“Which unit?”

“Both of them. One is our residence; the other is for my husband’s business. We knew the penthouse owners intended to rent out their place for a year. So I was surprised to see them back yesterday. I know a year hasn’t passed since they left.” She shot a look over her shoulder. “I asked the night security guard about it and he said that the renter had movers here packing her stuff up at ten o’clock, night before last.”

His sinking feeling became more acute. That was the night he’d gotten drunk. Jesus. Had he said something so wrong and stupid that she packed up?

Liberty leaned as close as her belly allowed. “Level with me. You’re a big guy; she’s a little whip of a thing. Did you somehow hurt her and it scared her, so she bailed?”

He bit back a laugh. “No. I’ll admit we had a fight that night. But I never imagined it’d result in this.”

“You said you had problems at the dojo where you both worked? Where is that?”

Knox didn’t blame this woman for her suspicions, but he couldn’t give too much away. “We’re both at Black Arts. I am—or I was—Sensei Ronin Black’s second-in-command. And before you ask, no, I haven’t contacted Ronin. I came here first.”

“I’d try the next place on your list, then, because she doesn’t live here anymore.”

“Fuck.” He pushed to his feet and waited until Liberty stood. “Thanks for your help.”

“No problem.” She eyed him with speculation.

“What? I swear I didn’t hurt her.” His voice dropped. “I could never hurt her.”

“I believe you. I was just wondering about your comment regarding not being Ronin Black’s second-in-command any longer. Does that mean you’re looking for work?”

That’d come out of left field. “Maybe. Why?”

Liberty unhooked a small purse that Knox hadn’t even noticed—he suspected she was carrying concealed too—and handed him a business card.

It read: GSC. SECURITY SPECIALISTS.

His eyes met hers in a silent question.

“We’re diverse in our services. With your military background and your martial-arts abilities, we’d definitely be interested in talking to you. Not necessarily for security work in the field, but we have a very active training program for our existing security specialists.”

“Thank you. After I get this mess straightened out, I’ll look you up.”

“Cool. Good luck.”

Knox returned to his truck. His irritation surfaced again. He’d checked his phone as soon as he’d had service and he didn’t have a single missed call or any angry texts. His calls to Shiori’s cell had gone right to voice mail.

That’s when he remembered he hadn’t listened to Ronin’s message from yesterday morning. He hit playback. Ronin’s deadly quiet tone sent a shiver up his spine.

“I don’t know what the fuck you’ve done or where the hell you are, but I came in to my office this morning and found a letter of resignation from my sister. Along with a note that indicated she’d returned to Japan.”

Knox hit pause.

She’d really left. She’d left him.

Fury, fear, frustration filled him, choked him, grabbed him by the balls. He clutched his phone so tightly he popped the case off. Then he forced himself to set it down so he didn’t crush it.

Breathe. Goddammit, breathe.

Once the roaring in his head quit and the white spots cleared from his eyes, he resumed listening to the call.

“What the fuck? You’re MIA, Shiori is gone, and that’s a clusterfuck of epic proportions. If I find out that you hurt her in any way, so help me god I will . . . No, Jesus, Amery! Let go. Give me back my goddamn phone.” Knox stared at the screen, and a moment of silence passed before Amery’s voice came on the recording. She spoke rapidly and quietly. “Knox. After you get this message, come see me at work—don’t go to Black Arts. You did me a solid once, and I owe you.”

The call ended.

Fuck.

At least he knew which direction he was going.

*   *   *

SO maybe he was a little wild-eyed when he stormed into Hardwick Designs half an hour later.

Molly was in his face first. “What the fuck did you do to her to make her go away?”

“Back off.”

“I’m so mad at you right now, if I had my gloves on I’d pound on you.”

Knox exhaled. “I’d let you do it. Maybe then I’d feel something besides being absolutely fucking numb.”