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He wouldn’t mind. I knew that. I also didn’t want to be a nag.
The dogs sat up and barked. After listening for a moment, they leapt off the bed and raced down the hall. I hadn’t heard anything, but it was a long way to the front door.
I tossed the blankets away and slid out of bed.
I made it to the bedroom door when I caught sight of Lincoln in the hallway. He looked haggard. More so than the morning I’d found him by my hospital bed. Delivering the dog food was hard, especially for someone who wasn’t used to it.
He would hardly meet my gaze. Didn’t speak, though that wasn’t all that unusual.
The dogs caught up to him, then ran back toward the door as if looking for something. They rushed back and jumped around him. He didn’t correct them or even acknowledge their presence.
“Lincoln?”
He flinched at the sound of his name.
I leaned over, trying to see around him. “Where’s Eric?”
He stopped moving. Fear and pain stared back at me so potently I could feel it myself.
“Lincoln?” I rushed forward and pushed his chest. “Where’s Eric?”
His throat worked as he swallowed hard. “I tried. I need you to know that.”
My heart galloped so hard I thought it would explode. “Tried what?” I heard myself speak, but it sounded far away as the worst-case scenarios flooded my brain.
He opened his mouth, and I held my breath. He closed it, and I completely stopped taking in air. I shook him, yet it didn’t move him.
“Your mother,” he said hoarsely. “She took him at gunpoint.”
My legs gave way. He caught me and carried me to the living room. Once he’d arranged me on the sofa, the dogs jumped up and both put their heads in my lap.
“Is he . . .” I couldn’t say or even think the word.
“He was the last time I saw him.” Lincoln hung his head and leaned against the bar for support.
“How long ago was that?”How was I talking? Thinking?I needed to get up. To find my brother.
“One hour and thirty-six minutes ago.”
“And you didn’t call me?” I cried. It was my fault this had happened. I should’ve sucked it up and went with them this afternoon. If I’d been there, she never would’ve come close to him.
“I’m so very sorry, Lexie. I phoned the authorities. And Daniel. And Zegas. I waited to see if your mother left with Eric so I could follow.” He smashed his knuckles against the stone countertop. “I must have missed them.”
“Are the police looking for them?”
“Everyone I know is. I just came by to tell you, then I’m headed back out.”
“Not without me.” I stood too quickly and lost my balance, but used the sofa arm to keep steady.
“You’re in no condition—”
“I’ll be damned if I’ll sit here while she has my brother and do nothing,” I said, my voice reaching a crescendo. “If she has him locked in a closet—”
It’s so dark in here, sis. It’s so, so dark. But we have each other now. I’m not alone now, sis.
Everything in me shattered.
I had one responsibility. Keeping my brother safe. And I’d failed.
