“Come on,” I laughed, “You know me. I don’t make threats.” I tousled his greasy hair with a smirk. “Don’t bend over, big brother.”
“You stole from me, you bloody bastard!” His cuffs bounced off the table, and his shouts faded as I walked away. Guards rushed past me, and I swallowed the smile wanting to merge with my lips.
The mobile sitting on the dresser blew up, ring after ring, every call either Travis or Laurie, my contact with the publishing house. For days, I’d ignored everyone, and today was no different. My greedy eyes remained on the digital clock over the nightstand back at the hotel room, awaiting the proper time to ring Bruce, Mia’s dad.
Pennsylvania was only five hours behind me, and it was a tad past noon. Not a day went by I didn’t make that call, eight in the morning his time, to see if Mia showed. Today would be no different.
And for thirty more minutes, my fist clenched as I sat at the edge of the made-up bed, staring at the green letters until they blurred into an unrecognizable shape.
At exactly 1:00 pm my time, my alarm went off, and I swiped the mobile off the nightstand.
“Nothing,” Bruce greeted me through a weary sigh. “You know you don’t have to call every day. I’ll call you if she shows up.”
I appreciate it, Bruce, but I’m still calling. “Did you file a missing person’s report yet?”
The hesitation in the silence lingered for a moment, and I already had my answer.
“Oli—
“No, don’t. I don’t want to hear it.”
“I’m sure she’s fine.”
“I want to believe that, but I know different.”
“I’ll call you if she shows.”
“I’ll ring you tomorrow.”
And that’s how the conversation had usually gone. Mia had always said her relationship with her dad had been estranged from the moment her mum died. My faith in humanity was slowly dissolving with each passing day. It had always been Mia against the world, but now it was the two of us against them. She had me, and I hoped it would be enough to save her.
My resources were limited, coming straight from a reformatory school without many friends. Jinx swiped Ethan’s address from Lynch’s office out of the goodness of his heart, but I still wired his mother funds to keep food in the fridge. He said it wasn’t necessary, but I couldn’t let his family go hungry either. Jinx was a good man. He worked hard and stayed away from trouble for the most part. But like every other bloke, his biggest weakness was girls. And Jinx liked to drink from a tall, white glass of milk. His words, not mine.
A few days ago, I’d driven past Ethan’s house to find no one home. I’d even peeked through the windows and challenged every lock, but nothing. Only a nosy neighbor who wanted to know what I was doing loitering around Ethan’s cookie-cutter home. After striking a conversation, the polished older lady had mentioned she hadn’t seen him or his car in a week, which wasn’t unusual for him. He’d always leave for weeks at a time. I’d also tried his mobile, but the number was disconnected.
During my last visit with Lynch, he’d informed me that Ethan resigned by email, and he’d taken off on release day, which also wasn’t unusual. Lynch only had him in contract until that day. None of it made sense. It was all too easy—too clean.
The rap at the door grabbed my attention.
“It’s Travis. Your mate. Remember me? Pretty blond hair. Irresistible blue eyes.” I made no movements to get up, but then … Another knock. “C’mon, mate. It’s cold out here, and I need to talk to you.”
I stood and walked to the door to unlock it. Travis sauntered in and plopped over a navy armchair, making himself comfortable. Regarding my shirtless chest and joggers, he raised a brow. “You can’t go to Thurrock like that.” I paused and narrowed my eyes, waiting for him to drop a laugh or a line to indicate he was joking. For two and a half seconds, we had a stare-off. “I’m serious,” he added.
“No, no, no, no …” I shook my head and dropped over the edge of the mattress with my head in my hands. My chin fastened between my fingers, and I peered up at him. “I left that place two years ago, Trav. I’m never going back.” My main focus was on finding Mia. There was no reason good enough to go back to that shit-hole. None.
“Summer’s receiving calls. Threats. The Links are looking to collect. I only need you there to back me up.”
Except for that.
I groaned. “I thought you were past the Links and moved on from that life. What about Summer? The baby?” Guilt ate at his features as he ran the pad of his thumb over the flint wheel of the lighter, igniting and watching the flame fade away. Over and over. “What do they want?” I finally asked with my hands in the air.
The vein in his neck popped, making the angel wings tattoo come to life. Trav’s eyes moved from where the flame disappeared to me. “They want me to finish the job I was arrested for.”
“How much?” I’d rather pay them off and finally get him out of this mess. There wasn’t an amount I wouldn’t pay for Summer and their baby’s safety. He’d finally got his life in order. How long has he been keeping this from me?
“I’m not asking you for money.” The lighter disappeared inside his fist as he leaned closer. “I’m meeting them at Jack’s. The pub in Ockendon. It’s an hour from here—”
“I know where it is,” I seethed.
