“No, you don’t understand. He… Michael was at my house when I got home. I told him to leave, but… he got angry. He took it from me.”
“That’s okay,” Riley said softly. “We’ll get it. When we find him, we can get it. You did good, Ames.”
Riley kept one arm around her and leaned over to press a kiss to her head. That’s when I noticed the hand mark on her throat and I felt sick to my stomach. The asshole tried to strangle her.
If I ever found that fucker…
“Where do you think he went?” I asked.
Riley met my eyes, only then realizing just how angry I was.
When she didn’t answer, I asked again, this time more firmly. “Amelia, where do you think he went?”
She finally glanced up at me and it took her a moment to answer. “He mentioned Savannah, Georgia. Said he owed some guy money there. I think he said his name was Elliot? I’m not sure. That’s why he came for me, to try to get more money. I don’t know how he figured out where I lived, though.”
“It’s okay, you’ll be okay now,” Riley said.
I turned to leave so I could call Jake just as Riley hopped off the bed to follow me.
“Beckett!”
We stopped near the door, both unsure of what to say. My hands were clenched tight, anger radiating through me, while his arms were folded across his chest, giving away his uncertainty.
I handed him my phone. “Send yourself a text so I have your number.”
He hesitated, but did as I asked, then handed it back to me. I wrapped my arms around him and was relieved when he did the same. His hands clutched the back of my shirt and I felt him draw in a shuddering breath. I realized he didn’t think he’d hear from me again.
“This isn’t goodbye, Ry,” I whispered low, so Amelia wouldn’t hear me use his other name.
When he didn’t say anything, I held him even tighter. I hated having to leave so soon after I found him. I’d spent ten years looking for Riley, only to be pulled away after only a couple days.
Riley’s eyes were moist with tears as we broke apart, so I reached up to wipe them away.
I waited until he looked up into my eyes before speaking, needing him to see the truth behind my words. “I’ll call you, okay? And I am coming back, Ry. I promise.”
He nodded, but I could feel the doubt rolling off him.
Without thinking, I pressed a quick kiss to his forehead before walking away. It wasn’t until I got to my car that I read his text.
This is Psychic Eagle Eye, calling Detective Beach. Come in, Detective.
