“Is it fun?”
“Hell yeah, there isn’t a high like it.”
“Maybe I should do something crazy and wild.”
“Oh, lord, Pippin is going to kill me.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. As we watch the movie and all the crazy stunts, I can’t help but feel like I should be doing something more than I am. I was given this second chance that most people who have been through what I have would never get. I’m not dumb. The statistics regarding abductions, especially those about children, are grim. I might not feel like a miracle, but it doesn’t change the fact that most people stand a better chance of winning the lottery than surviving what I did. I bite my lip and, for a minute, let the wonder of feeling invincible wash over me before Star’s face flashes behind my eyes. Taking risk, just for the thrill of it, doesn’t seem quite so appealing when I realize that if anything happened to me, it would be Star who would pay the price. She’s already lost so much, and she’s happynow and in a good place. Am I really selfish enough to take that away from her? Not a chance in hell.
“You’re thinking awfully hard over there. Anything I need to be worried about?”
I shake my head and smile, watching the happily-ever-after unfold before the credits start to roll. “No. I was thinking about life and the way things work out.”
“Only you could get philosophical while watch an action movie.” She laughs as we get to our feet. I follow her out to the foyer before heading to the restroom. The giant soda was overkill.
I’m just washing my hands when my cell vibrates in my pocket. I snag a handful of paper towels and hurry to dry them before answering when I see it’s Star’s school. “Hello? Is Star okay?”
“Is that Miss Dillion?”
“Yes. Is Star okay?”
“Yes, Star is fine. I’m just calling to inform you that there was an incident at school, but Star has not been hurt at all. I’m sorry to scare you like that.”
I take a deep, shuddering breath as I walk out and see Amity frown when she catches my expression.
“Then what’s wrong?”
“I’m calling to let you know that Star’s father tried to collect her from school early today, but as he didn’t have the password, we couldn’t send him with her. If you would like to add his name to the pick-up list?—”
“Did he give you his name? This man, I mean. Did he give you his name or tell you he was Star’s father?”
Amity is on high alert. I’m hoping one of the guys went to pick her up, and the staff just assumed, but I can’t help the sick feeling welling up inside me.
“He did, ma’am. He said he was Star’s father.”
“And his name?” I choke out.
“Let me just look to see if a note was made. Oh yes, here it is. The man’s name was Jasper. Jasper Markem.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
AMBROS
“Ambros, call for you,”Con calls out as I walk past reception.
I look over and frown before I remember I left my cell phone in the interview room. “Crap. They say who it is?”
“It’s Amity.”
I snatch the phone from him and put it to my ear, already on guard. “Amity? What’s wrong?”
“Get down to Star’s school, quick as you can.”
“Fuck. Is she okay?”
“Star’s fine, but Citi isn’t. She needs you, Ambros.”
“I’m on my way.”
