I have never been a fan of cryptic messages—those texts that say things like 'Call me when you can...' or 'Can we talk?' or, my personal favorite, 'Hey...' after it's been years since you talked to that person.

As I drove to the speakeasy, my mind spun, analyzing Laurence's cryptic message. It felt like trying to solve a stupid text message mystery.

The girls would have figured out what his message was about... I should really start a group chat with them.

I continued to replay Laurence's message as I parked, growing more worried.

Miss Autumns—the formal version of my name. Something about it didn't sit well with me. We had moved past that. I was certain of it. Did he feel weird addressing emails with my first name?

I walked toward the warehouse that hid the speakeasy, my concern growing. I need to speak to you urgently. Please meet me in the backroom of the Speakeasy ASAP. He never used the abbreviation 'ASAP.'

Something wasn't sitting right. The location he picked, although welcome, didn't make sense. He was sick, he should have been home. I could have easily gone there.

Tugging open the warehouse doors, I was stuck on the final set of words. And don't tell Miss Winters.

He wasn't one to keep secrets— other than the hotel room fiasco, but keeping secrets from his boss? That wasn't like him. Whatever it was, whatever brought him to the speakeasy, into that back secret room was a big secret.

Walking into a small waiting room, the cozy, dim lighting and black walls washed over me like a cozy blanket of comfort. I was clearly blowing things out of proportion. He was probably tired of being cooped up inside.

The woman behind the small silver reception desk, wore her classic 1920s black dress but her signature smile was gone, replaced by a concerned look. "Royal is waiting for you."

My heart squeezed. Laurence must look terrible. I should try to convince him to go back home. He's obviously worrying people.

I thanked her and moved through the speakeasy, too focused to get pulled into the music or ambience. As I reached the bookcase that hid the secret door, I suddenly came to a dead stop, unable to breath. The world seemed to melt away. The 1920's swing band's upbeat music fizzled out, the people dressed in all types of 1920's outfits sitting at the small tables and booths sprinkled throughout the warehouse faded away, and I was left with a single, mind clearing though.

Royal is waiting for you...

Dread crawled up inside of me as the bookcase shifted and the secret door slid open. Before I could wrap my head around what was happening, I was pulled inside and the door slid shut behind me, blocking my exit, invisible to the naked eye again.

"Hello Miss Autumns... It's been a while."

Everything snapped into place. The lady at the front hadn't been concerned, she had been afraid. Afraid for me. Afraid of the particular Royal she had led inside. Because the Royal standing before me wasn't Laurence. It was his brother, Carter Royal, and he was out of jail.

...

"Carter," I forced myself to say calmly even as his goon, Derik, took up residence at the only exit, eyeing me with a far too interested expression, his mouth set in a cruel smirk. The goon had ink black hair pulled back into a man bun and was pouring Skittles into his mouth like they were his only source of food.

"No wonder that poor woman at the front looked so unhappy," I said, looking back at Carter.

The words were out of my mouth before I could think better of it. A downside of my new found courage and confidence.

I like that I am brave... and learn from my mistakes.

This man had almost destroyed Royal Fashion, nearly killed Allie, sent his own brother to jail, and I was treating him like an irritating solicitor that had found their way up to the top floor of Royal Winters.

Carter is what you would call 'classically handsome.' Strong jaw, chocolate brown curly hair, emerald green eyes and immaculate features. Where Laurence was what Allie had always called – 'too hot to trust', Carter had a boyish quality to him. He came across as harmless and made you want to trust him with his tortured artist and approachable look.

But I knew better. His lopsided, easy smile would not disarm me. "Well well... look who found her voice. You were always so quiet when I worked at Royal Fashion."

"I never had anything kind to say to you. So I didn't see the point in talking," I replied, my voice strong, my new fond confidence no doubt trying to get me killed.

"Since I now know you are capable of speech, let's chat." He kicked a lone chair across the floor until it came sliding to a stop before me, his kind approach vanishing, emerald eyes flashing with an unspoken threat.

"Sit."

I wasn't given a chance to decide before Derik, shoved me down into the seat.

Carter sat down across from me on the coffee table, eyeing me with a dark, dangerous tug of his lips, all boyish charm gone. "I see Laurence finally got around to sleeping with his secretary."

Ah. Classic line. How original.

When I didn't react— You didn't grow up with six brothers without becoming thick skinned and a little feral— he tilted his head to the side, analyzing me.

You could become someone he tries to break... Laurence had said. His words sent me tilting my chin up in defiance. I refused to be someone Carter would destroy, a plaything that would become an emotional hostage in his game. Someone that Laurence would look back on and regret ever allowing himself to even think of wanting.

"Since you get paid to take his messages, we thought we'd leave one with you..."

Carter leaned forward, his breath washing across my face like an unwelcome stench. "We'll be watching him. And will repay every kindness he showed us when he put us away."

Bile seemed to crawl up my throat as Derik squeezed my shoulder's in a tight, iron grip, a firm warning to stay seated.

Every fear that Laurence ever had sat across from me, threatening to destroy everything Laurence had ever loved. It broke my heart and left me furious.

"How did you send me that email?" I asked, ignoring his threat, surprised by my ability to look utterly bored. It was like I had flipped a switch in my brain. One that was fueled by protecting Laurence.

Because if I looked terrified, I would just prove every one of Laurence's fears right. And I refused to let that happen. Laurence deserved better.

He deserves better than this butt hat of a brother. He deserves better than a life of fear.

You deserve everything Lily...

