Third in the lineup makes my stomach sink. Did I look that innocent when Aaron got his hands on me? “That’s him,” I whisper painfully. The poor kid who asked the devil to be his husband, gave me the strength to flee, and got left behind to fend for himself. Tears sting the back of my eyes, but I won’t let them fall in mixed company. I’ve had enough of looking weak to men with power over me.
“You sure, lovebug?” Blake asks, squeezing my hand, hard enough that our bones grind. The pain keeps me present in this godforsaken moment, and I’m grateful. This is not the time to let my brain run off with me. I have to help this boy.
I force my voice to be strong and unwavering. “I’m sure. That’s Aaron’s fiancé. The one on the right.”
After she asks, the chief tells us what he knows about him from the missing persons report that his grandma filed three years ago. His name is Asher Davis, and he was only fourteen when he went missing. He should be graduating high school next year. He lived with his grandparents for most of his childhood, who by all accounts loved him to pieces. His grandma still calls the local police station frequently to ask if there’s any news about his case. Asher went missing from somewhere in Virginia—Chief Brooks says the name, but it’s not one I recognize. Grandma said she thought he was seeing someone because he started hanging out in his room a bunch and wouldn’t put his phone down for anything, but he denied it every time she asked. That part does really sound like Aaron’s work. The beginning stages of isolation. According to everyone that knew him, he was an incredibly kind kid with an otherworldly talent on the piano. He had his heart set on Julliard one day.
Don’t get me wrong, Aaron is a special kind of evil for targeting young boys like he does, but there’s something extra horrible that he favors artists so he can destroy them. When I saw Asher in the park, I didn’t notice the little details that I should have. But it’s not even surprising the kid was trying like that to marry his abuser. I would have too before reality came crashing down. Good thing I was too busy trying to earn a ring instead of considering getting him one first.
“He’s going to kill him.” The words startle me, even more so when I realize they were mine. It doesn’t change the facts though. “If Asher is still alive, he won’t be for much longer.While Aaron can’t get to me, Asher will suffer for it. You have to find him or you’re going to have to call his sweet old grandma and tell her that he has been alive this entire time but didn’t live long enough to see her again.”
The clock ticks loudly from its spot on the wall—the only noise to be found in the room. Blakely clears her throat to break the echoing silence. “Easton is right. That’s why we came to you, Chief Brooks. As much as I hate to admit it, Easton and Asher are in grave danger, and I’m not sure how long we have until Aaron makes a move.”
Another unfortunate fact. Something is coming and we’re massively unprepared. I can force myself into compartmentalizing away the fear, but it doesn’t change the way I feel him lurking. Plotting away until he has the perfect chance to strike. If he weren’t a narcissist, he’d realize he was in trouble and go underground as he’s clearly done many times before. But I hurt his ego, getting away like I did. Especially the second time around. Not that I was aiming for that, but I’m sure he took it as a slight. He didn’t account for something and that never sits well with him. Aaron is flawless, after all. Each idea that forms is the best he’s ever had.
But he forgot something. Now, I’m out of his reach again, and someone else is taking the fall for it.
“We can assign a protective detail to you immediately as our investigation gets underway, but rest assured, I will take this seriously. We’re going to find him.”
“No, thank you for the protective detail. It will make him angry and violent, more than he already is. Asher has to live, and I’m not going to do anything that sets Aaron off before I know that he’s safe unless I have to.”
Blakely’s eyebrows hit her hairline, just a moment of surprise before she schools her features into something far more neutral. “What he said. We’ll decline for now, but thank you for offering.”
Chief Brooks frowns as he looks both of us over in a very disappointed dad kind of way. “Are you sure? I could even get Isaac on it if you’d be more comfortable,” he offers.
Blake checks with me before shaking her head. “No, thank you. I’ll give you a call if we change our minds, though.”
“Isn’t Landon off for preseason training?”
Her eyes narrow. “My husband isn’t my bodyguard, even in the offseason. We will be fine. If you’re that concerned, I recommend finding this scumbag so we can all move on.”
Well, there you go. Although if there was some sort of big talk about Landon going to training camp, I didn’t know about it. He kinda just took off one morning early as shit, and Blake never mentioned it was long term. I have to say, I’m not a fan of being the reason my friend can’t go be with her husband.
Blakely wraps things up with Chief Brooks, ensuring that no one calls me with updates because she is a saint and manages my problems before they make it to me. In the elevator, we finally release each other and slump against the mirrored walls.
“I’m sorry you can’t go with Landon because of me,” I say, gaze firmly on my scuffed-up sneakers.
“I’m not. Don’t feel bad, lovebug. Extra time with my friends is never a bad thing in my world, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.” The door dings as it opens. Blakely offers me a soft smile. “That was not fun. Wanna go shopping so we’re not bringing home weird vibes to the boys?”
I’m stealing her from Chase. She’s my friend now.
CHAPTER 14
CHASE
After Easton and Blakely leave, there’s nothing for me to do except try and not spin out about this. He’s an adult, after all. He can handle this. Maybe I can’t, though. Is this how he feels all the time? Because if so, no fucking wonder he struggles.
If Blake was right about one thing, it’s that this needs to be over. The caveman part of my brain wants to never let Easton out of my sight so I can make sure nothing happens to him. But knowing how controlled he’s been in the past, I know I could never attempt having that conversation, even if it’s for his safety. At least he’s not alone. That’s the only comfort I have about it. Blake is meaner than a rattlesnake when she wants to be.
Fucking Brady. I’m so over his sayings sticking in my head.
Man hasn’t ventured below Northern California since we left his parent’s house, but somehow all that southern talk is here to stay.
Because I conjured him—no, I can’t be convinced otherwise—suddenly, there he is.
I’ve been so shitty to him since Easton got out of the hospital, and it shows all over his face. I don’t know if it makes it better or worse that I’ve missed our “normal” as much as I have—and stillhaven’t figured out how to find it again. If Easton hadn’t forced my hand a little last night, I can’t say how long it would have taken me to take the leap. I’m the worst.
Brady runs a hand through his hair, uncomfortable. “Wanna come hang outside with me?”
