AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She just said she needed space.”
My daughter sighed, looking more sorrowful than ever. “I did this. I was rude to her and chased her off.” She sighed. “Dad, I’m so sorry.”
“No, don’t worry about that right now. We just need to figure out where she went and take it from there.”
“Black ops time?”
I smiled warmly. “Correct.”
The waitress returned with two red baskets of hot burgers and fries with an extra plate and a slice of chocolate cake. She set the cake between us with a grin. “Glad you made up, sugar.”
I shook my head at her as she walked away. Kiki laughed. Because that was the funniest thing in the world, apparently.
When I looked at my daughter, she was already stuffing her mouth with fries. A few minutes of eating was all it took for me to feel better as well. I didn’t bother with condiments. The bacon and cheese were flavorful all their own, and I loved to have crispy fries untouched by any kind of liquid.
It was a fact Regina hadn’t gotten to know just yet.
And that made me ache with sadness.
After a few more bites, I set my burger down, wiped my hands, and grabbed my phone. Regina had to be around somewhere. If she wasn’t in Greenville at her dad’s house, then she had to be nearby. She couldn’t have just disappeared for a week without anyone knowing about it.
I dialed Regina’s number only to get her voicemail immediately. That wasn’t great.
“Dad?”
I guessed my face was making one of my famous confused faces.
“Dad, hey.”
I could hear her. I just didn’t want to say what I was worrying about in the back of my mind about Regina.
“Dad, your phone is ringing.”
My phone came back into focus, which was indeed ringing. Unknown caller. That didn’t seem great. But maybe Regina lost her phone and was trying to get in touch.
I slid my thumb across the screen and held the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“I’m so glad you answered. You always hated blocked callers,” teased a dreadful voice that made my teeth hurt, “and I just hate to be ignored. You know that, Barrett.”
“Teresa.”
Kiara froze with a fry hanging out of her mouth. Once she got a hold of herself, she tossed the half-eaten fry into her basket and leaned forward.
I tried to focus on keeping my voice level. “What the hell do you want?”
She hummed coyly. “I called to make an offer.”
“Is that right?”
“Since you won’t hand me the amulet of your own free will, I figured I could purchase it from you. With a mighty appealing payment.”
I rolled my eyes. “There’s nothing you could give me that would—”
“Eric? Are you there?”
I practically choked when I heard that voice. Regina—GG sounded like she was terrified right now. That unmistakable fear was in her voice as she called out.
“Eric, if you’re there, don’t—”
