Page 142 of Wallflower

“Yeah, yeah. You’ll all get a well-deserved raise.” Rip rolls his eyes. “You said you had footage to show us?”

Bucky’s eyes dart to me, hesitation sewn through every one of his features.

“Is it bad?” I query.

“It’s not great,” Bucky replies.

“But it confirms nothing,” Kyle adds on. “The body’s concealed, and nothing distinguishing can be seen.”

My stomach drops into my ass, nausea working its way up my esophagus.

“I can watch it first, if you want,” Ripley offers.

“No, I’ll be fine.”

“That’s the spirit,” Kyle says in an upbeat tone, falling back into the seat. He spins back around to the computer, fingers click-clacking across the keyboard.

Bucky sidles up alongside me. “We haven’t found a single trace of your sister on any of the footage. None of her coming in or leaving. It’s like she was never here.”

“What? That’s impossible.”

“It’s not, I’m sorry. Not only is the facial recognition software I designed immaculate, I cross-referenced the main entrance camera with the recording from the adjoining room. The footage of you being subdued is there, but the main entranceway feed doesn’t exist.”

“So, she was wiped from the system entirely?” I exclaim.

“Seems that way.”

Rip’s leaned over Kyle’s shoulder, eyes focused on the screen as black garbage bags are removed from the lilac room, followed by a body-shaped tarp bound in twine thrown over a bald worker’s tattooed shoulder.

“Brad,” Ripley and I say in unison. His eyes shoot to mine, concern and fear turning the irises black as the deepest depths of the ocean. “He always said he’d kill her if I didn’t please him…” I murmur, and Rip pulls me close.

“That may not be her. Maximus and Brad were the kind of sick where they’d show you her corpse if it existed.”

“She was most likely wiped from the system at the request of whoever…umm…” Bucky stumbles over his words.

“Purchased her,” I finish, and he nods.

Ripley lays a soft kiss to my temple. “We’ll find her, Bucky’s the best. Maximus couldn’t have possibly wiped every camera on the island, she’ll show up.” Looking back to Kyle, Rip says, “Pull up that footage of Rose you just mentioned. I’d like to see what she did that caused such a problem.”

“I wouldn’t advise it,” Kyle warns. “She goes down hard.” I nod in agreement.

“I don’t pay you to advise, I pay you to do as I say.”

“I still have your credit card, asshole.”

“Good, use it to buy yourself a manual on how to follow fucking orders.”

Kyle leans back, looking past Ripley to me. “You really like this guy? He’s kind of a dick.”

Rip freezes, though I’m sure I’m the only one who notices. “Yes, I like him. Quite a bit, actually. His dick’s one of his best qualities.”

Ripley’s face turns the brightest shade of red I’ve ever seen as both his friends chuckle.

“Just remember, his old face is hotter than his new one.”

“I disagree,” I reply, as Rip topples the chair Kyle is sitting in. His friend hits the floor as he whirls back to me. Ripley’s eyes burn, devouring without a single touch. I feel it fucking everywhere. My skin threatens to melt as he heats me from the inside out.

“Please don’t fuck in my new office,” Bucky says quietly, efficiently popping the bubble we were in.