~~~Ryder~~~

I was in Shanghai when the news hit.

I was in the middle of a tense meeting with some Chinese investors when Devon leaned down and whispered urgently in my ear.

“Boss. Malik reported Armed robbery at Aurelia Bank. Freya’s inside.”

Everything inside me went cold.

I didn’t say a word. I pulled out my phone and opened the news app with a swipe. The headlines hit like a punch to the gut.

Breaking: Armed Robbery at Aurelia Bank – Multiple Hostages Taken.

Freya had told me on our video call last night that she was heading there with Zoey today to deposit some of the jewelry I’d given...