“He filed a missing persons report with Vader this morning,” Zin added. “Sheriff’s office is treating it seriously. Baron’s daughter, international flight—they’re already coordinating with agencies.”
“She could be hurt. Or worse. Baron’s daughter—someone could have taken her for ransom. Or?—”
“Which is why we’re here,” Cru, seated beside me, interrupted, resting hishand on my arm.
Ridge raised his head. “Dalton, Zin, and I will mobilize PIs here in the States. Check hospitals, police reports. See if there’s been any accidents or incidents.”
“I’ll help,” Snapper offered.
“We’ll head up the international search,” said Press, motioning to Beau and Zin. “First thing we need to find out is if she ever made it out of SLO,” he added. “She would’ve got a connection either through LAX or SFO.”
“We keep this contained, reporting through encrypted channels only,” said Brix. “If there’s nothing else, let’s get to work.”
I was about to ask what I could do when Brix spoke again. “Kick, you’re with us.”
“Understood,” I said, wondering if he knew something I didn’t and that was why the only people not walking out were Avilas.
Rather than stay in the meeting room, Brix led us into one of the tasting areas, where he grabbed glasses and Cru tapped a barrel. “I’m gonna leave this up to you, Rascon,” he began after we all had wine. “There’s clearly more to your association with Isabel, and weneed to know what that is. However, who you confide in is your decision. It can be all or just one of us.”
I met the eyes of each of my brothers. The only person who’d mind was Snapper, and after what Isabel did, making sure the Christmas Blessing Wine was able to be finished and released, I doubted he’d care, either. Plus, he already knew the worst of it—that I’d been the one who told her things I never should have.
“We became friends after last year’s Wicked Winemakers’ Ball. I wasn’t around much, as you know, but we kept in touch.”
“When did it change?” Snapper asked. My eyes met his, and instead of the animosity I feared I’d see, I witnessed concern.
“The night after this year’s ball, but it didn’t last long.”
“You took her to the airport,” prompted Brix.
“The first time we really talked was on Christmas Eve. I tried to clear the air between us, and while the call ended with us being ‘reconciled,’ for lack of a better way to put it, I sensed she was telling me what I wanted to hear.”
“What else happened?” Cru asked.
“I called her again on Christmas, then the morning after. I was about to give up after only reaching voicemail, but then she picked up.” I told them how she’d said she was trying to arrange a ride to the airport and when I offered to take her, she accepted. “We didn’t talk much on the drive, and when she said goodbye before entering the terminal, I gotta tell you, it felt like it was forever.”
Snapper put his hand on my shoulder. “We’re gonna find her, Kick.”
“What can I do?”
“You know the drill. The one who comes to thecaballerosfor help steps aside,” he responded before his eyes met Snapper’s.
“What?” I asked.
“I’m in charge of keeping you out of trouble,” said Snapper.
“No,” I blurted. “Sorry, but I…can’t.”
“Then, you’re with me,” said Bit. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
My eyes met Snapper’s once more, and again, instead of anger, they were filled only with concern.
“Sorry,” I muttered.
He shook his head. “Bit’s more fun than me anyway.”
“Damn straight,” our older brother muttered as he took my arm and led me out of the room.
“Where are we going?” I asked once we were out of the caves.
