AllFreeNovel
Share Us
August clamped a hand on my shoulder, squeezing. “We’re gonna find her, Reid.”
I dragged my eyes to his. He would do everything in his power to get Lark back to me, but he couldn’t promise he would get her back alive or unscathed.
My hands shot to my hair, and I dragged them through it. My heart hammered; my ribs constricted around my lungs until it was hard to take a breath. How had I let Lark slip right through my fingers like this? I should’ve done more.
“I should’ve taken the threats more seriously,” I growled, pain lacing those words of regret. “I shouldn’t have let her out of my sight.”
August’s grip tightened, growing almost painful. “You did everything you could. It would’ve been impossible to watch her 24/7.”
I should’ve tried anyway. “If something happens to her—” My voice cut out as my composure slipped away.
Roman, the oldest of us, stepped forward from his place at the back of the room. “Hey,” he said, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. He stopped in front of me, those dark eyes boring into mine. “Take a deep breath,” he instructed. “I know you’re scared, but you have to calm down. For her. You’re no good to her if you can’t keep it together.”
I locked eyes with my big brother. He had never been one for a lot of words, and when he did speak, he tended to sound more pissed off than anything else. He seemed so calm now, though. There was no judgment in his voice, but it was firm.
He dipped his chin in a nod as I concentrated on a few deep breaths. But it was Roman’s strength that I pulled from. I’d always seen him as a wall of steel, hard and cold, but unyielding. That was the kind of strength I needed now.
“I’ve got it.” Fox’s voice drew all our attention as he appeared in the doorway and hurried inside.
The four of us gathered around him as he offered me his phone. My pulse rushed in my ears as I looked down at the map that was pulled up. A small red pin flashed outside of the town limits of Ember Hollow.
“That’s where Xander’s phone is?” I asked.
Fox nodded. “Yes.”
I didn’t know how he pulled it off, but I was sure it wasn’t exactly legal. I didn’t care, though.
“When I pulled up a closer satellite view, it doesn’t look like anything is around it except for a broken-down trailer.”
“A trailer?” I frowned, inspecting the location again. “There was a drug raid on a trailer a few weeks ago. Xander mentioned it.”
August and I looked at each other. The place would be abandoned. It was far away from any civilization. August gave me a nod. “Let’s go.”
We both headed toward the door.
“I’m coming,” Roman said.
I halted and glanced at him over my shoulder. “You don’t have to.”
He gave me a glare that challenged me to argue with him. I wouldn’t.
“I’m coming too,” Graham added.
Fox went to open his mouth, but August held up a hand. “No.” He shook his head. “You are not coming. I need you to stay here in case that location isn’t accurate for some reason. You’re more helpful working from here.”
Fox narrowed his eyes but didn’t argue. “I’ll contact the police. They’ll be right behind you.”
August nodded, and the rest of my brothers and I hastened out of the office and toward the parking lot.
I’m coming, Lark. Hold on.
August drove, pushing the speed limit of his SUV as we sped out of town. My skin pricked with anxiety. We were going as fast as we could, but it didn’t seem like enough.
Nothing was enough.
“There’s flashlights and weapons in the black duffel in the back,” August said.
Roman reached behind the second row, pulling up the bag and opening it. He distributed the items; there were enough for us all. As part of our training for Hearthstone, we were familiar with the Glock pistols. The metal was cold in my hand as I checked that it was loaded. It had been a while since I’d carried a weapon outside of the shooting range, but it felt good in my grip. A security that I was capable of fighting back.
