“We see this happen all the time with foster kids. No offense,” he adds after a beat. “They get it into their heads that they would be better off on their own and so they pack their stuff and leave. Not much to be done.”
Akio scowls at the officer. “Luna wouldn’t do that.”
“And she didn’t take any of her stuff,” I add. “Did you talk to the guy she had a date with or the workers at the ice cream shop they went to?”
“We interviewed the appropriate parties and all signs point to your friend skipping town.” He flips the notebook closed and stuffs it into his shirt pocket. “Sorry, kid. Like I said, we’ll keep an eye out, but don’t get your hopes up.”
With a nod to Marcus, the useless shitbag trudges off the porch and heads to his squad car.
“Luna wouldn’t leave without telling us.” Akio says when Marcus steps back inside. “The cop didn’t even care that we found her broken bracelet.”
“Fucking scum,” Dec spits out. “Did you see the way he looked at us? He doesn’t give a shit about Luna.”
A beat of silence passes. I glance at my brothers, seeing my rage reflected in their eyes.
“What are we going to do?” Akio asks quietly.
“I don’t know,” I say, fixing my gaze on the distant buildings of Axton Harbor. “But we’re going to find her.”
Whatever it takes, I vow.We’ll find her.
Chapter 1
Fallon
“Good morning. I’m Florence Asher and this is AXH News. The mysterious vigilante group known as Cerberus has once again rocked Axton Harbor to its core, releasing a new video of several high-profile figures and evidence of extensive criminal activity. In a shocking turn of events, Councilman Bart Rogers was included and has been arrested. Cerberus claims to be taking matters into their own hands when it comes to seeking justice, promising more revelations in the coming days.”
“Large iced coffee for Fallon,” the barista calls, pulling my attention from the news clip I’m watching on my phone. My notifications have been going off all morning, waking me at the crack of dawn and robbing me of valuable sleep. I’m going to need more caffeine than usual if I have any hope of making it through the day.
Snatching my drink, I slip out into the crisp morning air, quickly scrolling through my emails to figure out which fire I’ll need to tackle first when I get to work. I had my assistant schedule an emergency all-hands meeting with my team. I haven’t had a chance to watch the entire video they released this morning, but all I needed to see is one name listed in the headlines to know this news will not be good for business if I don’t act quickly.
As if sensing my rising anxiety, a text pops up on the screen from my best friend.
Quinn:Councilman Rogers???
I take a sip of my coffee before answering.
Me:Don’t even get me started. I warned everyone that he was not someone we needed to get into bed with. But does my dad ever listen to me? No.
Quinn:I’m sure Daddy Helix is livid.
Understatement. Nothing pisses off Sebastian Helix more than idiocy and people tampering with his company. Councilman Bart Rogers accomplished both in one fell swoop. Which means it’s my job to mitigate potential damage to Helix Enterprises before shit hits the fan.
Me:I’m handling it. Lunch later?
Quinn:Duh. Go kick some PR ass.
Kick ass is exactly what I do. As soon as my heels hit the lobby of Helix Enterprises, I’m a take-no-shit crisis management machine. My team gathers in the conference room where we go over all available information about the allegations against Councilman Rogers. Honestly, with the long list of accusations, he’s lucky he didn’t end up mutilated and murdered like the last Chief of Police. Blackmail, obstruction of justice, extortion, bribery and trafficking. Bart Rogers dabbled in it all and Cerberus delivered the proof, which only makes what I need to do easier. There’s no way in hell Helix Enterprises is going to be connected to something as horrific as human trafficking.
“Due to these allegations, Helix Enterprises has immediately severed all ties with potential investor Bart Rogers and our associated ventures. We are committed to conducting our business with the highest standards of integrity and transparency. Etcetera, Etcetera.” I cap the lid on my penand push to my feet. “Turner, draft the official statement and press key messages and send it all over to me for approval. Good work everyone. Let's reconvene at two.”
I make a beeline to my office, ready to grind down on the less pressing issues waiting for me.
“Miss Helix,” someone calls before I reach my office door. I turn to see Ganon, our office temp, hurrying toward me with a stack of papers. “I have the quotes from Mayor Wise you asked for.”
About time. I requested those last week.
He hands them over, pushing his glasses up his nose as he waits for my approval. He’s a scrawny, quiet guy–always polite, but honestly not cut out for this job. Still, I don’t have the heart to fire him.
