply feared the sub boys, and of course Niall, would get caught in the crossfire if Gareth went on a rampage in the house before he got control of himself. Some of the stories Jace had told about Gareth were entertaining, but on the violent side.

As if Jace sensed Packard's concern, Jace smiled reassuringly. He looked past Packard at Niall and Rami on the couch, knowing why Packard's protective fatherly instincts had stirred. "He won't hurt any of you."

"He wouldn't get the chance," Chess said with a cynical laugh. "Unless he intends to do it while screaming in falsetto."

"Just no." Jace threw up his hands and backed away. Chess was fierce, and Jace had no doubts the man would take on Gareth and win if Niall was threatened. Phoenix had told Jace about what Chess had done to Levi that night at the club, and he was certain Chess would bring that move back for an encore if Gareth came too close to Niall. "Let's go down to the common room. The guys looked bored anyway."

"I think they enjoy playing with Niall," Eoin said and leaned into Brannon. "I've never seen that many adults play hide and seek and seemingly enjoy it because of one kid."

"It's a way to not get bored while being cooped up here, and it's harmless fun. I find it an enjoyable way to pass the time," Quinn added and went to grab her purse.

"Niall, want to go to the common room and play with the guys?"

The boy was up from the couch in half a second. His blond hair stood about his head, and he pulled at Rami's hand to get him to stand. "Come, come. I know what we can play."

"I have a meeting to go to with Jace." Rami stood but tried to let down Niall as gently as possible. Truth be told, he would rather play in the common room than go to a meeting with Gareth. Especially the kind of meeting he figured it would end up being.

Looking disappointed for a moment, Niall looked at Rami and then smiled. "You can play after your meeting. Don't be sad. It's ok." He ran off and pushed Sydney in front of him to the door and grabbed Eoin and Quinn's hands, knowing full well those three were the most inclined to play with him. He pulled them from the room and chattered excitedly on his way down the hallway to the stairs.

The rest of them followed at a more normal pace, though Chess rushed a bit because his kid was out of sight. Not that he needed to. Out of the about ten people who had been stationed in the hallway to protect them, only three were left. The rest had obviously followed Niall. He had no fears about being at the mansion. The men there had put up a wall of protection around them 24/7, and they got taken care of by Natalya and her staff as if it was a five-star hotel. He simply had that father worry that Niall would get lost in the enormous house. If they had not limited their hide-and-seek games to the first floor, he was sure Niall would still be hiding in some obscure place. Like a laundry basket in a room on the third floor, or inside a filing cabinet on the office floor. Not that limiting the playground had made it easier to find him. One day, they had searched for almost an hour, panicking to the fullest, and finally found him eating cookies with the nurses in the hospital ward. The boy had laughed his scrawny ass off and told them they were bad at playing.

"How are you doing?" Jace asked Brannon when walking down the stairs behind Chess, Packard, and Rami.

"I'm fine. I don't much appreciate not being able to go outside or leave, but this place has its perks. The gym is next level."

Jace grinned. That was a typical Brannon answer, and he understood the lack of freedom would get on everyone's nerves. It got to him too, with the constant bodyguards up in his business, but Jace viewed it as a necessary evil to stay alive for the time being with that carrot of freedom at the end.

"The upside," Brannon continued, "I've never had this much time with Eoin, and that I must admit I like a lot." Wiggling his eyebrows, Brannon nudged Jace. "He has his own room, but he sleeps in mine. I'm not sure if I should thank my lucky stars for this opportunity, or if I should go after the prick who made my boy this scared."

Brannon sighed deeply and lost the playful charm from a moment before. His shoulders hunched a bit before he spoke again. "He's putting on such a brave face. Eoin won't ever complain or burden others with his worries, but he's scared. For all of us."

Putting his hand on Jace's shoulder, Brannon stopped Jace and turned him for them to see each other. "I'm so sorry about Tana. I know I wrote you a text to offer my condolences. I just wanted to tell you in person too. She'll be missed. She was a bit much, but she was a good friend to you and brought a lot of life to the group."

"Thank you. I know she liked all of you." Jace swallowed hard. The wound was still open, and his emotions were too raw to talk about Tana. It was too surreal to fully comprehend. "I'm sorry I haven't been here with you in your forced captivity. I couldn't leave her alone in that cold hospital."

