I scream so loud that the neighbor knocks on my door. When I open it, he just looks at me with worry in his eyes and says he hopes the police find them soon.
“Are you there?” Liam asks.
I feel frozen. Am I even here? A strange, broken sound comes out of me.
“Liam. Why didn’t you tell me?” I manage, my voice hoarse.
“I...” He’s silent for a second. I can almost see him struggling to find the words. “I didn’t want you to worry. I thought I could handle it on my own. I was handling it. They just…cheated”
“They are the fucking mafia,” I say. “Of course,they cheated. And don’t I have the right to know if I’m in danger? Don’t I matter enough for you to consider my safety in all of this? Fuck you, Liam. Fuck you for not telling me, for shutting me out these past weeks. I could have done something. I could have tried to protect them.”
Goddammit, I’m crying again. I’m so angry, worried, and sick over this, and I can’t stop crying or screaming. And I feel so fucking helpless, scared, and lost.
“I’m coming over,” Liam says.
“The hell you are,” I say.
“Em—”
“Do. Not.” I snarl.
But then I think about it. He might be the only person who can help me get them back. And I really don’t want to be alone.
“Fine,” I say. “Come over. But don’t be surprised when I punch you in the mouth.”
27
LIAM
My Honda whinesas I push it past ninety, rattling like the whole damn engine is about to shake loose, but it still feels like I’m crawling.
For once in my life, I wish I had one of those flashy cars the other guys drive, which would be fast enough to tear the asphalt off the road and get me to Emma before the next minute destroys her.
My hands won’t stop shaking.
I’ve lost control in a way I never have—not on the ice, not in a fight, not even all the years dealing with my dad’s debt.
This is different.
Emma’s safefor now, but her sister and her son are gone.
Every passing second feels like claws raking through my ribs.
This is my fault.
All of it.
And I don’t know how the hell to make it right.
I hit Nik’s number. He answers on the first ring.
“Nik, it’s bad,” I choke out. “They took Emma’s sister and her son.”
Silence. The deadly kind.
“Where are you now?” Nik demands, voice like steel.
“Heading to Emma’s. She’s alone and freaking out.”
