Turn Back Time (The Full Circle Series Book 1) Annette Anders (shoe dog free ebook TXT) 📖

it’s good to hear you,” his strained voice came through the cell phone. “Is Naomi with you?”

“Yes, hi, Luca, I’m right here. You’re on speaker.”

“Good. Where are you right now?”

“Halfway down the hallway in our hotel,” Naomi answered. “Care to know the color of the carpet, too?”

“Where in France are you?” Luca’s voice was tense.

“Mont Saint-Michel, but we’re heading out within the next half hour,” Stella said. “We’re off to the Loire Valley today. I’m so excited, and...”

“Girls, can you go somewhere where we can talk in private?” he interrupted.

“Almost at our room, hold on.” Stella mouthed, What the heck? to Naomi. “What’s so urgent? Are Mom and Dad okay?”

Before he could answer, her phone played another ringtone, followed by a text message.

Please call me ASAP, D.

She almost dropped the phone.

“Are you kidding me?” Naomi looked over her shoulder. “What does he want now?”

“Stella, Naomi, what’s going on?” Luca voice boomed. “Are you in your room?”

“Just walked in,” Naomi said and closed the door with a firm push.

Stella said at the same time, “David wants me to call him.”

“Since when are you in touch with David again?” Luca asked. “No, don’t answer. It can wait. But back to why I’m calling. Did you know Revan is in Paris?”

“I didn’t,” Stella said. “I thought he was somewhere in India.”

“What? Since when?” Naomi asked.

“He called to tell me something exciting had come up and he planned a stopover in Paris for a photo op.”

“Oh, if it’s only a photo op, it means he’ll be home in a few days,” Stella looked into the distance, where Mont Saint-Michel basked in the bright morning sunshine, bracing itself for another day with thousands of tourists congesting its ancient streets.

“Luca, what’s going on? You’re not just calling to tell us to meet with Rev for dinner, are you?” Naomi said in a tight voice.

“I’m not quite sure what’s going on, but I wish it was as simple. His parents got a call from the Bureau of Consular Affairs. They were told he’s being held captive in some underground mine together with two other people.”

Naomi shrieked and grabbed Stella’s arm. They looked at each other, not able to say a word.

“They announced the women’s names on TV, but nobody mentioned the man’s identity. Are you sure it’s Revan?” Stella said, finding her voice again. “Wouldn’t it be a huge coincidence if it was him?”

“There’s no doubt it’s him. His name hasn’t been released because the American Embassy had to get involved first. The women’s names could be made public because they’re employees of the inspectorate, and French citizens. Rev is an American citizen and is there as a visitor.”

“How are his parents holding up?” Naomi asked. She was as white as the wall.

“Alicia’s freaking out, and Robert is trying to hold it together for her sake. I thought of taking the first flight to Paris today, but I wouldn’t get there until tomorrow. And I don’t know how much I’d be able to do. Instead, I drove to Philadelphia this morning to be with Rev’s parents. They haven’t even told Dinah yet. She’s away at a summer camp this week, but they’re bringing her home this evening.”

“We’re going back to Paris,” Naomi said resolutely. “Right now.”

“Yes, we have to be there,” Stella agreed. “Like you said, Luca, there may not much we can do, but at least we’d know we’re close enough to help him.”

“I don’t think it’s necessary for you to cut your trip short. I just wanted you to know what’s going on. Weren’t you supposed to be back by tomorrow evening anyway? Hopefully, Rev and the women will be free by then.”

“There’s no way I’m strolling around fucking wannabe castles and watching lovey-dovey couples for the next day and a half, while knowing Rev is rotting in a stinking cave with some gun-toting lunatic. He could be dead for all we know. Kai said he was bleeding,” Naomi said fiercely as she marched toward the door. “I’ll go find Caroline and drop us out of this carriage ride through the French countryside.”

“Kai who?” Luca asked.

“Someone we met in Paris. He’s the guy who alerted the police. Look up the news footage,” Naomi called out.

“You can bet I’ll check it out,” Luca said, “Okay, if you’re serious about returning to Paris, I’m sure Alicia and Robert will appreciate it. Stella, call me when you get there. Do you need help arranging for a hotel?”

“No, I’ll call the hotel where we already have reservations and see if they can accommodate us earlier,” Naomi yelled from the door before stepping into the hallway. “Bye, Luca. Stella, meet me downstairs.”

“Let me know if there’s anything I can do from here,” Luca said. “Keep in touch!”

“Will do—and give our best to Alicia and Robert,” Stella said. “Love you!”

“Love you back! Be careful!” Luca said.

CHAPTER 22

Stella—July 2018

M

ost members of the tour group were still in the restaurant when Naomi and Stella rushed in and repeated the phone conversation. Naomi finished by saying, “I’m sorry to do this, but we have to cut our trip short. We need to be in Paris as soon as possible.”

“I think I’m speaking for all of us when I tell you we’re sorry you’re leaving us, but we understand. You need to do what your gut tells you.”

“Thank you, Caroline. Thank you, everybody. Now, what’s the fastest way for us to get there?” Naomi asked. “I guess I could look it up online, but I haven’t had time yet.”

“Let me check a few things. There are plenty of bus and train connections from here to Paris. It’s a popular day-trip location.” Caroline pulled out her tablet and started typing.

“We apologize for causing all this trouble and holding everybody up,” Stella said. “You’re on a schedule, so please don’t let us keep you. Naomi and I can figure it out ourselves, or we’ll ask the reception desk for help.”

“Nonsense!” John said.

“Stop it!” Michael said.

“We don’t want to hear about it,”