My father left us to walk the inside of the hotel, still clutching the backpack as I watched him disappear around a corner. This couldn’t be happening. Where was Rylee? I had to fight back the urge to crumble to the ground and sob. Why wasn’t anyone here to meet us?
I glanced at my Apple Watch. We had one minute to spare when I reached the lobby. I hadn’t been late.
Crypt faced me. “I know I don’t have the details about what’s happening right now, but I’m here for you, Rachel.”
I appreciated that, but he didn’t even know I had a daughter. We spoke a few sentences to each other during a prison riot three years ago. This biker didn’t know anything about me or my life. He had no clue that I was about to drop a bombshell on him.
Might as well rip off the band-aid.
“My daughter was kidnapped, and I’m trying to get her back.”
Crypt blinked. A curse tumbled from his lips before he strode forward and wrapped me in a hug. “Fuck, Rachel. I’ll help any way I can.”
“There’s nothing you can do.” I lifted my head, knowing the heartbreak I felt had to be visible in my eyes.
“Like fuck there is. I’ll figure it out.”
I opened my mouth to reply when I heard Hannibal’s voice.
“There’s no need.” He gave Crypt a scathing look, his gaze pausing briefly on Crypt’s hands that still pressed to my back before turning to me. “I know where Rylee is.”
What!?
My father still carried the backpack. What did that mean?
“Where is she? Did you find the kidnappers?”
“Not exactly.”
God, I hated it when he got secretive.
“What happened?” I shook my head, trying not to think the worst. “Where is she?”
He took a step in my direction. “Need you to listen to me real good, baby girl.”
“Dad,” I began, but he held up a hand.
“No time. I’m going to get her, but I’ve got to do this alone. You can’t go with me. It’s not up for debate.” He turned his attention to Crypt. “Prove your loyalty. Get my daughter to The Crossroads. Grim will know what to do. She’ll be safe there, but I’m trusting you as the last line of defense. Protect her with your life. If anything happens to Rachel, you’ll be paying with your fucking soul. You feel me?”
“Damn, Dad.”
He ignored me. “Crypt?”
“I got her,” Crypt replied without hesitation.
Hannibal tugged me into his embrace, hugging me far too tightly before he rushed out of the hotel. I swear something menacing spread across his face right before he turned away. Blinking, I wondered if I imagined the sinister flash.
I had zero answers to any of the questions in my head. Was Rylee okay? Would he find her? “I’m so confused.”
Crypt’s arm slid around my shoulders as he guided me toward the exit. I caught the no-nonsense way he moved, staying vigilant as we walked outdoors. His entire body seemed alert, scanning everything around us like the boogeyman wouldsoon jump out and scare us. The thing was, in my case, the boogeyman was real, and he preyed on my daughter.
“What if he doesn’t find Rylee?” I dared to ask, using every bit of courage I could muster to stay strong because she needed me. There was no way I would fall apart now, not this close to having her back. But if Hannibal failed, I didn’t know what I would do. Offer myself instead?
No one had offered me that deal, but I would take it in a heartbeat.
“He will.”
“But,” I began to say before Crypt cut me off.