Laurence's words rang through me, soft, like a gentle strum of a chord. You deserve everything, Lily.

I added to the single note, my own thought clear and determined, a tiny harmony. You deserve everything, Laurence.

The truth of the words settled over me like armor.

I won't let this creepy twerp and his even creepier goony twerp break me.

"I used to work at Royal Fashion. His email isn't difficult to hack," Carter said with a cocky shrug.

I made a note to bring Bex into the office and upgrade our entire security system. This is a terrible way to find out that we need to update things.

"Laurence's knows to look out for my tricks. You on the other hand... are still pliable."

The possessive tone sent alarm bells screaming through me, and I began to mentally go through every vulnerable place to punch someone, a fighting technique I had learned from my brothers.

"How'd you get out?" I asked, ignoring the way Derik's hand was till on my shoulder and slowly moving up toward my neck, sending chills across my skin.

Carter laughed, the sound relaxed, like a man who had his entire life ahead of him. Like the thought of threatening someone's life was just a regular Tuesday. "Thank the legal system. It's become quite kind to criminals. Say the right things, act the right way and they let you go early."

He's a sweet talker, Laurence had said. He'll eventually be let out. Then he'll play his games with me all over again.

Laurence had warned me, had built his entire life around the danger his brother brought. He had pushed me away until I was thousands of miles from his brother and then had taken one selfish moment before he was thrown back into reality.

Carter stood and moved around the room, picking up different books, making my skin itch. It felt like he was marking his territory, claiming this space— which Laurence cherished so much— as his own. A place I loved too.

"My brother bought this Speakeasy," he said running his fingers along of the leather chairs.

I couldn't hide my surprise. "You didn't know... Interesting."

Carter smiled as he turned to look at me. "I thought it was a strange purchase when word reached me, but..."

You are the most consistent part of my life, Laurence had said. And to someone like Carter, that won't go overlooked.

Carter looked at all of me, from my 1920's Mary Jane high heel shoes, my navy blue flapper dress, to my dark brown hair— which Derik was currently touching— like it was all the information he needed to confirm his suspicions. "Seeing your style choice, a few things added up."

My heart hammered, my veins thrumming with panicked adrenaline. I tried not to read into what he claimed. But everything about the Speakeasy felt like a love letter. I had always thought the speakeasy felt like it was made for me, and now a part of me wondered if that isn't what happened.

My chest ached. Laurence. Why did you buy this place?

Carter brought his face close to mine, light eyes drinking in my expression. I couldn't lie. It was like Laurence had designed a place just for me. It was perfect and I hated that I hard learned about all of this from Carter.

"Any other messages?" I asked cooly. "Or can I go back to work?" I stood up and shot a look at Derik. "Do need a password to get by you?"

"Just a kiss," Derik said with a smirk.

"Not happening," I replied dryly.

Carter chuckled. "Derik can come on a little strong. He was just here to make sure no one interrupted our private chat."

AKA cutting off exits, making it impossible for me to leave.

I moved to pass Derik, but he grabbed my wrist, stopping me. "Just a kiss," he said in a teasing tone, his grip tight, determined.

A moment later, Derik's nose was bleeding and I was shaking out my uninjured hand, shoving past him and out into the speakeasy. I could hear Carter laughing behind me, pleasantly surprised by the pain I had caused.

I made it back to my car, starting it with shaky fingers before I peeled away.

I punched Derik... Carter is out of jail and I punched his muscle...

The reality of it made me feel sick, the entire situation crashing down on me. My breathing became erratic, my pulse wild as I called Laurence through the bluetooth in my car. The phone rang, and rang, and rang, but he didn't answer.

"Answer your phone!"

Does Carter know where Laurence lives? Is he going there next? Will they follow me if I go? Is Laurence's security detail keeping him safe?

I called again. Still no answer.

Laurence's request played in my mind. If you ever see him. Even if it's someone who remotely looks like him, I need you to promise that you will tell me. No matter how small of a coincidence. No matter what time of day or night it is.

I called again. He still didn't pick up.

Gripping the wheel tightly, I drove faster, hoping I would find him at home, safe. I had made him a promise, and I intended to keep it.

...

After five more unanswered calls on the way over, followed by five minutes of banging on the front door, growing more and more panicked when he didn't answer, I could barely think straight.

Come on Laurence... Please be okay... Please be okay... Please be okay.

Closing my eyes, my fingers curled against the door, and I sucked in a deep, rattling breath, trying to think.

How do I find him. Where could he be? What am I supposed to do–

Clarity struck, and after a moment, I did something I never thought I would do again. I picked the lock to Laurence Royal's house and let myself inside, somewhat surprised when none of his secret bodyguards jumped out from a nearby bush and tackled me.

Either they know who I am and think this is normal behavior which isn't a great look for me, or they aren't around which is probably worse.

"Laurence?" I called into the dark house.

No answer.

Taking a deep breath, I walked into the darkness, determined to face whatever lay ahead.

Laurence jumped in after me. Time for me to do the same.

---

Thank you for reading chapter twenty three! I hope you are enjoying the story! Or are at least curious to see where it goes! Add this story to your reading list to know when the next chapter drops!

UPDATE DAYS - A NEW CHAPTER EVERY FRIDAY!

Is Laurence okay? What will Lily find at his house?

Will Derik get revenge for that punch?

Are Laurence's bodyguard's nearby?

What will Carter do?

What will happen next?

CHAPTER QUESTION - Where is your favorite cozy place to hang out?