Bad Pet (His Pet)

Myah crosses his arms on her chest. “Well, you know what? You should just let him do it. Look at me. My father controls my money, and I still run away.”

My father jerks his face in our direction, showing a renewed interest in Myah.

“Who’s your father, child?”

Myah meets his eyes. “It’s none of your business. You can never use me as a pawn in any of your shady business,” she says, then looks at me as if to say that I shouldn’t be one too. And then, she storms into my room. I watch her leave, and I start to feel very proud of her. The girl definitely knows how to stand her ground and be brave. I really wish I could be like her.

I bit my lip then approach my father again. I don’t want him to even think about how he can manipulate Myah. His evildoings end with me. And to protect her, I have to placate my father.

“Just text me the place and time. You may leave now.”

My father finishes his glass of scotch and leaves my apartment. I lean on the door as it closes behind him.

Chapter Fifteen - Owen

After the masked lady leaves, I wallow in frustration in my hotel suite. I wanted her to stay longer because I don’t want to be left alone with my thoughts. I stop myself from imagining the worst about my daughter’s disappearance. But still, I’m also distraught about how I couldn’t help my pet earlier. She seemed like she needed assistance, but she flat-out refused my offer.

Why does it seem like I’m failing miserably at helping anyone?

Andrew and Calvin return by five in the afternoon. They were busy performing some of the duties that I haven’t been able to focus on. They knew that I needed the suite for myself because I had a visitor coming over.

“I take it that it was a satisfying afternoon,” Calvin inquires.

I give him a half-smile and ask for an update.

“The bosses at McKenzie, Inc. have contacted more people, but nobody has seen Myah. They have also reached out to two private detectives who are looking into the airlines. They say that they may be able to check the cameras through them.”

I nod. Some good news is bound to come soon, I tell myself, trying to push away the hopeless thoughts.

“And the higherups at the Pentagon forwarded an email. They said that you are scheduled to attend a gala tonight,” Andrew adds.

I stare at Andrew. “I thought I made it clear to them that my sole focus right now is finding my daughter.”

“Yes. But they said that you may as well as use your downtime to make some connections. They are,” Andrew hesitates to go on, but I continue staring at him, “well-aware that we still have no leads by now, and some of the higher-ups are starting to think that the search is futile.”

“Fuck,” I shout. Then I remember that I shouldn’t shoot the messenger.

I have pulled Andrew and Calvin away from their lives in Washington, and they don’t deserve my irritation. So, I tell myself to calm down. The office will be dealt with when we return with my daughter.

“I can—” Calvin starts, but I cut him off.

“You, two, take a break. I can go by myself to the restaurant. You deserve some downtime. Just leave me the address and time of the meeting.” Then, I excuse myself and lock myself inside my room.

I decide to take a long nap while I wait to cool down. I know I will find my daughter. That thought repeats itself in my mind. And I let that sink in as sleep takes over me.

A couple of hours later, I stop in front of an upscale restaurant in my dress uniform. I start to debate whether this is worth my time. I initially thought that I would be at a gala, not dinner with an associate. But then, someone slams on their horn, which makes the decision for me.

I reluctantly drive to an empty parking space while taking a deep breath. I leave the car and head inside.

The restaurant is filled with people wearing too formal clothes for my liking. In my uniform, I feel outcast. Maybe I should just skip this one. I turn to leave and spot Ms. Sloane Keeley, the head of accounting at McKenzie, Inc. She looks uptight and neat at the office, but now, she has this knee-length black dress that fits all her curves. She looks seductive in her attire, yet she still exudes professionalism and power. That woman is something.

When I’m finally done assessing her ensemble, I look up at her face. The woman looks extremely annoyed. And that is when I also notice the older man walking next to her. He keeps on grabbing her arm and pulling her closer. However, Sloane keeps pulling away. I find myself feeling annoyed with the stranger. Who the fuck does he think he is?