Absent

Chapter 2

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One year later

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My steps were silenced by the carpet below my feet as I walked. I made my way down the hallway of the building with the security team completely surrounding me. They were large men, their suits and stony faces giving them an intimidating aura.

I wore a ruby red dress and black tights with flats on my feet. I also had on a black pea coat that tied closed around my waist. The faux brunette curls that surrounded my face were irritating and I resisted the urge the scratch my scalp. They opened the door of the home and led me to the car on the sidewalk.

"This way, Ms. Martell." One of them said as he helped me into the vehicle.

Even today's security team was unaware that I was not who they were meant to be protecting. No one but me and the FBI knew the truth. While I was swept away to her father's event, Vivian Martell was safe in custody.

Her father, Peter Martell, was the founder of P.M Law Firm which was a huge company and he was worth millions. Peter had suspected that someone was attempting to kidnap his daughter when her personal driver had been attacked, but the culprit hadn't taken anything. It was common for wealthy people to become the targets of these sort of situations, and their families were often used for ransom. Vivian, luckily, was late coming out of her violin lesson and had missed the attack.

My team had been put on the case and I was being put in Vivian's place to find out if she was truly being targeted.

Two of the security agents road in the car with me while the others followed in an additional car. All the while, Carson and my team kept a close eye on us. We made it to the event and there was still no sign of unusual activity. For all we knew, it could have been a random attack and there could be no threat present. We couldn't take that chance though, not with Vivian's life in possible danger. She was fourteen years old, two years younger than I was, and very timid from what I had seen. I could tell that she was very close with her father and he would be devastated if anything happened to her.

I stepped out of the car and once again the security team surrounded me. As we walked into the building, my coat was taken and placed with hundreds of others. The event being held tonight was a silent auction. People filled the room, drinking wine and talking animatedly to one another. The security team remained at the entrances and exits to monitor anyone coming in or out of the event. I took in a deep breath and tried to prepare myself for a long night.

"Don't get too close to anyone." Carson's voice sounded in my ear. "They might be able to tell you're not Vivian."

I sighed. "This'll be fun." I muttered.

"Don't look too down Buttercup." Carson's voice was laced with amusement. "You just need to stand in for Vivian until we find the threat. Probably only take a couple of years."

"Very funny." I said dryly. The thought of having to wear this uncomfortable wig any longer than tonight was horrible.

"Miss, your father is looking for you." A voice said from beside me. One of the men monitoring me looked around the room with his ever-present emotionless face.

"Alright." I said, wondering what Peter wanted to speak to me about. I didn't have any updates to give him, though he did constantly ask for them. I followed the man across the room to a door that led into a hallway.

He held his hand in front of me while he made sure that the hallway was safe before walking again. My mind clouded with suspicion when I noticed that we were walking toward the parking garage. We hadn't entered through there since the valet had taken our car, but my team and I had done a sweep-through of this building. We memorized all entrances and exits. It was also strange that he was taking me somewhere alone. Until now, I had been surrounded by at least two body guards.