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"I ran into her upstairs just after they took Charley away, and she seemed pretty upset," Sofia tells me.
Relief washes over me. "I'm sure what happened with Charley has her shaken up. I'll go check on her. "
"I hope she's okay," Bella says softly. "I'll come to find you when I hear more about Charley."
I give her a grateful smile and leave the kitchen.
As I go upstairs and down the hall, I pass Raine, who says, "Hey. Have you heard any news? I told Grace and Alba I would check."
"Unfortunately, no. Bella just talked to Logan, and Charley is with the doctors now. Logan said he'd call back with an update as soon as possible."
Raine closes her eyes and blows out a breath. "This is unbelievable."
"It's going to be okay." I pull Raine in for a hug. I realize I've had so much going on lately that I've neglected one of my best friends. Raine has been like a sister to me for the past few years. And recently, I haven't stopped to ask how she's been holding up with all that has happened. "Thank you for being a good friend, Raine. I haven't told you this, but I don't know what I would do without you. You've been great with Bellamy and with Scarlett."
Raine gives me a small smile. "I always got your back Ember."
"And I've always got yours," I tell her gently.
Leaving Raine to tell what little news we have on Charley to Grace and Alba, I continue my search for Bellamy. I knock when I reach her bedroom door. "Bellamy." When she doesn't answer, I try again. "Bellamy?" When she doesn't answer the second time, I try to open the door, but it's locked. "Bellamy!" I call out louder. "Come on and open the door."
"What's going on?"
I look over to see Austin striding toward me. "I don't know. She's not answering, and the door is locked," I tell him.
This time he tries knocking. "Bellamy, open up, sweetheart."
Austin and I look at each other. "Something's off, Austin."
"Stand back." He ushers me away from the door, raises his booted foot, and kicks the bedroom door open. The two of us storm in only to find the room empty. I check the bathroom, where I find dirty clothes on the floor. I look over at the bed to see her iPad lying there, along with her crumpled-up pajamas.
"See anything out of place?" Austin asks.
I shake my head. "No."
"Have you checked the basement?" Austin asks. "With all the commotion, she could have freaked out and found a hiding place. The girl has been through some shit."
He's right. "This whole thing is so fucked up."
"I'll go down there and look," he offers.
"Thanks."
After Austin walks out of the room, I turn to leave, but something out of the corner of my eye catches my attention: a folded sheet of paper lying on Bellamy's pillow. Walking over to the bed, I lift it off the pillow and open it up. As I scan the words, I feel dread in the pit of my stomach. "No." My eyes dart over to the window, which is open, a detail I skipped over before. Rushing over, I look out and inspect the yard, seeing no traces of Bellamy.
Wasting no time, I rear back, stick my leg through the window, and climb down. Once both feet touch the ground, I quickly spot imprints of shoes left behind on the soggy ground, thanks to the rain we had the night before. I follow them where they lead me. Once I clear the front of the clubhouse, the prints stop at the edge of the gravel drive that leads toward the entrance gate. Bellamy hasn't been missing for long, so she couldn't have gotten far. I hesitate for a split second, thinking I should go back and find Austin, but against my better judgment, I go ahead without him. Sprinting across the yard, I make it to my car.Shit. I panic. I left my keys inside. Then I remember the spare key hidden beneath my seat in a little black key box. I fish it out and start the car. With shaky hands, I pull my phone out and type in the code for the gate. Seconds later, the gate opens. I shift the car into gear and step on the gas, my tires spinning, kicking up dust and rocks. Once I've cleared the gate, I head toward town.
All sorts of horrible thoughts start running through my mind about the bad things that can happen to a young girl walking alone at night on a dark road. Not to mention the other club is out here somewhere, determined to wreak havoc on anyone associated with the club.
My cell starts to ring, the screen lighting up with Austin's name. I'm about to answer it when I spot a figure up ahead, walking along the side of the road.Bellamy. I breathe a sigh of relief. My cell stops ringing, then starts up again. This time it's Bella's name that pops up. I ignore it for the time being. My sole focus is Bellamy. Hearing my approach, she peers over her shoulder, then she freezes. She throws her arm up to cover her eyes to block out the glare of my headlights. "Bellamy!" I shout out my open window. I pull off to the side of the road and jump out of the car. "Thank God I found you." I rush up and take her into my arms.
She starts to sob. "I'm sorry, Ember. It's all my fault. Everything is my fault."
"Shh," I console her. "Nothing is your fault. You didn't have to run away like this, Bellamy. Nobody blames you for anything."
"But it's true." Her body shakes violently. "You were hurt because of me, and now that old man might die. All because I'm here."
"Look at me." I grip her shoulders to make sure I have her full attention. "What happened to me and what happened to Charley is not your fault. Not one person blames you. I have never seen your brother so happy. Blake didn't think he had any family left, then you showed up. You have given Blake something nobody else can, and that's special. Your brother loves you, Bellamy. We all do."
