As much as I want to give Sunny the benefit of the doubt, I know it isn’t true. Ryan makes her do out of character things. She knows that not only will it compromise her own safety, but all of our friends too. That’s why she left her own home to begin with, not just to protect herself, but her family, too. Because at least if Ryan was trailing her, she could lead him away from them. From us.
“Okay, let’s get going. Time is of the essence. Anthony takeSam home. Then call every single place you can think of,” I order.
“I’m not going home when she is out there!” she yells as Anthony grabs her by the bicep trying to pull her away.
We were so close, Sunny. We were so close.
Cole looks at me. “You ready?”
It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had to do this. It won’t be our last.
“I’m ready,” I say as I unlock the door.
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
SUNNY
I burstthrough my apartment door, frantically trying to figure out where to even start. Why did I buy so much shit if I knew I was leaving?
I go to my room and grab a duffle bag I pre-packed sitting in my closet. It has a few outfits, hygienics, all my money and everything I need for my escape.
I just never thought I’d actually have to use it.
I peel my scrubs off and throw them on the floor and put on sweatpants and a big hoodie, hoping it’ll cover my face enough so no one can recognize me. I throw a beanie on too and tuck my hair into it.
How could I have been so careless? Did I trust the words of the detectives too much?
Ryan’s absence meant a possibility of a future. That if he hadn’t shown up by this point, he probably never would. Even though they still have no idea where he is, they said it was enough to move forward until something arose.
But he got my number.
He called me.
Could he trace my number here? I smashed my phone. Would that help prevent him from tracing it?
Grabbing all my things, I rush to the window, knowing the fire escape is my best plan because what if he is outside my door?
I look around this apartment that has been home for the last five months, a place of peace I thought I’d never get. Swallowing hard, I give my mental goodbye and slam the window shut.
CHAPTER SEVENTY
TYLER
Once my homeis cleared and secured, Cole and I jump into my truck to take on Sunny’s apartment. I was hopeful that maybe she was hiding somewhere, waiting for me to get there.
But she wasn’t. Of course she wasn’t. I should know better by this point.
My jaw flexes, the pain of my grinding teeth radiating through my temples as we drive to her apartment. My grip tightens on the wheel, a useless attempt at trying to contain my anxiety.
“We’re going to find her.” Cole looks at me.
I don’t say anything because I feel like I’m going to fucking combust. If Ryan had been here, I would’ve known.I would’ve fucking known.
Cole checks the security footage on his phone. “It looks like she smashed her phone herself. Then she took off.” He’s still watching the tapes. “I don’t see any points of which Ryan was here or anyone else.”
Relief fills my chest. I’m not sure if Ryan has someone helping him or if he is a lot smarter than I give him credit for. Ireally can’t credit a man on brains when he lays hands on a woman. But he’s doing a pretty damn good job of laying low and flying under the radar.
I’m not sure of the extent of his capabilities. We’d be able to tell if my cameras were hacked, but I made it almost impossible for that to happen. Same with my alarm system and entry system. My home is a fortress only my family can access.
