too.”
“Hold on a second,” he said. “I’m in a middle of a meeting. Can I call you back in a few minutes?”
“Sure,” I said, a little unsure if I should be calling Collins McGregor about my problems. I mean, he was probably so busy, he didn’t have the time to even eat.
“Good, Sam,” Collins McGregor said. “I’ve canceled all my appointments. I just need to get through this meeting, then we can talk.”
“Here’s my number…” I started to say, but he cut me off.
“I have it already, Sam. Five minutes to wrap up this meeting, and I’m all yours,” he said with a hint of amusement.
Despite how anxious I felt about Mom and Nydia, I felt his voice caress me with the “I’m all yours,” and I got an electrifying thrill that ran down my back.
What was I thinking? Collins McGregor probably thought I had called him for one thing and one thing only…
My cell phone rang, and the Caller ID was unlisted. I picked up. “Hi,” I said.
“Hi,” and I heard a smile at the other end. “Now Miss Sullivan…can you tell me why you called me?”
“I’m sorry you had to cancel your meetings,” I said. “But I didn’t know where to turn.”
There was a change in tone, from amusement to concern. “Don’t worry about the meetings. How are you doing? What can I help you with?”
“I figure if there’s anyone who would know anything about security, it would be someone like you,” I said.
“Yes?” He asked. “Where are you? Are you in any danger?”
“No, no, I’m fine. I just need your help in tracking someone who’s gone missing.”
There was a pause, and my heart began pounding. What if Collins McGregor didn’t want to help? What if he thought I was some kind of imposition?
“Stay where you are,” he said, “I’ll come find you.”
“No, I’m fine. My mother is the one. I can’t find her, and she’s not picking up.”
“Sam, don’t worry, my office isn’t that far away. I’ll be at your house shortly.” Then he hung up.
He knew where I lived? If it wasn’t for me knowing he was a mega mogul and probably had his security team check out anyone he gave his personal phone number to, I’d find the fact Mr. Hot Bod and Sexy knowing where I live pretty stalker-like. But wasn’t that why I had called him?
I went to my room, threw my school bag into my large worn but plush yellow armchair, and went to my closet. My room had the appearance of normalcy – white four poster queen size bed, white furniture, sliding mirror closet, comfortable yellow and white checked duvet. Cozy and comfortable, that was how my room looked like. I unbuttoned my skirt and let it fall to the ground. Padding my way to my closet, I pulled out a pair of folded stretched skinny jeans and shimmied my way in. Next I put on a pair of socks and black converse. I kept my blouse on and decided to pull my hair up into a ponytail. Next I washed my face, put on some lotion, lip gloss, and mascara. I wasn’t dressing up for Collins McGregor. I wanted to look presentable and fresh, I told myself. Heck, who was I kidding? I brushed my teeth, too.
When I was done, I checked my phone for missed messages. No messages from Dad or Mom, but there was one from Collins McGregor.
Left a minute ago.
I listened to it while I put on a navy jacket.
“Hi Sam,” the voicemail said. “I made it to your house and am standing in front of your