“That would be best,” he replied. “We’ll meet you there. We’re bringing Marissa with us.”
“Okay.” I ended the call and put Zach’s phone in my pocket. I got up and went to stand in front of Zach, stopping his pacing. “Zach, look at me.” His eyes were glazed and distant when they finally met mine. I blew out a breath and firmed my voice. “Okay, I hate to be an asshole, but you can’t check out right now. Allie needs you. You need to go get that power of attorney and we need to get to the hospital. Now.”
He blinked and focused on me. Tears welled in his eyes and spilled down his cheeks. His voice was a plaintive cry. “Miguel. My baby sister.”
“I know. We need to get to her. Okay?”
Zach nodded, went into his closet, and pulled out the box with his important papers. He found the blue folder where we’d put Allie’s will and pulled out a set of power of attorney documents. “Let’s go,” he said.
“Do you have your wallet?” I asked.
He checked his pockets and shook his head. He looked around. “On the dresser.” He grabbed it and slipped it into his back pocket. He stopped and stared at me wide-eyed. “What about Cody?”
“I’m going to ask Isabella to stay with him until we can make other arrangements. Is that okay?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
My family was gathered in the living room waiting for us. I pulled my sister and parents aside and explained the situation as quickly and quietly as possible. Isabella immediately volunteered to stay before I could even ask her.
Cody made a beeline for Zach. “Uncle Zach, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Zach swallowed hard. “Hey, little man,” he said hoarsely. “Miguel and I need to go out for a while to help…a friend.” Zach looked over at me, and I nodded. “Diego and his mama and sister are going to stay here with you until we get back. Okay?”
“I want to go with you,” he whined.
Zach shook his head. “Not this time, buddy. It’s only for grownups.” Cody started to cry, so Zach picked him up. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Okay?”
“Okay,” he sniffled into Zach’s shirt.
My mother took him from Zach. “Hello, bebé. Let’s see if we can find another movie to watch.” She sat on the sofa and called Diego to sit next to her.
I got our jackets and my car keys. I held out my hand to him. “Ready?”
He put his hand in mine. “Miguel, I’m scared.”
“Me too.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE
ZACH
Miguel dropped me off at the entrance to the emergency room and went to find a parking spot. It was Saturday night, so the place was packed. I hadn’t gotten far into the waiting area when I heard someone call my name. I turned to see Marco heading my way. I went right over to him, and he pulled me into a tight hug. It was strange and wonderful to be held by someone bigger than me. “How are you holding up?”
“Not great,” I admitted. “Miguel had to go all sergeant major on me to get me to move. Have you heard anything?”
He shook his head. “Liam went in a little while ago to see if he could get an update.”
“Do you know if my parents are here?”
Again, he shook his head. “The police weren’t able to reach them. When I told them you had been contacted, they stopped trying.”
“Jesus Christ. They’re never around when we need them.” I looked around the crowded waiting area. “Where’s Marissa?”
He gestured behind him. “She’s sitting with another friend. She’s pretty shook up.”
We both turned to go back to where Marissa was sitting. She spotted me as soon as I turned the corner. “Zach!” She burst into tears before I even got to her. “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. I wanted to go to Kim Marie’s after the concert.”
I took her in my arms and soothed her. “It’s not your fault. How were you supposed to know Scott would show up?”
