Page 6 of Pieces of You

“I already told him. He knows. If they need help, you and I are ready,” he promised. “I would’ve volunteered Kyle too, if he wasn’t balls deep in tryna settle into civilian life. But Crew doesn’t know we’re aware of his role in this yet, and I wanna keep it that way for now. He gets defensive.”

I nodded to myself. “Okay. I’m still gonna text Reese, but all right. We’ll talk later. If you hear anything, let me know.”

“Same to you. Talk soon.” He hung up.

I screwed my eyes shut for one second and saw Shay’s smirks and heard his laughter echo in my skull. I couldn’t fucking believe it. He’d been through enough, that cocky sweetheart.

Opening my eyes again, I went back to my text conversation with Reese, and I left him another message.

I talked to Cullen. Bring your boy home. If you need help with anything, I’m here, whether you need me in combat gear or just to head over to Shay’s aunt and brothers.

Now to face our community…

I called Colt. I needed him by my side—not to mention Lucas. Lucas flew under the radar sometimes, but he was damn organized in a crisis. A few years ago, after the fire at the house, it was Lucas who’d kept track of everyone in the aftermath.

CHAPTER 2

Tate Madden

Icouldn’t believe it.

I just couldn’t believe this was happening.

“People don’t fucking get kidnapped,” I croaked, scrolling through the list of events on our online forum. “That’s shit you hear on that news, but it never happens to you or someone you know.”

Kingsley pressed a kiss to my temple and ushered me to the truck. “Get in, baby. Don’t look back, by the way—Zoe’s in the window.”

Oh shit. She couldn’t see me cry. It would upset her too much.

Kingsley made sure to wave to our girl, and he had enough strength to fake a smile. Then we got in the car, and he wasted no time. He pulled away from the curb and sped up.

Our day by the pool was now something else entirely. My folks would watch the girls, thank God, because in no way could I process this news with them around.

Mr. West’s text would be embedded in my memory forever. And possibly haunt me in my dreams.

This text is going out to everyone in our immediate Mclean circle. Please read the article attached for more details. This happened to the friend whom the Tenleys were flying out to visit, and it seems Shay is unfortunately one of the people who was taken.

Colt, Kit, and I are heading out to Mclean. We don’t know much yet, but if you wish to be around people, feel free to join us. Can someone with full admin rights cancel all events for this weekend, as well as next week?

Whatever you do, refrain from reaching out to the Tenleys. Those of you who are close to Shay, I hope you’ll come out to the house. We need to get in touch with his family to see if there’s anything we can do.

I sniffled and scrolled through the last of the events. Most had been canceled by someone else, and I made sure to cancel the last three.

Oh God, Shay had to be all right. They had to rescue him and bring him home!

“Fuck,” I blurted out as a thought struck. “I have to call Lane.”

Kingsley and I were one of the few couples who happened to know that Ty and Lane had recently established a kink dynamic with the Tenleys. I didn’t know what kinds of feelings were involved, but I did know Shay and Lane were extremely close.

“Remember to process your feelings, pet.”

Pet.

I drew a deep breath. I’d needed that reminder. It centered me.

“Come here.” He lifted an arm.

I was quick to scoot closer, and he draped his arm around me.