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I ground my molars together, preparing to lie my ass off. “On one condition.” I didn’t dare look at Brian, Michelle, or Pierce. This hadn’t been planned.
“What’s that?”
“If you know who is involved with her disappearance, tell them to release her. Once she’s safely returned, I’ll leave her alone for good. She’s pregnant, Dad. I need my baby to be safe.”
A heavy silence hung on the line, and I held my breath, wondering if I’d fucked everything up.
“I’ll ask around to see if I can find anything out. No promises, though. As I’ve said before, I didn’t have anything to do with her disappearance and neither did Logan.”
“I understand. Plus, the thumb drive proved it as well,” I added.
“Well, I’m glad we’ve moved past that at least. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“All right.” I disconnected the call and my gaze swept over the faces staring at me.
“That was risky, Holden,” Pierce said, speaking first.
“I know, but I was thinking that he might call—” Multiple pings filled the room.
Sutton glanced at her phone. “It’s Tim. He’s making a call.” She tapped her screen a few times, then his voice came through loud and clear.
“It’s me. What the hell are you doing? Did you know that River is pregnant with Holden’s kid?”
Silence.
“Your plan won’t work now. Let her fucking go. If anything happens and you’re busted, you’ll go down for not only River, but the baby too. Stop being so goddamned stupid and get her back to Spokane or I’m coming after her myself.”
The pause was longer this time, then Tim barked out a laugh.
“When I have my men behind me you won’t think it’s so funny. You have twenty-four hours. I won’t tell you again.” Tim disconnected the call, and we all stared at each other with hopeful expressions.
“That’s what I was hoping for when I told him she was pregnant.” I pointed to Sutton’s phone.
“It was a gamble, but it worked. He obviously knows this person well because he never announces who he is. They’re familiar enough with each other that they have each other’s numbers on their cells, too,” Brian said.
“So, we’re set for ten tomorrow morning.” I rose from my seat, anxiety coursing through my veins with every beat of my heart. “I hope to hell this works before I get in too deep.”
“Me too,” Jace said quietly. “Me too.”
Over the next hour, Brian and Pierce went over all the details for my morning meeting. One thing was for sure, taking action was helping me not to fixate on River as much. Even though this was all about rescuing her, it gave my tormented mind something else to focus on: the solution.
It was almost three in the afternoon when Zayne parked in front of Chance’s place. I was eager to fill Brynn and Chance in, as well as grab a beer.
I closed the front door behind me as Jace and I entered the house. Brynn was in the kitchen with a big bag of cheddar Ruffles in her hand. A playful smile eased across her features. “The edible worked.” She wiggled her brows at us.
“Excellent.” Jace strolled over to her and gave her a big hug and a kiss on the corner of her lips.
“I’m happy to cook something for dinner. What sounds good?” I placed my phone on the kitchen counter, then wrapped her up in my arms. “I’m glad you’re eating.” I kissed the top of her head, then rummaged through the fridge for ideas on what to make.
“Do you know what sounds good?” She hopped up on the counter and swung her legs just like she used to when she was a little girl.
“What?” Chance said, joining us. He snatched a chip out of Brynn’s hand and grinned at her before he loudly chomped on it.
Brynn’s lower lip jutted out. “Those are mine. I’m not sharing.”
“I’ll buy you as many bags as you want. I promise.” Chance slipped his arm around her, and she leaned her head against his shoulder.
“What was I saying? I keep forgetting.” Brynn giggled.
