Queen of Wild Cards novel Chapter 270

He had hoped that with Julius's vast network and deep connections, tracking her down would be much easier.

"My phone was having issues today. Tell me exactly how your sister disappeared." He obviously wasn't going to tell Ian that his phone had been hit by a hacker's virus.

Ian ran a hand over his face, looking utterly exhausted. "She went out with some classmates for her birthday last night and vanished. We only found out this afternoon when her school called us.

We filed a police report two hours ago, and the cops are doing everything they can. We've tapped every single connection the Eames family has,

but we still have absolutely nothing. I'm losing my damn mind. My parents are still at the station, refusing to leave.

It got cold tonight, and I was terrified they'd get sick. They wouldn't listen to me, so I came back to grab them some warm clothes. Julius, you know everyone in this city. You have to help me!"

Julius clapped a hand firmly on his shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm heading back right now to put my people on it. Your sister will be fine."

"Thank you. Seriously. Once this nightmare is over, drinks are on me."

Ian personally walked Julius out to his car.

He prayed Julius was right, and that his sister would make it back safely.

She was his only sister. If something horrible happened to her, he couldn't even imagine how his parents would survive the grief.

Who the hell took her?

He had spent the entire day meticulously reviewing anyone the Eames family had ever crossed, or any ruthless corporate rivals, but none of them fit the profile of a kidnapping.

He had dispatched every man he had, but it was still radio silence.

Now, all his hopes rested on the police doing their jobs and Julius utilizing his network to find her.

After leaving the Eames residence, Julius sped back to the Imperial Gardens.

He stormed into his study, opened his laptop, and began tracing Stella's exact movements from that afternoon.

He had called her around three o'clock to say he wouldn't be home for dinner, and they hadn't spoken since.

Did she figure something massive out and decide to play along?

If she did it on purpose, he actually felt a marginal sense of relief.

It meant she took the bait willingly and was confident she could handle whatever came next.

But where the hell was she right now?

Was she starving? Were they hurting her?

God, she was going to be the death of him!

No, he had to dig deeper into Gideon Kaye. This entire mess was absolutely tied to him!

Julius worked relentlessly through the night, and finally, he managed to uncover a crucial lead.