“What about…” she trails off.
Z’s already off his bike as we pull into the drive, gun in hand, and nodding for us to follow.
“Come on.”
Z shoves the door open. And I hear Tate’s feet on the ground behind me. Stepping into the house, he looks over at her and nods. “Where’s the basement?”
“This way.” She glances to the side of the house.
Following behind her, she halts at the door, attempting to push it open, but it doesn’t budge. “It’s fucking locked.” She mumbles to herself.
“Move,” Z tells her, lifting the gun and aiming at the knob. The hole opens as the knob from both sides falls to the ground, and she pushes the door open.
Z nods for me to follow Tate down the stairs. I’m not exactly sure why he’s doing so, except that he wants to keep an eye on me and make sure I don’t put both of them in danger.
The steps creak as we make our way down them, and Tate looks around. “No.” whispering to herself. “No. It can’t be.”
“What?” Z and I both say in unison.
Rushing down the last remaining steps as he moves around the room, looking in every direction.
“What?” Z asks her again.
“It’s all the same.”
“What?” looking over at her.
“Nothing’s changed. It’sexactlythe same.”
I can’t help but look at her, still confused. “What?”
“I thought he bought all this to keep me here. I mean he had to have right? What else would you need all that shit for?” Her eyes panic as she looks back at me.
“Tatum, it’s okay. It was a good idea.”
“Maybe he would have it somewhere else?” the words leave my mouth before I realize it.
“What?”
“You’re right. If they were all working together, they’d know about it. Whatever place Darren set up for you would be a perfect place to keep her.” I pause, looking around. “But Darren also knew that the club would come looking when he brought her back. So he wouldn’t have it in such an obvious place.”
“You’re right.” Z nods. “Here.” Z tosses something at me as I pop the comms in my ear. “Tatum, look around down here. Eli —” nodding back up the steps.
“Where’s mine?” Tate looks at him.
“What?”
“I need one so I can tell you guys if I find something.”
Z looks back at me as if he can’t believe it before he shakes his head. “Fine.” Tossing another one in her direction.
Moving up the stairs, I can hear him coming up behind me as I make my way out the back door.
“What are you doing?” he asks as he steps out into the night with me.
“How far back does the property go?” I ask.
“It’s a little over an acre.” Tate tells me.
