“Hey,” he said.
“I swear to God, if you hurt him—”
“Jesus, this again?” he growled.
“I told you I didn’t know anything about Sonja—”
“Take a breath, Dimples,” he directed.
“Don’t call me that either.”
“Look, I get that you’re freaked. I would be too. Teddy showed up here about five minutes ago. He came here of his own free will, Wyatt. I swear.”
“How?”
“He said he took a bus. He’s currently playing pinball with Wrath. I’m gonna get him something to eat and we’ll keep him safe and happy until you get here,” he said. “Or I can bring him to you. Whatever you feel more comfortable with.”
I walked away from my audience and hiss-pered into the phone. “I’m standing in the foyer of Meteor House with two police officers who will want to know exactly what’s going on, so I would suggest you have someone bring him back here right now or I’ll come with them.”
“We’ll be right there.”
“Not you,” I growled. “And not Aero. Send someone I don’t know. Someone who isn’t a complete asshole.”
“Baby—”
“Do not speak so familiarly with me. You’re twenty-five minutes away, so you have exactly twenty-two minutes to get him here or I’m bringing the authorities to you. This is my last shred of generosity I’m willing to give you,” I said, using the same words he had to break me.
I hung up and walked back to the group.
“He’s with a… friend,” I said. “They will be back shortly.” I glared at Justin. “He apparently took a bus to his destination, which means he got out of this building withoutanyone seeing him.”
“We’re going to address that, Wyatt,” he said. “I assure you. I’m very sorry about all of this. It will never happen again.”
“I’m glad to hear your brother is safe,” the older officer said. “We’ll just wait until he gets back here, then we’ll let you get back to your evening.”
I nodded and walked to the windows to watch for Teddy.
It took close to thirty minutes before Teddy came waltzing in…followed by Sundance.
“Hi, Riot,” Teddy said, as if nothing had happened.
I hugged him, relieved to know he was safe and sound. “We’re going to need to have a conversation about you leaving. This was not okay, Teddy Bear.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, dropping his head.
“Okay, honey.”
Justin walked up to us and smiled at Teddy. “Let’s get you back to the TV room, buddy? Sarah’s been worried.”
Teddy frowned. “I love her.”
“I know you do,” he said.
“I’ll be right there,” I promised, and watched them walk away, before turning to Sundance. “I told you not to come.”
“Miss Bates?”
The officers approached and I forced a smile. “Right. Thank you both for coming down here so quickly. As you can see, he’s safe and sound.”
