The operator keeps talking to me, but I turn the volume all the way down. She’s going to give me away.
I dive toward the small hole and it smells awful, but I’m able to get my shoulders through. It’s a tight fit, and I can feel the woodscraping the skin on my back. Shit, that hurts. I just need to wiggle until my hips fit…
“…your phone,” someone says.
I’m almost inside. Just a little more.
“He doesn’t know my passcode,” Chad says like an idiot, but his footsteps are getting closer. Okay, okay. Come on…
And I’m in!
I scramble to the back corner of the crate and try to be quiet, which is hard because I’m panting like I’ve just run a marathon. A marathon that I didn’t train for.
“We’ll find him,” Travis the Troll says. “It’s not like he can go anywhere.”
“Rory,” Chad calls out. “You can’t hide from us. You might as well come out now because the more you piss us off, the more it’s going to hurt when we find you.”
Daddy, please find me before they do.
28
LEX
I watch as Rory goes to talk with the Detective Risch. She looks amazing, but I only have eyes for my boy. He looks so pretty and soft in the custom suit I gave him. I can’t wait to undress him later. Maybe we can take a bath and he can suckle?—
“Some party, Alexander.” I huff out an annoyed breath and turn around. I know I needed to invite David, but you’d think he would have the decency not to show up.
“David. Glad you could make it.”I’m going to fuck up your son. We shake hands, and I turn to the side so I can see Rory.
“I heard you have a boyfriend.”
“He’s speaking with Detective Risch. They’re old friends.”
David looks toward where I nod and flinches ever so slightly.
“A bit young, Lex,” he teases. “But I understand the appeal of a younger lover.” Everyone knows he has a few mistresses. “How did you two meet?”
“His brother is my new doctor.”
“Really, Lex? The help?” he teases.
“How’s your pool boy?” I throw back. David’s eyes widen a fraction before he laughs. “We all have to get our fun somewhere.”
“Is your lovely wife here?”
“She’s speaking with the mayor right now.” He pauses. “I would be remiss if I didn’t at least ask you to spare my son.”
“Don’t waste your breath.”
“Hopefully, he’ll finally learn something.” David sighs like he’s exhausted or just resigned as he walks away.
Rory’s gone…
My rabbit…
My boy…
It all happened so fast. I was watching him from the corner of my eye while he was talking to Rebecca, then the alarms went off, and all I could think about was getting Rory to safety, but I couldn’t find him.
