The man's name was Carver. Poppy found him through a contact she'd made years ago—a different life, a different set of survival skills. He specialized in what he called 'theatrical solutions for delicate situations.' Kidnappings that weren't kidnappings. Disappearances that served a purpose.
They met in a coffee shop in Brooklyn, far from Manhattan's watchful eyes. Poppy wore sunglasses indoors and kept her voice low.
"I need to disappear for a few hours," she said. "Long enough to make someone panic. Long enough to make him do something stupid."
Carver stirred his coffee slowly. He was older than she expected, with gray at his temples and the calm demeanor of someone who had seen worse things than whatever she was about to propose.
"And when he does this stupid thing?" Carver asked.
"He'll bring me his wife," Poppy said. "You'll make the call. You'll tell him it's a trade. Me for her. He'll believe it because I'll sell it. And when it's done, you let me go. You keep her long enough for me to call the police. Long enough for the story to stick."
Carver studied her. "You're setting up your boyfriend's wife."
"I'm protecting my future," Poppy corrected.
Carver named his price. Poppy paid half upfront, cash in an envelope she slid across the table. She pulled out her phone and opened her voice memo app—a habit she'd developed years ago, keeping records of everything, everyone. Insurance.
"When?" Carver asked.
"Tomorrow night," Poppy said. "I'll text you the location."
She didn't notice Carver glance at the phone in her hand. Didn't notice the small red recording light.
She should have.
---
The call came at 9:43 PM.
Greyson was in his office, reviewing acquisition documents that no longer held his attention. His phone lit up with Poppy's name. He answered on the first ring.
What he heard made his blood turn to ice.
Screaming. Poppy's voice, high and terrified, calling his name. Then a man's voice, rough and deliberate.
"Mr. Hunter. We have something that belongs to you."
Greyson stood so fast his chair toppled backward. "Who the hell is this?"
"Doesn't matter. What matters is your girlfriend here is very scared. And very expensive."
"What do you want?" Greyson's voice cracked. "Money? I'll pay whatever—"
"We don't want your money." The man's tone shifted, almost amused. "We want Hadley Spencer."
Greyson froze. "What?"
"Your wife hired us, Mr. Hunter. Paid good money to make this problem go away. But we figured, why not give you a choice? Bring us Hadley. We'll trade. Simple."
In the background, Poppy sobbed. "Greyson, please—she's crazy, she's going to kill me—"
The line went dead.
Greyson stood in the silent office, his heart hammering against his ribs. His mind raced through the past weeks—Hadley's calls, the texts Poppy had shown him, the harassment. It all made sense now. She'd snapped. She'd hired someone to get rid of Poppy.
He grabbed his keys and ran.
---
I was brushing my teeth when the pounding started.
Three sharp knocks, then Greyson's voice, loud enough to carry through the hotel door.
"Hadley! Open the door!"
I spit into the sink and wiped my mouth, my pulse already climbing. I opened the door halfway.
Greyson looked like he'd run the entire way. His shirt was untucked, his hair disheveled. His eyes were wild.
"What did you do?" he demanded.
I blinked. "What are you talking about?"
"Poppy. They have Poppy." He pushed past me into the suite. "They said you hired them. They want you in exchange."
The words didn't make sense. I stared at him, trying to parse the accusation.
"Greyson, I don't know what you're—"
"Don't lie to me!" He spun around, his face flushed. "They knew your name. They knew everything. What did you do?"
"Nothing!" My voice rose to match his. "I didn't hire anyone! I don't even know what you're talking about!"
He grabbed my arm. Hard. His fingers dug into my skin.
"You're coming with me," he said.
"No." I tried to pull away. "Greyson, let go—"
"Now, Hadley."
He dragged me toward the door. I dug my heels into the carpet, panic flooding my chest.
"I'm pregnant!" I shouted. "Greyson, I'm pregnant—I'm not going anywhere—something is wrong with this—"
He didn't stop. Didn't even slow down.
His phone was still on speaker in his pocket. Poppy's voice crackled through, thin and desperate.
"Greyson? Greyson, are you there? Please hurry—they're going to hurt me—"
He shoved me into the elevator. I stumbled, catching myself against the wall. The doors closed. The floor dropped beneath us.
I looked at him—really looked at him—and saw nothing I recognized.
"Please," I whispered. "Please listen to me."
He stared straight ahead. His jaw was tight. His hand was still clamped around my wrist.
The elevator doors opened to the parking garage. He pulled me toward his car, opened the back door, and pushed me inside.
I didn't fight anymore. I just sat there, my hand pressed against my stomach, feeling the fragile spark inside me flicker in the dark.
Greyson got in the driver's seat and started the engine.
We drove into the night.
