Breaking Mr. Cold (Giselle and Donovan) novel Chapter 330

"Hello? Gideon?" Giselle called him out of habit, her voice sharp with worry. "Is Eastin at your place? He's been missing all day, and we can't find him."

Gideon had been in a slump lately, but the sound of her voice seemed to snap him awake. "Eastin? No, I haven't seen him. I'm at home now, and Chipper's right here beside me. Eastin hasn't come by."

Her chest tightened. "Alright. Never mind. I'll keep looking."

"Wait," Gideon said quickly. "Where are you now? I'll help. I'll bring Chipper along too."

She had planned to cut contact with him, but in a crisis like this, she couldn't refuse. "Fine. I'm still at my place. I was about to check the neighborhood again."

For the next two or three hours, Gideon joined her. They drove together through a three-mile radius, searching everywhere—other pet shops, shopping centers, and even alleyways. Meanwhile, staff from Giselle's clinic combed different areas on foot and by car.

By midnight, there was still no sign of Eastin.

They sank down on the curb to rest. Gideon tried to reassure her. "Don't worry. Chipper once went missing for three days, but she came back on her own. Eastin's probably just wandered too far. He'll find his way home tomorrow."

Giselle couldn't answer. Exhaustion pressed down on her, but her nerves refused to settle. A heavy dread gnawed at her chest, stronger than any time Eastin had gone missing before.

Gideon leaned close and added, "I'll put out a missing-dog notice. I've got friends working for the media who can spread it online. I'll also send my people to search overnight. We'll find him."

"Thanks," she murmured. Giselle had no other choice. Gideon's way of handling things might have been a bit over the top, but she didn't care anymore. If it brought Eastin home, she would take any help.

After making calls, Gideon drove her back to her underground garage.

Giselle glanced over, startled. Only then did she remember. The bag was the gift Anne had pressed on her that afternoon. She had tossed it under the seat and nearly forgotten it existed.

Gideon pulled out a plastic case. Chipper went into a frenzy, scratching and whining as if something dangerous lay inside.

"What's wrong with it?" Giselle asked, uneasy. "Anne gave me that earlier today. I don't even know what it is. I was planning to throw it away."

Gideon's expression hardened. Chipper often sensed what humans couldn't. Coupled with the mention of Anne, unease prickled at the edges of his mind. "Let me try opening it."

The case was plastic, secured with a coded lock. It couldn't be forced open right away.