AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Brynn,” Jace stood and approached her. “Come here.” Jace wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on the top of her head. “What would you do if one of us were missing?”
“I’d wait until Tim and Logan were with some of their men, then come out and fucking eliminate them. I’d look good in thigh highs and machine guns.” She attempted a grin. “I realize I’m really emotional and terrified. I’m scared to death that this whole shitshow is going to blow up in Holden’s face.”
Jace slid his fingers down her arms. “We’re all in this together. Chance and I have Holden’s back. He also has Zayne, Vaughn, Pierce, and Sutton. We’re not going into this blind.” Jace cupped her cheeks in his large hands. “We have to find River. We’d do the same for you.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she nodded. “I know. I had to try.”
Jace released her and leaned against the wall. “This whole thing is fucked up.” He cracked his knuckles.
“I don’t think we’ve had this much fucked-up excitement since that night in high school. It was only a week later that I brought up the idea of the club with Sariah and Payton,” I said quietly. I hesitated to bring up details. We were all aware of what had happened that earth-shattering evening.
“No one had been kidnapped, though,” Chance added. “Don’t get me wrong. The reason behind it was messed up. But at least everyone was safe after Holden figured out the logistics ... except for Emerson.”
Brynn nodded silently. “We will carry that secret to our grave,” she whispered.
I wiped my clammy palm on my thigh. It had been a while since those events had haunted me. At first, it had been a stupid date, then it all went to hell. We’d all been friends with Emerson since Brynn had moved to our school, but that night … Her life had changed forever. Our lives had changed forever, and it had also inspired our group sex club.
We stared at each other. Words were no longer appropriate.
“I saw Emerson a few days ago,” Chance said. His blue eyes clouded with regret.
“Is there any change?” I asked. I almost hated to know. It had been four years since Emerson had walked, talked … or screamed for help.
“No, but I keep hoping.”
“Me, too.” Brynn rubbed her arms.
The memories of the life-altering event hung over me. Hung over all of us.
“Does River know the real reason behind the club?” Brynn glanced at me, her body tight with tension.
“No. I was hoping to leave it in the past, but we’ll see how it plays out when she’s home.” I leaned over and hung my head. If she makes it back.
After we ate, we all headed to the game room. Maybe shooting zombies would help my stress level. Unfortunately, the moment I strolled into the area, I saw River everywhere I looked. I guess that happens when someone owns your heart.
I peeked at the clock on the wall. Only seven more hours before I sat across a table from Tim and hoped like hell he slipped up. I had no way of knowing how that day would forever change the course of my life.
Chapter Eight
I squared my shoulders as I entered and searched the busy diner. For such a simple, bland-looking restaurant, they were known for their incredible breakfast. Dark green booths, and cream-colored tables packed the large space. The only pictures were of famous people who had dined here, including Bill Clinton, Maya Angelou, and Colin Powell. This place had a fascinating history.
Sweat beaded on my spine, and my veins burned with adrenaline. Not only was I exhausted, but I was also begging the universe for a break. I needed River in my arms again, safe and sound. There were times that my hunches were wrong, but deep down in my bones, I felt that somehow, Tim was connected to River’s disappearance. I hoped like hell it really was my instincts and not some paranoia driven by my desperation to find her.
If I’d been hungry, my mouth would have watered the second I stepped foot inside. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, crispy bacon, pancakes, sausage, and eggs reminded me that I hadn’t eaten yet. My stomach growled in agreement as I spotted Tim in a corner booth, reading the newspaper and sipping a hot beverage.
“Hey, Holden,” a cute waitress said. She appeared in her thirties. The buttons of her white top gaped from the strain across her ample breasts.
I peeked at her nametag. How did she know my name? “Hey, Joanie. I’m looking for my father. Dark hair, in his late forties, a few inches shorter than me.”
“Right there in the corner. I’ll be over to get your order in a few minutes.” She winked at me, then her hazel eyes traveled down my chest, stomach, and long legs. “You look like dessert to me.”
I stifled a groan. Not only was I not interested in a quick fuck behind the restaurant, but I also needed to focus on Tim.
Apparently, parts of my past would never stop following me, though. I figured since I’d hooked up with one of the waitresses seven years ago, it would have died down by now. I was fifteen, and Tabitha was twenty-two, so I assumed she would have kept her mouth shut if she wanted more. She hadn’t. At all. In fact, our sexcapade stories were passed down to each new waitress that was hired. I guess the other women needed someone to fuck them in places they might get caught as well. In the women’s bathroom, next to the back door, at night on the hood of their car. If she didn’t have time for a break, I’d slide my hand up the inside of her thigh, move her panties out of my way, and finger fuck her in the employee hallway. She loved it, and so did I. Until I didn’t. The fun wore off, but Tabitha wanted a relationship. And that sure as shit wasn’t going to happen. First of all, I was a minor. Second, she wasn’t my type. No one was. I was in it for the thrill, and that was it.
“Since we’re in public and I don’t think anyone will cause too much trouble, I’ll be right back.” Zayne disappeared in the crowd of people waiting in line near the front door.
I frowned but shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans and strolled over to Tim’s table.
