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Tears rushed to my eyes as I gazed out into the horizon. Into the endless scroll of ocean as the sun beamed down upon my back.
“She’s been kidnapped,” I said. “My daughter’s been taken.”
CHAPTER 18
BROOKE
I groaned as I woke up, my back aching and my eyes sore. It was still dark outside as I sat up on the couch and I could feel something warm underneath my legs. It had been a long night of talking to the police and having them case the beach. They tore the house apart looking for anything to help them with their investigation.
Then they left us alone to wait for an update.
I pried my legs away from Kevin and stood up. My arm was asleep and my head was pounding. Tears began pouring down my cheeks again. It felt like I was falling apart. The pain in my chest wouldn’t let up and I felt myself growing sick. I rushed to the bathroom and opened up the top of the toilet, emptying the contents of my stomach into the opening.
The guilt was immeasurable.
And it wouldn’t stop.
“Come here. I’ve got you. That’s it.”
I tried batting Kevin away, but it was no use. I didn’t deserve to be touched by him. To be doted on by him. I’d lost his child. Left her to fend for herself and she had been taken in my care. I was supposed to protect her. To cherish her and love her and make sure she was okay during these damn business meetings. And I had let my guard down and she was gone.
Taken, without a trace.
I stood up from the toilet and rinsed my mouth out with water. Kevin was still holding my hair back, rubbing my side and trying to calm the shaking in my limbs. I couldn’t focus. My eyes literally couldn’t see. Tears dripped into the sink as I sloshed water around in my mouth. It had been a long night of waiting by the phone. Waiting for Kevin’s cell phone to ring. Waiting for the house phone to ring.
Waiting for some sort of information the police could give us.
The entire island was searching for her. Searching because I had faltered in my responsibilities. I heaved again into the sink as my body jerked, and Kevin slid his arm around my waist to hold me up.
“I’ve got you. It’s okay.”
“Stop,” I said breathlessly.
“Let it out,” he said.
“No.”
“Drink some more water.”
“I said, no!”
I managed to turn around and shove Kevin away from me. His eyes were desolate and his face was haggard. His shirt was wrinkled and his tie was loosened, and part of his shirt was untucked. His pants were sagging down his body as he leaned against the wall, his head falling back into the hard surface.
“You shouldn't be touching the woman who lost your child.”
“You aren’t responsible for this.”
“The hell I’m not,” I said.
“This isn’t your fault.”
“Of course it’s my fault, Kevin! Sydney was my responsibility!”
I leaned against the sink and closed my eyes as Kevin raked his hand through his hair.
“Did anyone call last night while we were asleep?” I asked.
“No. Nothing.”