"You have nothing to apologize for. This is not your fault, and your place was with Tana. We all know that. We were sad we couldn't be there to support you. If we get out of here in time for the funeral, we'll all be there."

"Thank you for saying that. You've given me more support than you'll ever know, and you've kept me worry-free by staying safe here." Blinking a few tears away, Jace tried to smile, though his entire body tensed and worked against him. The sensation in his body from it actively not wanting to smile, was odd to him. It was one thing if he told himself to not do it, but not being able to?

Was he really that affected by everything? That worried about Phoenix?

He could not crumble. Not if Phoenix needed him. With everything that man had done in the past, Jace owed it to him to keep it together.

"Promise me you'll try to reach him while I talk with Gareth?"

"As soon as I get down to the common room, I'll start calling and texting him. I'll call you if any of us gets through."

"Ok." Jace nodded like a child, not sure if what it was being told was true. "Tell me it's going to be ok. That he's ok."

"Jace..."

"No, Brannon. Lie to me. Please. Just tell me Phoenix is ok. I can't lose him."

The desperation in Jace, that note of hysteria in his voice and a havoc of emotions under the surface, had Brannon aching with desperation too. He could only imagine how close to the edge Jace was with the situation. If it was the Dominant instinct in him, telling him a sub needed comfort, or that sense of brotherhood he had felt over the last week, being among a bunch of men, who treated each other as an extended family, Brannon did not know. All he understood clearly was that Jace was on the verge of worrying himself into the ground, and the one solid voice of calm in his life was missing.

Jace stiffened when Brannon pulled him into a hug. The unexpected move shoved him from the ledge he had clung to, and that freefall of emotions became too much. Brannon felt as comforting and dependable as Phoenix. His arms had a firm embrace, and his chest moved in calm, regular moves as he breathed, and Jace sunk into the feeling. The smell was different, the size of Brannon too, but both men had that hero shield about them. The illusion of protecting with their being against anything.

"Listen to me, Jace," Brannon mumbled close to Jace's ear. He held onto Jace and felt how the tension in him left with each breath. "I can't begin to imagine what you're going through right now, and I know it's a lot to take in, but this is your moment. This is your chance to step up and be who Phoenix knows you to be."

They stood for a moment in silence before Brannon continued. "I don't think you realize how strong you are. Most people would have crumbled and stayed in a corner in a fetal position if they had gone through half the shit you have. You're still standing, and you have to understand what kind of person that makes you."

"A magnet for disaster?"

"Why do you think Phoenix chose you? He could have had anyone. He's a respected Dom, has a good sense of morals, and he's intelligent. Not to mention, he's handsome and well-off." Brannon did not wait for Jace to answer. "He chose you for what he saw inside you. He didn't look for a broken toy to fix, or someone who'd need his caretaker instincts. He looked for perfection, and he found that in you."

Jace scoffed. For a man of few words, Brannon sure had a lot to say. "I'm not perfect."

"To Phoenix you are. Maybe the wrapping paper is a bit worn, and many would have moved on to a shiny and unblemished present and never seen the gift inside. Phoenix saw you. The you you've always wanted to be."

Brannon loosened his arms and moved back, holding onto Jace's shoulders. "Be the man Phoenix saw in you. The one strong and capable enough to grab the attention of someone like Phoenix. Wherever he is, and if he's in trouble, he has faith in you to come for him."

"But..."

"No buts, Jace," Brannon cut him off. "It'll be ok. Phoenix will be ok, because you'll make sure of it."

The nagging voice of doubt at the back of Jace's mind quieted, the demons of low self-esteem withdrew to a dark corner to grumble and regroup, and the monsters of fear got slaughtered by the knights of self-confidence and worth, which rose to the battlefront inside Jace.

That moment of clarity in Jace's mind, when all the voices finally shut up and stopped dancing in triumph around the funeral pyre of his sense of self, lifted the veil on something Jace had not connected with since before Levi.

Who he truly was.

It felt like a switch got flipped, and a spotlight bathed him in light. Bright and unforgiving, it shone on him and revealed all of him. Jace could see everything about himself. The good and the bad, whereas before he had mainly seen the bad in the yellow hues of that funeral pyre. He had believed that was all there was to him, and Phoenix had been stupid to think there was more. The light showed him he was not perfect, but he was a lot more than he had given himself credit for being.

