If she didn’t want to talk to me, perhaps I could use the security cameras to check she was safe. I clicked onto the feed and frowned. She wasn’t at her desk. An image flashed into my mind of her huddled in her apartment, afraid. But the image didn’t sit right. Willow was stronger than that.

I scrolled through contacts in my phone until I found her supervisor, Anja, and called.

“Hi, King,” Anja said briskly. “What can I help you with?”

My mouth went dry. It wasn’t exactly appropriate for me to use my position to check up on the woman I was involved with. But given everything she’d been through, it was warranted. Somebody needed to look out for her.

“King?” Anja prompted.

I cleared my throat. “Is Willow Lennox in the office today?”

She fell quiet, and I assumed she was checking a calendar or roster. “Yes, I have her marked as present.”

I stared at the empty desk on my camera feed. Perhaps she’d gone to get a coffee or a snack. But there was no jacket slung over her chair, and no bag perched on the desk.

It felt off.

“Thanks,” I said. “Talk later.”

I’d just have to go over there myself. With more eagerness than I’d have liked to admit, I left my office. Fiona glanced up as I passed but didn’t comment. Perhaps she saw the concern on my face.

When I reached Willow’s desk, she still wasn’t there. Imani flashed me a quick smile but didn’t say anything.

My eyes narrowed. I spent a lot of time reading people, and she was nervous.

“Have you seen Willow?” I asked.

She pursed her lips. “I’m sure she’s around somewhere.”

I strode to her desk. “But have you seen her?” She looked torn, and I continued more softly. “I don’t want to get anyone in trouble, Imani. I’m worried about her.”

“Oh.” Finally, her eyes cleared. “She hasn’t been in today. I covered for her because I thought she deserved the time off after what she’s been through.”

My stomach tightened. While Imani’s behavior wasn’t ideal, it wasn’t something I’d usually make a big deal of. “Have you spoken to her?”

She shook her head. “I tried calling but she didn’t answer.”

“Damn. So did I. Thanks for your help.” I left Imani at her desk and headed for Kade’s office. He was speaking to Sean when I let myself in.

“King, what’s up?” Kade asked.

“I need Sage Nichols’s phone number.”

Kade raised a brow. “You think I’ve got it?”

“Yes.” I didn’t have time for games. “You went with her to her grandparents’ house, so of course you do.”

I didn’t mention the fact I’d seen him checking out the quirky brunette.

He sighed, scrolled through his phone, and scrawled a number on a Post-it note.

“Thanks.”

I rushed back to my office, already entering the number into my mobile. I had a really bad feeling about this.

She answered after only a couple of rings.