Steering my unamused attention back to Ellie, she’s a mini version of the girl whose bedroom I’m staking out. Her blue eyes are sharply narrowed in on me. She’s getting irritated by my lack of response and, honestly, I couldn’t give a shit.
However, in this world, you need a chip on your shoulder and strength to build character over shit like this.
Bay would be proud.
I’m still not amused.
“Bay is mad at me,” I semi-lie because I don’t know if it’s necessarily true. Plus,no onehas told her about Levi, and she hasn’t asked.
Yet.
Ellie’s eyebrows knit together, but I see some of the unsettledness leave her face. “Oh…”
She glimpses over her shoulder, and I return my eyes to Cairo, who’s currently throwing an exasperated hand in the air outside.
I should be out there.
Yet I can’t tug myself away from Bay’s door in case she comes out and needs something.
Cairo’s gaze meets mine, and he holds up a finger for me to stay put, probably having some information to relay. I’m hoping it’s not anything more than what we’re already dealing with. I’m sure he’s figuring out what to do with Torin and when to get him home. Reeve is still out in the weeds somewhere, and it’s time I locate him, but my brain only wants to focus on Bay being literally holed up here.
“I’m going to go see Bay.”
I don’t acknowledge Ellie’s comment. All I can think of isgood luckandmay the force be with you. She’s going to need it.
Meanwhile, Mae is jumping up and down again like a terrorist. Circling Cairo’s body like a shark for whatever damn reason, I don’t know. I never saw her go outside, but—note to self—someone needs to keep a better eye on her.
The girl has mini-Bay Astor written all over her.
Honestly, I’m almost tempted to get a tranquilizer kit for the girl and put her down, but Bay has already had child-protective services called on the girls, thanks to my cousin.
It probably wouldn’t work out for the best, but who’s going to know?
“Bay’s gone!” My feet immediately move toward Ellie’s voice before my head has even snapped to the hallway leading there.
Fear fills the forefront of my brain for the first time ever.
Bay’s gone.
My brain clicks into action mode as I sprint for the front door. All hopes are dashed when Cairo’s car is still parked in the driveway.
Unless…
I move down the rest of the sidewalk until I’m in front of the garage. The Nova is still there and in place.
No signs of anything else amiss.
Moving quickly back into the house to get Cairo, I can’t even bring myself to feel anything else but hurt and fucking angry. She’s beginning to change things inside me, and I don’t like it.
I don’t feel in control.
And she’s not either.
FIVE
bay
I’mquick to whip the wheel to my left with my palm, throwing Travis back in his seat as I feel the rear tires struggle to grip the cement. It takes a second before they stick and get me safely onto another street.
