Blaze (Virtues & Lies 3)

“Penny.”

“I’ve tried to call Fleur, but she’s not answering.”

Grace’s loud cries make the weight in my chest leaden to the pit of my stomach. “Is Grace okay?”

“She’s all right. I woke her up to get her ready for Mummy almost an hour ago, and I think it upset her.”

“An hour ago?”

“Almost.”

A shudder runs through me. It’s savage, turning over my insides as it rakes through me with dread.

“I’ve tried calling her, but she’s not answering.”

“Okay, I’m almost done here. I’ll come pick Grace up now.”

“No rush. I found it odd that she wasn’t answering my calls, and when I tried Arabella…”

Fuck.

“Arabella isn’t answering either?”

“No.”

“I’ll call you back.” Ending the call, I phone Fleur.

The dial tone wracks through me, chilling me to the core.

Something’s happened. I feel it with every fibre of my being.

&n

bsp; Fuck. Everything goes out of the window as I get up and round the table to stand next to Freddie.

“Find Fleur’s phone and the tracker.”

I keep calling. Every ring sets me more on edge, to the point that I can’t wait around anymore. My logic is overruled by my fear that she’s in danger. That my trouble is in actual trouble.

“It’s at the Winterbourne house.”

“Cars?” I ring her bodyguard’s phone, but it’s no use.

“Same.”

“Fuck!” Without any further thought, I start for the door.

“What’s going on?” Freddie’s chasing after me to the lifts.

“She’s in trouble.”

“Fleur?”

“Who the fuck else, idiot?” I’m pressing the button like it might make the lift come faster. “I can fucking feel it.”

The doors ding open, and as we ride down, I check my pockets for my keys.

“Go back upstairs and finish with Vanya.”