Page 134

The implications hit me like another crash. This bastard had been close enough to my truck to sabotage it. Had probably watched me drive away, knowing what would happen. That meant they’d done it when I was at the Wylies’ house. And I was stupid enough to have been going there like clockwork.

Fuck!

“Who's on Joy protection duty right now?” I asked.

Simon looked surprised. “Since Joy's been in your room the whole time, we didn't think we needed anyone specifically assigned. It’s got to be her brothers.”

Ice flooded my veins. “What do you mean, the whole time?”

“She hasn't left your side since the day before yesterday.”

“Well, that’s not true, now is it?” I said sarcastically. “She’s not here now.”

“When did she leave?” Simon asked.

I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’m not sure. I went to sleep after she left. She was going for food.” I fumbled for my phone on the bedside table, my fingers clumsy from the pain medication. I hit Joy's contact, then listened to the ringing with growing dread. It finally went to voicemail.

“Joy's not answering.” I tried again with the same result. “Roxie, try calling her.”

Roxie's fingers flew over her phone screen. We waited in tense silence as it rang and rang before going to voicemail.

Roxie gave me wide eyes after she looked at her phone. “Joy called me thirty-two minutes ago to bring food. I just figured she was in your room. Look, it’s not so bad. She’s probably with her brothers.”

“Then why the fuck isn’t she answering her phone?” I roared.

I opened the group text with everybody and typed rapidly.

GRAHAM: Can't find Joy. She left my room a while ago. Not answering phone. Need eyes on her NOW.

“I'm going to find her.” Roxie was already moving toward the door. “She's probably just in the cafeteria dealing with a long line or something. She probably gave up on Ava and me because we were taking too long.”

“I’m going with her,” Ava nodded.

“Me too.” Trenda followed the other two women out of my hospital room. I looked at Simon, who was looking at me. I did not have a good feeling. My phone buzzed with responses from the group.

SETH: At hospital. Haven't seen her.

RANDY: Checking parking garage.

NASH: Checking cafeteria.

JASE: Where the hell is she?

Simon read over my shoulder as more messages flooded in.

SETH: Gift shop is empty.

My chest tightened, and not from the broken ribs. Joy wouldn't just disappear. Not after everything that had happened. Not without telling someone where she was going.

“Simon.” My voice came out hoarse. “Something's wrong.”

Before he could respond, Roxie burst back through the door, her face pale and eyes wide with panic.

“I can't find her anywhere. I checked the cafeteria, the gift shop, even the women's bathrooms on this floor. No sign of her.”

The door opened again as Seth, Randy, Jase, and Nash filed in, their expressions grim.

“How long has she been missing?” Nash pulled out a notepad, slipping into investigator mode.