Buttons & Hate (Buttons 2)

That wasn’t a good sign.

He stopped at the end of the corridor, his hands still tucked behind his back. “The police are here.”

My blood went ice-cold.

“And they’re looking for Miss Pearl.”

Now my heart stopped altogether. “What did you tell them?”

“I said I didn’t know anything and I would retrieve the owner of the estate.”

I kept my body calm and my face stoic. Panicking wouldn’t solve anything. “Did they say anything else?”

“No. Just have a few questions for you.”

I paced in front of him, rubbing the back of my neck. I wasn’t sure how to handle the situation. Did they trace her back to my estate? Did someone tip them off? Was it Bones?

“Sir, they’re waiting.”

“I know.” Was someone still looking for her? She didn’t have family and Jacob certainly didn’t give a damn. Then who was it? “I’ll be right there.” I walked back to the bedroom and saw her lying on the bed where I left her.

When she saw the look on my face she knew something was wrong. “What is it?”

“The police are here. They’re looking for you.” I told her she could leave when she wanted, but now her chauffeur was right at the door. All she had to do was walk out and she’d be returned home. She could tell them I held her against her will and throw me in prison for a long time.

“There are? How did they know I was here?”

“I’m not sure. But I’ll figure it out.”

She rose to her feet and crossed her arms over her chest, standing there naked. “What do we do?”

“It’s up to you. If you want to walk down there and leave I won’t stop you.” If she wanted to extract her revenge she could. Nothing was in her way now.

“Walk down there?” she asked quietly. “I don’t want them to know I’m here.”

My eyes widened in surprise. I tried to keep my expression under control but I couldn’t. Her escape route was right outside my front door but she didn’t want to leave. She wanted to stay right here—with me. “You’re sure?”

Hesitance came into her eyes. “Who’s looking for me?”

“I don’t know.”

“I just...I’ve been gone for nine months. Anyone who was concerned about me would have given up by now.”

I had the same thought. “Maybe they stopped looking eight months ago but some lead turned up and they decided to check it out.” I wouldn’t know until I spoke with them.

“Yeah...maybe.”

“You want me to tell them you aren’t here?” I needed clear confirmation before I went through with it. She was no longer my prisoner, but my equal. Her ticket back to America was right outside. If she wanted to take it, she had every right to.

“Yes.”

“You’re sure?”

She nodded. “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

She was looking for me? “Don’t worry about me. I can handle the police. If you want to leave, do it.”

Her eyes fell in disappointment. “Do you want me to leave...?”

“Of course not. If I had it my way you’d be stuck in this house for the rest of your life. But you aren’t my slave anymore. If you want to leave...I don’t want to get in the way.”

“I don’t. And I don’t want you to be taken by the police.”

“Alright. Then I’m going to go down there.”

She nodded.

“Last chance.”

“I’m sure.”

I gave her one final look before I turned to the door. I took my time just incase she changed her mind. But a protest never happened. She let me go without another word.

She wanted to stay.

***

The police asked routine questions in their missing persons investigation. They had a picture of Pearl. She was young in the photo, probably in college at the time. They didn’t seem to suspect I had her in the house. All they wanted to know was if I’d seen her in Tuscany. A lot of my employees lived in wine country so they asked I make a statement at my distribution centers the following day.

And that was it.

But I did ask the question I wanted to know. “Her parents must be worried sick. Are they the ones encouraging this investigation?” I couldn’t outright ask the question without looking suspicious.

“No. Not a family member.” They didn’t elaborate before they left. That was all they gave me before they walked back to their police cars and got off my property.

Their lack of answer just made me paranoid. Who called them to my home? Was it someone I knew? Possibly Cane? Was it someone else? I hated not getting my way, and being left with questions instead of answers infuriated me.

“I don’t think they’re suspicious,” Lars said. “Perhaps their intuition isn’t as good as the police claim.”

I wasn’t in the mood to talk. “Good night, Lars.”

“Good night, sir.” He gave me a slight bow before he entered the kitchen.