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“The guy measured my pelvis, Zo. Myhips. I’m trying not to think about that part, honestly. I’m just trying to find Pen right now.” There was a wild look in Sydney’s eyes. One that spoke of fear and adrenaline and memories the younger woman would never forget. Zoey understood all too well. “I’ve called 911. Help is on the way. I just don’t know when it’s going to get here. And there was a girl—"
There was a helpless little girl in here. And Pen, not much more than a kid, herself. Decision made.
“I’ll find Pen.” Zoey looked down at the little boy in her arms. “And whoever else they’re keeping captive. There is another child in here, Syd. A girl. A little older than him. You need to get himoutof here for me. The building is on fire. Take him. Get him out. Get him out of here and to my family. Go.”
Zoey didn’t give her a choice. She shoved Orion into Sydney’s arms and ran.
Penwas in here someplace.
That evil old bastard wasn’t putting on finger on her baby—or anyone else’s—ever again.
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Sydney pulledthe little boy in her arms closer and just held him tightly for a moment. So little. So vulnerable and defenseless. He looked up at her, wide-eyed and terrified. “You angel lady?”
“No, baby. But I’m here to take care of you. I promise.” He felt so small in her arms now. Completely defenseless, helpless at the whims of whoever had him in their control. Now, that was her. “My name is Syd.”
She looked into his little face, and her heart broke in an instant.
He was just a baby. A baby who had been left todie. While the building burned around him. Left there, trapped. Like he hadn’t mattered at all.
He didn’t really look like Pen or Simon. Not this kid. Not that much.
No.
He looked just like Slater.
Only his little cheek bones were different.
That was yet another knife to the heart now.
He just looked too much like Dalton and Mikey.
But mostly, he looked just like Slater. Her arms tightened around him when he squirmed. She cupped his head and rocked him for a moment. His little arms went around her neck.
"I know you're scared, sweetheart. I'm going to get you out of here. I promise."
"Want mommy. Want Oakie."
"What is your mommy's name?" She suspected she knew who his biological mother was, but someone had been taking care of him since his birth.
Maybe he had been ripped from that woman like Pen 2.0 and Pen had been taken today.
Maybe another woman was out their grieving for her missing childright now. Or maybe the old bastard had taken this baby and killed his mother. Sydney would believe anything now.
That terrified her on the deepest level.
She didn't know how many of that woman's children could still be out there now.
"Oakie said Zo mommy! Want Oakie!" he sniffled against her neck. Sydney tightened her hold on him. “Want Zo Mommy!”
"We'll find Oakie. And I will make sure you get back to Zoey, as soon as we can. How is she your mommy?" She knew Zoey wasn't his mother, but she had to say something to him.
His crying was breaking her heart.
She’d never forget the sounds of this baby crying in her arms. Ever.
Sydney somehow made it outside, going through a side entry off the end of the first-floor hallway, opposite of where Zoey had disappeared.