That brief second of seeing the bigger picture and his place in it made something click inside Jace. This was what he was supposed to do. What Phoenix had spent years nurturing through his teachings and care, because he had seen who and what Jace was behind his façade of pain and insecurities.

Jace was ready to fight. To stand strong.

He would do it because he owed that to Phoenix. But he would succeed because he was fucking good at what he did.

"You're right. I'll do it."

Jace straightened his back with a newfound confidence. He was still worried about Phoenix, and deep inside he dreaded how Gareth would react, but he did not feel fear anymore.

"Thank you, Brannon."

"Don't thank me. Thank yourself for being who you are."

Jace nodded and said nothing. That was such a Dominant thing to say, and he understood how alike Brannon and Phoenix were. Neither of them would take credit for anything another person did, even if it was done under their guidance or by their suggestion.

"Come on, Jace. Let's get downstairs. You need to go to your meeting, and I have to get on my phone to contact Phoenix."

They walked down to the common room, where Niall had already rallied most of the guys there, and a few of Natalya's staff members, and he was explaining to them in animated gestures what the game was. Jace tossed his head toward the stairs for Rami to see, and they left just as Packard and Brannon found their phones to text bomb Phoenix.

The door to the conference room was open when they reached the office floor, and they heard Gareth, Vlad, and Rotha talk with a few laughs in between. Figuring the meeting was over, Jace and Rami joined them.

"...and then this moron wouldn't cut the line and got dragged overboard," Vlad said with a laugh and smacked Rotha's shoulder when Jace and Rami entered.

Rotha blushed. "No fish was worth that swim."

"It's still a good story." Gareth laughed, his eyes twinkling from joy at being back among his men. He smiled when Jace and Rami came closer, lighting another cigarette. His throat screamed at him already, and it was barely noon, but he had chain-smoked since Friday when he got back.

"Are we telling stories?" Jace asked and gratefully took the cigarette Gareth offered him.

"I was just telling Gareth about last summer when Rotha and I went fishing with some friends," Vlad explained, still semi-laughing in between words.

"Oh?" Jace let the cigarette hang between his lips and rubbed his hands with delight. "Do tell."

"Nope, don't feed the beast." Rotha backed away, grinning at Jace's fake pout. "We should head out. I can hear lunch calling from the dining room."

"Yes, go grab lunch," Gareth said. He went to pour himself more coffee and turned back to face them as Vlad and Rotha packed their things. "Guys, take the week off. I have to go through everything with the accountants and the rest of the team. There's nothing for you to do here."

"But we have meetings and projects pending," Vlad argued with a frown.

"Rotha, reschedule the meetings, and then take the week off. I'll see you on Saturday for the party, and then we'll start fresh next week when I'm back up to speed."

Vlad and Rotha glanced at Jace to get the ok to take Gareth up on his offer. They, too, had been under semi-lockdown, since they were also mentioned on the stalker page as possible targets, though after a lengthy discussion with Phoenix and Cracker, they had all agreed that they were low-priority targets compared to others on the list. In all likelihood, they were on the list because the stalker had seen Phoenix with them at diners and going to meetings, and they would serve as collateral damage to weigh on Phoenix's guilt, though others would get to him more, and the stalker would hit those first.

Jace gave a slight nod, knowing they had a bodyguard each, and would have a safety escort from the mansion to their apartments in the city.

Vlad closed his bag and sped toward the door. "I'm not one to say no to a week off." He smiled over his shoulder, waiting for Rotha to catch up. "See you Saturday, but call if something comes up. I'll probably be in bed with Netflix and junk food most of the time."

Gareth made a shooing motion with his hand. "We'll manage. Enjoy your free time."

"Thanks, G. I'll reschedule the meetings and probably take a few days of leisure sailing with my buddy." Rotha waved at all of them, following Vlad to the door with a skip to his steps.

"No fishing," Gareth called and received a laugh from Rotha.

"Don't think I'll forget about that story," Jace yelled after them.

"We'll see," Rotha yelled back from the hallway.

Jace sipped his coffee and looked at Gareth. "How'd the meeting go?"

"If not counting a severe case of whiskey brain, it went well." Lifting his hand to rub his face, Gareth smiled sheepishly. "I'm never drinking again."

"Until next time?" Rami joked with a knowing raised eyebrow.

