“No way,” I say, clenching my fists.
My little brother blocks me, arms folded. “It’s too personal and you’re emotionally involved. Trust the club. Let us do our job.” He points at Colt. “He’s waiting for Bumblebee and the information, and you’re going to see those kids. Do you hear me?”
“Dragonfly,” Colt mutters.
Deep down, I know he’s right, but damn it… I gotta do something.
“Forget it, Pax. We’re goin’ ourselves.” Brooks starts toward the door, but Paxton grabs his arm.
“Think about it!” he roars, pulling my best friend back. “You have zero leads, and your son is terrified at my mom’s house, a woman he barely knows. You go to him, and I’ll get the information we need to find Jen and Layne, Brooks.”
Brooks puts his hands on Pax’s chest and pushes him away. “Goddamn it, man.”
Paxton’s right, I know, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. I put a hand on Brooks’s shoulder. “Call me if you find anything. I don’t care what time it is.” I almost poke Pax’s eye out with my index finger. My little brother nods. “I’m counting on you.” I pull Brooks with me.
“I can’t believe he’s forcing us to sit on the couch while Jen…” he starts.
“Pax’s right,” I sigh, “Brandon needs you, man.” Shaking my head, I walk briskly toward my parents’ house on the other side of the property.
“As if he can’t manage on his own.”
“Damn it, Brooks, he’s eight years old and probably scared to death to lose his mother. Just like you’re scared to death to lose your wife. He’s your fucking son, and you’re going to watch a movie with him, so he knows you care. You’re letting Pax, Colt, and Ash do their jobs. He’s right!”
“They can’t—”
“Shut up, man. Ash knows what Jen means to you, what she means to Brandon. So do Pax and Colt. Your son comes first right now.” I climb up the small steps to the porch, open the door, and give him a friendly pat on the cheek. “Show him that special smile, will ya?”
We go through the doorway, down the hall, and into the living room, where Rebel and Brandon sit on the sofa. As soon as they hear us, Brandon jumps off the couch.
“Dad,” he exclaims and runs toward Brooks. Thankfully, his father catches him and a small smile appears on his face.
“Hey, buddy. How are you?”
Brandon shrugs when Brooks lets him go. “Okay. We’re just hanging out with Abby. I think we’re driving her crazy.” He tries to smile, but can’t quite manage it. Behind him, Rebel’s round face appears. She looks up at me hopefully, but I shake my head.
“Hey, Shorts,” I breathe. Before I can finish, she throws her small body against me and her little shoulders shake. I immediately lift her off the ground. “Hey, it’s okay. Everything will be okay.”
Sobbing, she straightens up and says, “You can’t say that. What if it will not be okay?”
Damn. That little girl is smarter than me. “You’re right, but we’ll do everything we can to try, okay?”
A watery smile appears on her face. “I know.”
I pull her close to me. “Want to watch a movie?” Nodding, she buries herself in my leather vest.
The four of us walk to the couch and plop down. Grabbing his phone, Brooks places it on the armrest, keeping a watchful eye on it before giving me a significant look.
Brandon grabs the TV remote, and within seconds, he’s got a movie playing. Long live the digital age in which today’s children are growing up. I lean back against the cushions and Rebel snuggles up under my arm. Somehow, it’s an incrediblysatisfying feeling. The warmth of her little body does me good, and I peek at Brooks, who, amazingly enough, has his arm around Brandon. In his other hand, he has his cell phone, on which he is typing furiously. My thoughts are with Layne and whether Colt has found anything yet, or if Pax has gotten anything out of The Kid, even though I know I have to trust the club. We’re short on time, but teamwork will get us there. We need to get them back as soon as possible, because there’s a good chance that both Layne and Jen will disappear into the clutches of human traffickers, and I don’t even want to think about what will happen to them then.
My eyes remain fixed on the group app the whole time, while my leg bounces involuntarily.
When the movie ends, we get up and change the kids’ clothes.
“Why can’t I sleep at home, Dad?” Brandon asks as he puts on his pajamas.
I urge Rebel to pull the top of her pajamas over her head and then lead her to the adjoining bathroom.
“Because I might hear something about your mother tonight, and then I’ll go after her right away, buddy. If you’re at home, I’ll have to leave you alone, and I can’t do that.” Brooks replies with no emotion in his voice.
