I inch closer, but not too close.
“Have you seen this girl, Amirah Ledger?”one soldier asks the guy who was driving the car, showing him his phone.
Shit.I’ve seen her.I wish I fucking hadn’t, though.
The guy shakes his head.
“What’s your business here?”the soldier asks.
While they are distracted, I move through the tree line until I’m a block away.Then I run as fast as I can back over the tracks, slipping through a gap in the fence when the guards turn their backs.I don’t stop until I reach my car a block away.
I slide into my old BMW and warm up the engine before reversing out and onto the street, heading straight for Bear’s place.
I hate leaving Cleo.It was easier when her mother was here just three short weeks ago.She gave us time together, but now everything is different.She’s gone, and it’s getting harder to make arrangements to see Cleo.I won’t stop trying, and I won’t allow Callan to abandon her.They are searching high and low for Amirah, and it won’t be long until they’re blowing down our door.
She’s been with us a week, and I’ve spent every moment I can watching her through the cameras.At first, I just wanted to make sure she didn’t escape and run back to Daringville and tell them all our secrets, but now it’s become more than that.
I want to watch her, to see what she does next.I’m fixated on her, and that confuses the fuck out of me.I never wanted this—to capture someone and hold them against their will.It’s not right.But once Kai mentioned Cleo in front of her, all bets were off.I can’t risk anyone finding out that Cleo is mine.If they do, death would probably be a better option than whatever punishment they would give my daughter simply for being mine.
I head through the entrance, waving to Derek, who’s seated there, and pull to a stop next to Bear’s motorcycle.I hop out, bringing my backpack with me.The amusement park is illuminated by the bright, colorful lights beaming through the night.He’s always got this place lit up like a fucking Christmas tree.
The gravel crunches under my boots as I move toward the latch door leading me into Bear’s living room.The room’s dim light comes from the corner, where Bear is sitting in front of the laptop.His shirt is off, his pants are down, and his hand is wrapped around his cock.
“What the fuck?”I growl, but he doesn’t even acknowledge me.
He keeps going until he groans and cum rolls between his fingers.Then he cleans himself up with some tissues before tucking himself away and slumping back in the chair.
“Where’s Kai?”I ask.
Bear scoffs.“I’m not his mother.”
“Well, he sure as shit seems to be treating this place like his home since Amirah came to stay,” I mutter.He’s practically moved in.
“Now I feel better.Well, it would be better if my cock was inside the princess, but this will do.”Bear sighs, still focused on the computer screen, and I roll my eyes, moving closer.
My best friend is a lunatic.It doesn’t surprise me that he’s obsessed with Amirah Ledger.When something challenges him, it’s all he can focus on until he masters it—or breaks it.
Amirah is curled up on the bed, facing the camera, her knees tucked in, and her long, dark hair is matted and greasy, covering half her face.She looks broken and my chest tightens.Where’s that fire in her eyes that she had before?It’s gone.She’s fading away.
“They’re looking for her.Saw the patrol on the tracks,” I say.
Bear shrugs.“Thought they’d be here sooner.They obviously don’t care about her that much.”
“Maybe your story about her being at Berkeley was enough to throw them off our scent.”
“That, and I heard Spider say they’ve been going undercover in the diner downtown.Fucking idiots.Like she’d just be hanging out behind the counter.”
I shake my head.But for once, maybe Bear’s creepy theme park is doing us a favor.No one would ever think we’d keep her in the most well-lit, obvious location in the Hood.I don’t even know if Freya understands how much time Bear spends here.We’re hiding the princess in plain sight.
I look back at the camera, and Amirah is in the same position.“Did she take a shower today?”I ask and Bear gets up off the chair.
“She still refuses to, but I’m happy to force her in there, if you’d like.”The corner of his mouth lifts and his eyes glisten.
I grip the edge of the wooden chair, staring at the screen.She’s staring right at me through the camera, like she knows I’m here, watching her.Is someone watching my daughter right now?What would I want for her if she was in this situation?
“No, I’ll do it,” I say, before moving away.
“Aww, no fun.Maybe we can together?”
