Tonia's POV
Sleep refused to come that entire night. I tossed and turned in the empty bed, my mind racing with terrible possibilities. When dawn finally broke through the curtains, Lucien still hadn't returned home.
Fear gnawed at my stomach like a living thing. Something had gone horribly wrong. The worst part was sitting here helpless, not knowing what had happened to him or what I could do about it.
By midday, desperation drove me to make a choice I knew was dangerous. I had to contact Ryder. If something had happened to Lucien, if he'd been taken, Ryder would be the only one who might know.
My fingers trembled as I dialed the number, listening to each ring echo in my ears. What if they could trace this call somehow? Ryder had helped me escape once, but that didn't guarantee he'd keep protecting me. Still, I had to know what had become of Lucien.
The phone rang so long I thought it would go to voicemail. Then Ryder's voice came through, barely above a whisper.
