“We need an update,” Wes told Luca when they walked into the house.
Baz stood there, listening while Luca ran down a list of things they’d done, to no avail. The only thing they knew for certain was that Dante Greenwood had nothing to do with it because he was locked in a rehab facility somewhere down south. This meant the chance they weren’t chasing their tails by focusing on the redhead was better than good.
Not that it made him feel any better.
According to Luca, people were out looking for her, actively looking by driving around Coyote Ridge and the neighboring towns. They were calling in frequently to advise of the places they’d checked out, who they’d talked to, but no one knew anything. Up to this point, no one recognized Sonny Gilmore, and no one recalled seeing a redhead and a blonde in the area.
They were back where they started.
“I was able to hack into the Ring camera at Molly’s parents’ house,” Luca explained. “If they show up there, we’ll know.”
Baz figured that was a long shot. What were the chances Molly and Sonny would take a break to visit her folks? And if they did, where did that leave JJ?
“Don’t lose hope,” his father said, putting a firm hand on Baz’s shoulder.
Oh, he wasn’t. He was beyond that. He was already plotting Molly’s murder because as soon as he got JJ back, he was going to make damn sure that crazy bitch could never do this again. He wasn’t a violent man, but the mere thought of Molly clouded his vision with a red haze. She wasn’t going to get away with this.
He was going to make damn sure of that.
***
1:40P.M.
As soon as Sonny was out the door, JJ turned her full attention to Molly.
“How well do you know him?” she asked, not bothering to hide the fear in her voice. In this instance, it would only help her cause.
“Pretty well. He’s my friend.”
“He loves you,” JJ said. “I can see it in his eyes.”
“He’s my friend,” Molly insisted. “I love Sebastian.”
“I know. But Sonny loves you. Did you ever think about what that means?”
Molly moved closer, her blonde eyebrows lifted. “What does it mean?”
“He doesn’t want Sebastian to have you.”
Molly stopped short as though JJ had slapped her. “He knows how I feel. We’ve talked about it. He understands.”
“He does,” JJ agreed. “But he wants you all to himself.”
Molly shook her head. “Why would he help me then?”
“I don’t know.” JJ pretended to ponder that for a moment, trying to keep her heart from exploding out of her chest. “He wants to be with you. He thinks you need him.”
“I don’t,” she said very matter-of-factly.
“But you do. You’re lettin’ him make the decisions, Molly. As long as you let him, he’s in control.”
JJ knew she had to be convincing, and since she wasn’t much of a storyteller, she had to believe what she was saying. It wasn’t difficult considering her circumstances.
“He wants to control you, Molly.” Lowering her voice, she looked directly into Molly’s eyes. “I think he’s gonna kill the baby and Sebastian so they can’t have you.”
Molly gasped.
“I saw it in his eyes. When you talk about Sebastian, he gets angry, Molly. What happens when Sebastian comes for you? Sonny’s gonna kill him so he can have you all to himself.”
