“Agreed. Why don’t you guys head over toScooped, and I’ll follow you there?” After Seth unlocks the door, I help Noah into the seat. Moving toward the trunk, I wave for Seth to follow me.
“Don’t look, but Aidan is here.”
Seth stares at me for a moment, then realization crosses his face. “Like, Aidan, the guy we banned from the shop?”
“Yeah. The same one.”
“Maybe he’s here to pick up his kid?” Seth offers.
Shaking my head in disagreement, I explain, “He’s never been here before. I’ve picked up Noah a few times, and I’ve never seen him. It’s weird that the day she disappears is the dayheshows up.”
Nodding in understanding, Seth asks, “Okay, so what’s the plan?”
“We go for ice cream and see what happens. I’ll follow you out. Pull around back if you can.” There’s usually off-street parking behind the building, and if I’m right, it will work in my favor.
Nodding, Seth slides into his car, and I head to mine. If Aidan had anything to do with Cora’s disappearance, I’ll kill him. Slowly and painfully.
Watching Seth pull out, my gaze follows, looking at where Aidan is parked. As soon as Seth drives past, Aidan pulls out right behind him.Got ya, fucker.Following their lead, I use the Bluetooth in my car to call Rhett. After what feels like forever, he answers.
“Did you guys find her?”
“Not exactly. I’m following a lead, though.” My eyes stay on Aidan’s sedan as I stay a few lengths behind him.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I need you to meet me.”
“Where’s Seth? I thought he was meeting you.”
“Just listen. Seth has Noah, and that Aidan prick has something to do with all of this. I can feel it. Meet us atScoopedin town; park in the alleyway behind, though.”
“Alright. I’ll be there. It’s probably best if you’re not here right now. Cops arrested Bri. She smashed the shit out of Kash’s car.”
Slamming my hand on the wheel, I grit my teeth. I’m so tired of everything right now. I need to keep Noah safe and find Cora. There’s no time to deal with Bri’s bullshit.
“Of course she did. Maybe it’ll teach him not to stick his dick in everything.”
Rhett snorts. “Doubtful, but one can hope. If she was a guy, heprobably would have killed them. You know how much he loves his car. Do I need to bring anything?”
I’m about to say no but change my mind. “Bring your bat.”
Rhett goes silent, then asks, “What are you going to do, Atlas?”
“Whatever the fuck I have to,” I respond and disconnect the call.
If Aidan had something to do with it, he’ll pray to every god in existence that she is okay. If he’s harmed a single molecule of her body, no one will be able to save him.
Pulling into the back of the parking lot a few minutes after Aidan, I notice he’s sitting in his car. Seth is walking up the alleyway with Noah, who’s talking a mile a minute. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but Seth is smiling and nodding. Good. Noah doesn’t have a clue that something is going on.
Aidan doesn’t move. Turning off my car a few rows back, I can see his face in the side mirror as he stares at the building. The way he doesn’t move or make an attempt to get out only confirms my suspicions. I watch as he pulls his phone out and presses it to his ear, talking to someone and gesturing around. I may not be able to hear their conversation, but he looks angry.
Rhett pulls in a few minutes later and parks next to me. When he meets my gaze, I hold my finger up to signal he needs to be fucking quiet. Rhett grabs his bat from his backseat and gets into my car.
“Fuck, it’s cold out there. So, what’s the plan?”
“Seth and Noah are getting ice cream.”
“Okay, and?”
