“She stole Mary and rode away last night.”The only reason she’d snatch a child is if she suspected abuse.
“How long ago? And how old is she?”If this bastard hurt them, I will-
“She’s a ten-year-old Harley but runs like a dream. And she left sometime after three. Didn’t even leave a note.”
Not having slept, it takes a moment for me to process his answer.
“Give me a few.” I swipe my mirror image of her phone and curse. She must’ve turned it off.
Then, I text her security detail and they tell me they lost her on the parkway. My chest tight, I ring Suds. Not only do I need a friend, but I also need his private eye expertise.
“No time to explain. Landy’s gone missing. Can you use Jason and find her?”
Time stands still as his keyboard clicks. “Sorry. Nothing.”
“Shit. Thanks, I’ll be in touch. Keep him on it, if you could.” Praying she’s alright, I connect back with Kade. “Do you have any idea where she would go or why?”
“No. When we went to bed, she was fine.”
“You two had sex?” If he fucked her, I need to know.
“We’re friends.” His bitterness isn’t fake. He’s telling the truth and now I feel sorry for him. “I’ll reach out the minute I hear anything.”
“Same here.” Once he hangs up, I ponder my next move.
She stole his bike, but why? In one scenario, Jian Zhang lured her away. The other possibility is she found Chandler’s killer.
My next call goes out to Oliver who has eyes and ears on the Chinese. “Lanita’s gone missing. Has there been any chatter?”
“I doubt it. Everyone’s busy planning for the big shindig. I’ll make a few inquiries and if I hear anything, will reach out.” His answer, while encouraging, doesn’t get me any closer to finding her.
Shit. I throw on a pair of jeans, grab a t-shirt and hop in my car. Maureen’s seems the next logical place to start looking.
By the time I arrive, there’s three police cruisers and two ambulances blocking the street. I leave my SUV where it is, race to the front of the house and on the way, pass an old Harley parked in the driveway.
Fuck. She’s here. I fly to the door where a policeman grabs my arm. “Can’t go in there.”
“My girlfriend? Tell me she’s okay.” My hands shake as I pull out my phone and show him the picture of Landy I took at the zoo.
While he studies, I turn toward the empty emergency vehicles. The paramedics must be in the building. I pray like I never have before. Please God, let her be alive.
“Dash, you’re here.” When my woman rushes down the stairs and into my arms, I don’t care who sees my damp eyes. The only reason I let go of her is to step aside for the stretchers.
“I don’t think I’ll be collecting a reward anytime soon.” Sighing, Landy watches Lou and Maureen loaded into the ambulances.
After the sirens disappear, I take her hand and lead her to the front lawn. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Her beautiful mouth grimaces. “Promise you won’t be mad.”
I cup her cheeks, kiss those soft lips, and take a deep breath. “Just tell me.”
Her eyes lift to mine, searching for what, I don’t know. Eventually, she sighs, shakes her head, and toes a dandelion. “I wanted you to respect me.”
“I do. I always have.” My fucking heart constricts, and my throat tightens. How could she think otherwise?
“Well, I felt I needed to prove it. That’s why I called Kade to bring me back to Angel’s. I was sure the key to who murdered Chandler could be found there and I was right. Remember the biker who hit on me and Sam? Grizz?”
“How could I bloody well forget?” My fists clench. If Kade let her get hurt, I will wrap Mary’s tailpipe around his fucking neck.
