Marrying my high school bully

Chapter 82

Dexter

I tapped my fingers restlessly on a table beside me, creating a troubled rhythm. For the umpteenth time, I checked my phone. It was past three in the evening and the wedding was supposed to begin by twelve pm.

Arnold strode towards me, his eyes bearing concern. “What’s going on? Have you heard from Lorraine?” His eyes scanned through the crowd.

That was the worst part. She wasn’t picking my calls or returning them and when I decided to call again, her phone was switched off.

I’d dialed Victoria’s line but it was unavailable as well. They couldn’t all be having issues with their phones at the same time.

“Not reachable. Dante who was supposed to bring them here isn’t picking my call and I’m more than worried. I’ll have to leave the venue.” I sighed, running my fingers through my hair in frustration.

Where the hell was Dante anyways?

“But what about the guests? Most of them are becoming impatient and I can’t blame them.” He noted.

I slammed my fist on the table, ignoring the questioning glances some of the guests around threw at me. “Without the celebrant there’s no guest and somehow I feel something has gone wrong. I need to leave right now.” I reiterated with a stronger conviction.

He raised his hands in surrender when he saw that I wouldn’t change my stance. There was no way I’d do that when Lorraine might be in danger.

Speaking of danger, my mind reverted to the discussion Leonardo and I had some days back.

He made threats… Did he actually go through with them?

If that was the case then I’d kill him with my bare hands if I ever set my eyes on him. But before going all James Bond on him, I had to be sure that my woman was fine so I called Drake.

In no time he appeared ready to receive orders. “We need to find, Lorraine. Her phone isn’t going through and I don’t feel good about it.” I admitted.

At this point, I need to have someone by my side or I’d go mad with anxiety. Drake was one of the men I trusted and I knew he wouldn’t betray me, but Dante… I wasn’t sure about him anymore.

“Where do you want us to begin the search?” He replied earnestly.

“I don’t have any idea, but let’s get moving first.”

He led the way but with the swift stride of my legs I overtook him. He quickly got to the front seat and ignited the engine. The car rolled out of the parking lot and hit the road.

I scrolled through my phone to call the only person that could help me out with locations. I could only hope that he wouldn’t be busy.

“Wyatt,” I said after he picked on the first ring.

“Hello. Wyatt isn’t available right now. Can you drop a message?” came a female voice.NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

“Why is he unavailable?” I demanded, transferring my agitation to the poor lady who had no idea of what was going on.

She took in a deep breath like she was trying to control her temper. “He’s in a coma. He had an accident last week and we are just praying that he wakes up.” She rasped, her breathing hitched.

I palmed my forehead as I let out a sigh. “I’m so sorry for what’s going on. I didn’t know that something bad had happened to him. I’ll visit soon.” I assured the lady who I thought might be his girlfriend.

“It’s fine.” She said and I dropped the call, my hope shattered.

I didn’t have all the time to look for another private investigator who was as good as Wyatt so I had to depend on my instincts.

My phone rang and an unfamiliar number displayed on my screen. “Hemmingway on the line.” I replied curtly.

“Dexter, I’ve been trying to reach you. Where’s everyone?”

Recognition lit up in my mind as I rolled my eyes. “Why are you calling Emilia? I thought I asked you to give me some space? I don’t want to have anything to do with you.” Anger fueled my frustration.

She ignored my reply. “I’m at the venue and you’re nowhere to be found. I can say the same for Lorraine because I couldn’t find her at the hotel.”

My eyes widened, my grip tightening on my cell. “What hotel? How did you know where Lorraine was going to be?” I screamed at her.

She blew off a snort. “Because I’m one of her bridesmaids. I stepped out of the hotel room in the morning and when I returned I couldn’t find her. Why are you surprised? I thought she told you.”

Damn it! Why did Lorraine have to be soft all the time?

I didn’t know what to think anymore, but if what I felt was true then hell would be less hot than what I’d give her.

“She didn’t tell me because you aren’t important.” I ended the call and let the phone slip off my hand. “Stop the car!” I ordered Drake.

We were moving in circles and nothing was adding up. I didn’t know who to suspect because Lorraine had several enemies.

There were so many people who were ready to hurt her if given the chance and if she had agreed to stay with me as I suggested, she wouldn’t be in this mess.

Due to Drake’s competence, we were already out of Malibu, headed to Hawthorne. But of what use would it be when we didn’t have the slightest idea of how to find her?

I peeled off my jacket and dropped it on the chair then hopped out of the car. Drake did the same and we stayed in silence, both of us thinking on how to proceed.

Finally one of us spoke up. “I think Dante has a hand in this.”

“What makes you think so?” I probed, knitting my brows.

He didn’t get the chance to respond as a buzzing sound resonated from his pocket. I watched him frown when he started scrolling through the screen.

“Is everything alright?”

He passed the phone to me while I swallowed, my body taut with tension. I clicked the play button and watched the video keenly.

Anger surged through me when I saw Lorraine’s battered face, but I froze when I noticed a shotgun in her hand. My eyes trailed along the direction of her target and the phone nearly fell off my palm when I saw Victoria crying profusely and pleading with her not to shoot.

“No… No… This couldn’t be happening.” I muttered. “Don’t shoot!” I cried when I saw her index finger close around the trigger, her eyes void of any emotion.

Maybe I was hallucinating, but it cleared off when the shot was fired at Victoria’s chest, a gasp escaping her mouth and her eyes bulging in shock.

Everything went so fast and immediately there was a blackout. My brain became foggy as I almost dropped the phone; Lorraine pointing a gun at my sister without any remorseful look, then a shot ringing out and my sister dropping to the ground.

There was no way she would survive it.

Apparently, Lorraine jilted me to murder my sister while I searched for her.