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Ayden
TWO DAYS AGO
After the call from Laney ends, I try again repeatedly, but it cuts out each time. Zane’s phone does the same thing.
Fucking hell, this isn’t good.
I decide to reach out to Oliver. He was looking for my dad, so I know he’s gotta be close by.
“Hey, I’ve checked—” He starts as soon as he picks up, but I cut him off.
“Go to Laney’s. There was an explosion. I can’t get ahold of either of them.”
“Holy shit. I’m goin’ now.” The squealing of tires echoes through the phone.
“I’m packin’ a bag and gettin’ on the first flight to Houston. Whatever happened, my dad’s involved. You find him, you hold him for me. Got it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Text me and keep me updated. I’ll let ya know when I’m headin’ down.”
“Will do, sir.”
Once we hang up, I race to the airport and send Garrett a message on my way.
My heart hammers for a solid three hours. The one hour it takes to get on the flight and the two it takes to fly there are the worst. When the plane lands in Houston, I read text updates from Oliver that Laney and Serena were taken to the hospital. Then as I drive to Beaumont, I call him.
“Zane didn’t make it,” Oliver tells me as I speed to the hospital.
My stomach sinks. “Fuck, man. I’m so goddamn sorry.”
“I have your father. Found him behind the house on the ground. He must’ve been too close during the explosion, and it knocked him out.”
“Is he alive?” I ask.
“Well, his heart’s beatin’ if that’s what you’re askin’. Broke his nose and knocked him out a few times for killin’ my friend. Now what do you want me to do with him?”
“Keep him for a bit. I gotta make a couple calls, then I’ll let ya know.”
“Will do.” He hangs up.
Next, I call my lawyer and give him an update.
“I heard. The whole town’s buzzin’ with rumors on what happened. I suspect your father.”
“Yeah, Oliver has him. I’d like to deliver him to Judge Carmichael myself and let him decide what to do with him. Think you can arrange that?”
He’s silent for a beat before he clears his throat. “It’s almost four in the mornin’.”
“I’m sure he’s awake,” I say dryly. There’s no way he isn’t with a killer on the loose after that explosion.
He huffs. “Yeah, gimme a few.”
I should tell Oliver to take him to the police department, but something tells me Boyd wouldn’t mind dealing with him behind closed doors. He’s alreadymissing, so whether he keeps him permanently missing or not will be up to him.
As soon as I arrive at the hospital, I rush inside, and Laney’s mom and Serena greet me in the waiting room. I called on my way to the airport to tell Ms. Bennett what I’d heard, and she was one of the first people to arrive at the scene after they pulled Serena out of the car. They look exhausted.
“Daddy!”
