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“Not that we can tell. The tracker is working, and Tim is still in Oregon. It’s been quiet, but he’ll have to get back in his car sooner or later. In the meantime, we keep moving forward.”
Moving forward, ha. It seemed as though we were running in circles. Maybe Pierce thought we were getting closer, but to me, with every step ahead, we took three back. At this rate, River would be gone before we could get to her.
“Do you think … do you think River has been sold by now?” Just lie to me, Pierce.
Tension snaked down my neck and shoulder blades while I waited for Pierce to reply.
“It would be awfully fast, but I don’t know for sure,” Pierce replied.
Suddenly, I decided that I didn’t always like Pierce’s direct approach. Maybe this time, I needed him to fucking sugarcoat it for me. My sanity was swinging from a thin thread, ready to break at any given moment.
“I’ll keep you updated. Try to get some sleep, Holden.”
“I will.” I disconnected the call and rubbed the back of my neck. A ball of emotion erupted inside me. They were supposed to have found River and brought her home. I massaged my temples as I began to contemplate my next step.
My head whipped around at a soft knock, then my door opened.
“They didn’t find River, did they?” Brynn asked, her chin trembling slightly.
I pursed my lips, unable to find my voice.
Tears streamed down Brynn’s face as she sat next to me and took my hand in hers. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” She wiped the moisture from her cheeks, then she leaned against me.
I sniffled, realizing I was crying in front of Brynn for the first time since I’d met her. Men in my family didn’t cry. They buried it deep, squared their shoulders, and jutted their chin up in a mental fuck you. But not this night. Not when the air I breathed had been ripped from my lungs, and my hope trampled.
“What happened?” Brynn tucked her hair behind her ear and peered up at me beneath her damp eyelashes.
I swallowed hard, attempting to share the news.
“They arrested Laura and searched the house and property, but nothing. Not a goddamn thing.”
“If they don’t have evidence or a confession, is there a possibility that she might walk away?” Brynn sat up, fear flickering in her eyes.
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t think so. Otherwise, she’d alert her boss so they …” An idea broke through the pain. “What if they’re setting her up? What if they let her go so they can follow her in order to reach the people at the top?”
Brynn nodded. “The FBI, Sutton, and Pierce do this for a living. We have to trust that they know what they’re doing. Pierce will call as soon as he has information.” Brynn sank her teeth into her lower lip. “This isn’t over by a long shot.”
I assumed Brynn was saying it for my benefit just as much as hers.
“No, it’s not.” I slid my arm around her shoulders and pulled her into me. Out of sheer desperation, I changed the subject. “Do you think River would want a log home on the lake? Our own little paradise?”
Brynn attempted a smile. “Holden, River doesn’t care where you two live as long as you’re together.”
She was probably right, but at one time in River’s life, hadn’t she dreamed of living somewhere special?
“Pierce and Sutton’s place is remarkable. I’d love to design and build one for us. I think that having a separate place to sleep away from the business would help me disconnect. Chance is more than capable of managing the club.”
“Are you going to rebuild?” Brynn’s face lit up with her question. “I loved 4 Play and all the perks.” She smiled at me.
I nodded. “Yeah, I really think I want to. The location was right. It’s prime real estate. But this time … this time I’ll know what to look for and I’ll do everything in my power to make the club safe on all levels.”
“Which will increase its reputation. I mean, think about it. You turned 4 Play around and ran off the drug dealers and obvious prostitution. Laura was just one sneaky bitch. Add a layer of protection, so to speak. You already run background checks on all the members, but maybe Zayne can weigh in on additional steps. Sutton could be useful as well. Shit, screw the background checks. Pay Sutton to run them. She digs way deeper.” Respect flashed across Brynn’s features.
“I like that idea. A lot. Let’s talk to Chance and Jace in the morning and get their input on designing it. I’m not sure I need a penthouse. A smaller space to crash, if necessary, would work.”
“Let’s say you and River build a few hours away. It would make sense that you’d have another place to sleep. Like you two can work at home, then be at 4 Play three nights a week and Chance can take care of the rest. It’s not much different than what you’re doing now.”
I gave her a half-shrug. “It is, but I think Chance is wanting more responsibility. Besides, if we go to New York, he’s going to be running the club anyway.”
