Chapter 375 Worried Sick

Joseph’s POV

Eleanor rushed into my office holding her phone. Her face looked angry. She was on a video call and told me to listen. Nina’s voice came through the phone. She explained how Luke, Ryan, Jace, and Draven had cornered Ava. They questioned her about the threatening letters she got.

“Those sons of bitches did WHAT?” I said, feeling my blood boil. Dean growled in my mind. His anger matched mine.

“Joseph, I’m going to Ava’s with the girls. Kyle’s coming too.” Eleanor said.

“I’m coming with you,” I said immediately, already reaching for my jacket.

“Bad idea. She’s devastated right now and needs her friends. Not another domineering Alpha.”

“Elle, don’t leave me hanging like this,” I pleaded. “I need to know she’s okay.”

“I’ll keep you updated. But right now, you should go rip those four idiots new assholes.”

“Of course, I will. And tell Ruby and Nina their jobs at Puma Global are still waiting if they want them back. My doors are always open to them.”

“Thank you, Joseph.” Eleanor paused at the doorway, looking back at me with unexpected softness. “You know something, Joseph? You’re the best of them all.”

I managed a weak smile as she left, but my mind was racing with worry about Ava.

I grabbed my phone and called Draven, who answered immediately.

“So you’ve heard,” he sighed, sounding tired.

“Yeah, I’ve heard,” I snapped, pacing the length of my office. “What kind of friend are you? I asked you to look after her, and what did you do? You treated her like a fucking criminal!”

“Joseph, things got out of hand. Everyone’s on edge—”

“When Caroline needed help, I was there for her,” I cut him off. “I would do it again in a heartbeat because she’s an amazing woman and you’re my friend. But you couldn’t show the same respect for Ava—or for me.”

“I wasn’t thinking clearly,” Draven’s voice grew strained. “Jace went full detective mode, and Luke and Ryan jumped on the bandwagon. It snowballed before I could stop it.”

“Yeah, it sure did. Some fucking friends you are.” I hung up, my hands shaking with rage.

Days passed with no word from Ava. I had Julia reaching out to every contact we had, tracking Steward’s whereabouts and movements. I needed to know where that bastard was and who he was with. If he went anywhere near Ava…

I wore a path in my living room carpet, anxiety churning in my gut, when the four jackasses who called themselves my friends walked in, looking like someone had died.

“Joseph, I’m so sorry,” Jace stepped forward. “This is all my fault. I lost my head.”

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” I snarled. “Ava has disappeared off the grid while Howard is out there making threats against everyone. As I recall, Howard is Draven’s problem, but you didn’t subject him to an inquisition, did you?”

“You’re right,” Draven admitted, his face grim. “Howard is more likely to target them than some locked-up convicts.”

“Then why the hell did you treat her that way?”

“Because we’re idiots!” Ryan blurted out.

Julia appeared in the doorway. “Your father checked out of his hotel this morning and hasn’t been seen since. None of his usual contacts have heard from him, and he hasn’t shown up at any of his regular spots.”

“Fuck!” I collapsed into a chair, my stomach dropping. “That bastard could be anywhere… could be doing anything to her. I need to find her.”

“We’ll find her, Joseph,” Luke said, reaching toward me.

I glared at him. “Don’t touch me. I might break your arm.”

“I’ll call Magnus to track her phone,” Jace offered, already pulling out his cell.

“Just so you all know,” I announced coldly, “I’ve already told Nina and Ruby they’re welcome to come work for me if they want.”

Ryan’s eyes widened. “That’s not necessary, Joseph.”

“At least I’ll treat them with respect and dignity,” I replied flatly, my gaze unflinching.

Later, Eleanor texted that Ava had finally responded. She said she was fine but needed space. That made me more worried. I needed to see her and make sure she was okay.

“Magnus tracked her phone. She’s at her apartment,” Jace announced, and I felt a fraction of tension leave my body.

“Let’s go to my place,” Ryan suggested. “We could all use a drink.”

“No thanks. The last thing I want right now is to be around you guys.” I didn’t bother hiding my contempt.

“Joseph…” Draven began.

“As my supposed best friends, you should understand that I’m upset and not in the mood to talk,” I said, turning to stare out my office window. “Just go.”

“Alright,” Draven sighed. “When you’re ready to talk, let us know.”

After they left, I stood there staring at nothing, lost in my fears. I must have fallen asleep on the couch because the next thing I knew, Eleanor was shaking me awake.

“Go home and rest, Joseph. Take the day off,” she said gently.

“Did you talk to her?” I asked immediately, my voice rough with sleep.

“Not yet, but we confronted those assholes. All of them, even Nate who had nothing to do with this stupid interrogation.”

“You girls are amazing,” I smiled weakly. “Elle, I’m really worried. I need to know she’s okay.”

“We’ll find out.”

“My father’s going after her, Elle.” The words felt like acid in my mouth.

Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Two nights ago, he showed up while I was having dinner with the guys. Said if I didn’t do what he wanted, he’d go after her until she came to him.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “He gave me seven days to fix this.”

Julia appeared in the doorway, her face pale. “Joseph, just do what he says. You know what that monster is capable of—he’ll destroy her. You can’t let that happen.”

“I know, Julia.” I ran my hands over my face. “But his demands… I thought I could protect her from him, at least I did before…”

“Your father will only get what he wants from Ava through coercion,” Eleanor said slowly. When she saw the horror on Julia’s face and my dejection, her eyes widened. “He wouldn’t do what I’m thinking… would he?”

“He’d do worse,” Julia said grimly before walking out.

“Joseph,” Eleanor whispered.

I grabbed her hand. “My father is the devil, Elle. I don’t know how to stop him.” My voice cracked. “I need you to find Ava and bring her back to me. It’s the only way I can protect her if she’s with me.”

“We’ll protect her, Joseph,” Eleanor promised.