Rebirth: Flirting with a Dangerous Billionaire

She's Gone.

When I initially told her, I knew she wouldn't believe me, even back when she could remember who I was. Sam was notorious after all, he had it all, and I was just her annoying brother. It didn't matter that I knew Sam like none other, that we had seen each other's rot. Women are worth nothing to Sam, and she was too precious to sacrifice. Besides, she was mine. I had made the mistake of figuring if she were intent on being on his radar, I could use it to my advantage, but it was a mistake. Now all I could do was keep her safe, protect her.

My concern was that he was aware of her now, even if he expressed little interest. It had been worrying me all morning, and I couldn't think straight. I had been so preoccupied that I hadn't noticed her warming up to me, showing concern. Recalling it gives me a fluttery feeling. Unfortunately, we had run out of time by the time I saw. We had to go our separate ways. As close as our buildings were in proximity, we were enrolled in individual courses. As much as I hated to be apart, we were each forced to attend our respective orientation.

In addition to their major, each student must take core subjects. I hoped to share these lessons with Mara, but misfortune saw us separate. Her being alone in an environment that was toxic for her made me uneasy. The daily practice came as a relief. I found myself running to burn off the feeling of restlessness. The practice also allowed me to keep an eye on Sam. If I couldn't watch over Mara, keeping an eye on him was the next best thing. My haste to get to the locker room meant I had arrived early. I figured I would be alone for at least ten minutes. The environment became less tolerable when Sloane followed soon after.

Mindful that neither one liked the other, we assumed our typical silence. For the first time all day, I felt my heart rate slow, the familiar was comforting, and soon we would be back at home with order restored. By the time I realized I should not of relaxed my defences, it was too late.

Outside of training, Sloane and I barely uttered a word to each other. Maybe it was how harsh his words sounded as they shattered the silence, the fact that they were directed at me. On the other hand, it could have been the questions his words raised within me, the fear of the unknown. The possibility he knew something I didn't. It could have even been that one name that on another's lips sent shivers down my spine. "Mara decided not to come back then?" His tone was friendly. I would have to respond proportionally. Feeling my panic return, I steadied my voice. "She's back, though I don't see how it affects you" I felt him pause behind me. A short silence was broken with the words, "She's not here. At least she skipped class." I felt numb, my brain riddled with questions I couldn't seem to form with my tongue, which felt dry and swollen. Where was she? Why did he care? How did he know? Noticing my trepidation, Sloane continued, having apparently seen straight through me. "She's in most of my classes. She's taking some business lessons alongside graphic design. But you should know that, right?"

"I also know that she's here. I brought her here myself."

"She might be with Sam. He was missing too." It was too much to take, and I burst out the door, grabbing my phone. Mara had no phone, and I was faced with the stupidity of my own actions. I couldn't call her, I couldn't track her, I just had to search blindly. I turned a corner too sharply and collided with Sam.

"What the...Cain?" my mind disturbed, dismissed the red flags that my senses were picking up. There were too many people here, his usual entourage, so I didn't have much time. I grabbed his collar and pushed him back. With a squeal, his girlfriend, clinging to his arm, let go. "Where is Mara?" I demanded.

"Hopefully nowhere close," he said coolly, letting me know I hadn't phased him.

"I know you both skipped class..."

"No!" the reply came from behind me. I turned to face Sam's most recent acquisition. She had been friends with Mara. What was her name again? "Sam's been with me the whole time! What would he want with her?" I glanced back at Sam, who was now smirking.

"If you don't believe her, you can go check. I haven't skipped. You need to work on your sister complex. We haven't seen her all day, and trust me, if we had, things wouldn't be this quiet." He was right. I hadn't heard a single rumour today. No sideways glances, no whispering. I released Sam, and his girlfriend anxiously ran to his side. "I saw her leave earlier. Maybe she saw sense and went home. No one wants her here" She spat at me. Sloane had gone out of his way to cause trouble. Why? It was suspicious, but I had a more urgent matter. I pulled my phone out and was relieved to find the guy I hired to tail her had followed through. Wait, do you think I'm stupid? I can't be omniscient, I'm only one man, but I have eyes everywhere. The phone rings twice before my guy on the other end picks up. "Don't worry, I'm watching her."