"A man has a standpoint until he changes it." Gareth shrugged and winked, knowing full well he would drink again soon enough. Probably before the party he had planned for his welcome back on Saturday. "But I'm truly impressed with the reports Vlad presented. He and Phoenix have stepped up. I knew I had hired the best and put together an amazing team. I can't wait for your reports."

Jace smiled to himself as he listened to Gareth praise Phoenix and Vlad. With everything that had happened the last year, and how Phoenix had not only done his own job but Jace's half the time too, he could not fathom how the man had found the energy to be the caring and attentive man outside of work as he had been.

That was who Phoenix was. A complex personality with many features Jace adored. He could not say it was one thing about Phoenix which attracted him. Sure, the man was hot to look at. He was an excellent dominant, and he was probably the smartest man Jace knew, but the nuances beyond those labels made Phoenix worth fighting for.

Worth worrying about.

And truth be told, Jace was still worried, though he had no proof that he should be. But he knew Phoenix would have answered his messages if he could. Maybe not within five minutes, but before bed or something, when he had a moment to himself. He always found time and 'always' took precedence.

Jace knew Phoenix's behavior. His accountability and sense of responsibility were trademarks of his, and as a Dominant, Phoenix would have been compelled to reply to not upset his sub. If Jace meant nothing else to the man, then his role as sub was held in high regard within Phoenix's code of conduct.

Gareth kept throwing praises all over the place, while Jace's worries about Phoenix reached new heights, and he was almost happy when Gareth's phone rang to stop the praise tsunami from Gareth, otherwise Jace would have burst and broken down, telling Gareth about his worries before Cracker got there with hopefully good news to ease his mind.

With an apologetic nod, Gareth took the call and went to the window to talk, leaving Rami and Jace to glance at each other and wait in silence. They stood and listened to Gareth babble in some foreign language, both of them unsure what would happen when Cracker arrived.

While waiting, Jace had almost convinced himself that he was overreacting, but the second Cracker came rushing into the room with his phone pressed against his ear, the expression on his face made Jace's hope plummet.

Cracker snapped his fingers loud to get Gareth's attention and pointed at the phone he still held to his ear with urgency when Gareth turned.

Gareth immediately noticed the glum, tight face Cracker had on, and how Rami moved to close the door without being asked. Something was up, and he quickly ended his call, walking to the conference table where Cracker had put his phone on the polished surface, clicking the speaker on.

"Horse, have you pinged their phones?"

Scratching his neck while his brain tried to catch up to the unsaid emergency Cracker displayed, Gareth listened intensely when Horse responded.

"Yes, I have Cellmate patching through too. Phoenix's phone last pinged from a tower near the airport on Friday. No activity since."

Gareth said nothing, but his attention sharpened when Phoenix's name was mentioned.

"There's been no activity from Danil and Timur's since Friday either. They also pinged from the airport tower," Cellmate informed in his deep voice.

"There's been activity on Artyom's phone twice since Friday. Once in the city center yesterday, and once outside Wexford on Saturday. Both times coincide with when you received updates," Horse explained in an unusually serious tone. "All phones are turned off now, but I'm trying to track them through Find my iPhone. It just takes a sec because I have to go through the backdoor. All of them have Find Phone turned off."

Cracker sighed deeply. "I've called Artyom's wife, Danil's girlfriend, and Timur's flavor of the month on my way here, all said the same. No communication since Friday."

"So, they didn't make it to England?" Jace asked.

"I've checked the airline reservations, and they're listed as no-shows in the manifest for the booked flight." Cellmate gave the information, though everyone knew Phoenix and his team had not left Ireland.

Dizziness hit Jace like an avalanche. The wind got knocked out of him, and his lungs burned for air when horror scenarios entered his mind.

Phoenix was officially missing.

It was not a gut feeling anymore.

Hi dear Wattlings.

Thank you for reading.

Now that they finally know Phoenix is missing, they need to take action. What do you think the gang will do to find him? And how long will it take?

If you like it, then pop a vote and please leave comments. The comments are important for me to know how the story is progressing and the characters are developing. And I'd love to know what you think and interact with y'all.

Give me a follow too for updates on other work and put this book in your library. I'd appreciate that.

Love, Alix

Published: April 8th, 2023. ©Alix Davenport, Copenhagen