Page 109 of Chasin’s Surrender

“Do you think she’d go alone?”

“Bobby knows she can’t leave the farm without someone. It’s all good,” he said, but deep in his stomach, he knew it wasn’t.

Chasin yanked on a pair of jeans, realizing as his own words sank in that Bobby wouldn’t think twice about walking across the field and through the woods to get to McKenna and Nix’s house. To her, it was all just one big farm.

Fuck.

“You’ll call me back?”

“Yep.”

Chasin disconnected and Genevieve whirled on him.

“What happened to Bobby?”

“Grab your shoes, baby, and I’ll tell you on the way downstairs.”

He yanked a tee over his head, grabbed a pair of socks, nabbed his boots, and they were out the bedroom door. The door to Bobby’s bedroom was wide open, bed made, and Chasin’s gut clenched some more. He fought back the urge to sprint down the stairs. He didn’t want to freak out Genevieve anymore than she was, but they needed to get a move on it.

“Bobby called McKenna and asked to borrow a pressure cooker. Bobby’s not answering—”

“Yo! ‘Mornin’!” Holden bellowed from the kitchen, and Chasin’s chest tightened.

“Fuck.”

“Fuck what? You’re scaring me.”

“You seen Bobby this morning?” Chasin asked.

“Nope. Haven’t seen anyone.” Holden stopped, immediately caught the vibe, and added, “What’s goin’ on?”

Chasin filled them both in while he was putting on his socks and boots.

Holden was making his way to the front door when Chasin stopped him. “Need you to stay here with Evie. She can’t be—”

“I’m going,” Genevieve snapped.

“No, babe. You stay here.”

“You both need to be out looking. Maybe she just went for a walk up to the barn. She likes it up there. But someone needs to get to Nixon’s. Since I can’t be alone, I’m coming.”

Chasin hated she was right.

“Let’s go.”

They were out the door and Holden took off like a shot, heading across the field, uncaring he was trampling the fledgling corn. Chasin and Genevieve jogged to the barn, called Bobby’s name, and when they got no response, they took off toward the woods. They were nearing the glade that Nixon had widened and cleared for the ATVs when he heard Holden’s angry expletive.

“Oh, God,” Genevieve whimpered.

Chasin tightened his hand over hers and moved them faster through the opening. Then he stopped dead and yanked Genevieve to a halt, pivoting her so she couldn’t see what Holden was looking at.

Blood. Lots of blood. Along with that, pictures of Genevieve scattered around. Like someone had tossed them in the air and they floated down and landed where they landed. Some had splatters of blood, some didn’t.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Holden spat.

“Take Genevieve back to the house and call Nixon.” Holden came unglued and Chasin tried to pass Genevieve to his friend. But she wouldn’t release the grip of steel she had on his hand.

“Baby. You need to go with Holden. Right now, Evie. I need you safe in the house and I have to go look for Bobby.”