Page 139 of Golden Ruin

Joss: I have my ways. Girl wasted her money, though. All I had to do was be patient and scroll for a bit. Arturo went on a few online rants about what Lexi did. He never expressly named her, but close enough. The one that stood out to me was something like ‘Sometimes you have to love your children from a distance. Pray for me. No parent should have to endure this.’ Of course he posted side-by-side pics of his sedan pre- and post-fire for likes. You know how it goes.

My stomach turns. I should be relieved that Joss found the smoking gun, but I’m not. Because the post only further proves what a narcissistic asshole Lexi’s father is, proves that he’ll never show up like she deserves. All she ever wanted was his love.

That’s it.

Joss: Sending you the screenshot right now.

Sterling: Thanks. Seriously. You got that done fast as hell.

Joss: It’s my job to protect you as my client, but you were my brother first on this one. It felt personal.

I smile at that, but it fades quickly. It’s killing me still being in the air, because every moment I’m not on the ground feels wasted.

Where the hell would you go? Where would you feel safe? Where would you know Jax was safe?

Jax…

My mind’s racing as I remember something I wish I’d thought of hours ago. I’m moving quickly, scrolling my phone, tapping on an app.

And then I see it, the thing that finally brings my heart rate down. A pin icon on a map.

Jax’s tablet is the one device Lexi forgot to turn off the location for.

My head falls against the headrest. As soon as this plan lands, I’m going to get my girl.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Sterling

Gravel rattles beneath the truck’s tires, and I’m looking for a driveway, a mailbox, the outline of a roof. Anything. But all I see are the beams from my headlights, trees, and the road.

I check the GPS again, but out in the middle of nowhere, who the hell knows if it’s even accurate. There’s supposed to be a turn up ahead, but I don’t see shit. Not until the last minute.

Dust kicks up when I hang a sharp right with my heart in my throat, desperate to get to Lex, to Jax. I just need to lay eyes on them, know they’re okay, know they’re safe. And I don’t relax until I see the silhouette of an A-frame cabin up ahead, backed by a lake with the moon shimmering across the surface.

The truck’s parked out front, and that’s when I really start to breathe. This is the place. I found them.

Thank God.

The engine goes silent, and I grab the keys, not bothering with my bags. I’m focused on getting to the door, seeing my girl’s face, holding her.

The dim light I noticed from the road is coming from the living room. There’s a blaze in the fireplace, and Lexi’s sitting on a rug in front of it, hugging her knees as she stares at the flames. Silent, alone.

I knock on the glass, hating how it startles her. It’s proof of how scared she is.

“It’s me, Lex.”

She doesn’t move until she hears my voice, and the way she races toward the door surprises me. I expected her to hesitate, or maybe not even want me here, but when the door swings open and tears fill her eyes, I know I got it all wrong.

“You came,” she says softly, and I hate that she sounds surprised. She grabs me, holds me as tight as I hold her.

“I got here as fast as I could. It scared the shit out of me when I couldn’t get in touch with you.”

She hugs me tighter. “I’m sorry. I panicked. All I could think to do was disconnect and get far outside the city as fast as I could.”

I kiss the side of her neck, and my eyes close when relief damn-near knocks me off my feet.

“How’d you find us?”