Chapter 4

Julian’s POV

Julian returned shortly after ten carrying champagne and pastries from Elena’s favorite bakery.

The house was dark.

“Elena?”

No one answered.

He placed everything on the kitchen counter and called her. The phone rang several times before going to voicemail.

Elena was angry. That was all.

He had missed Christmas and most of New Year’s Eve, but he had returned before midnight as promised.

Once she saw the champagne and pastries, she would calm down long enough to hear his explanation.

Then he opened their location-sharing app.

Her location was unavailable.

Uneasiness followed him upstairs. The bedroom lights…