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“Yes. One moment.” I sent Brett a text.

Jaymi: On my way home. Natalie pulled Lili from school.

I kept the phone clutched in my hand and followed Nicole into the hall. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”

“I can tell something is wrong. I’m going to assume this has something to do with Lili.”

“No. I’m not feeling well.”

“Then this is a medical emergency?”

“Yes.” Whatever she needed to hear for me to go.

“I understand, but since this is a medical emergency, I’m going to require a doctor’s note.”

“Nicole… Do whatever you think is necessary.”

She could send me to the disciplinarian board. I could be terminated. Right now, I didn’t care. All that mattered was getting to Brett so he could get to Lili. We might already be too late.

As I rushed to my car, I called Brett. The phone rang and went to voicemail. “Call me,” I said. “It’s urgent.” They could be halfway around the world.

Maybe he’d gone back to bed or taken a shower. Five minutes into the drive, I called again. “Answer.”

I called again. I called every two minutes as I drove home. I whipped around the corner and raced up the driveway. The garage door was open. Brett stepped forward, wiping his hands on a rag.

Slamming on the brakes, I brought the car to a jarring halt. I flung open the driver’s side door. He tossed the rag toward his bike and rushed over to me.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” He gripped my shoulders.

“Lili wasn’t in class today.”

His palms slid onto my biceps. “It’s okay. She’s good. I talked with her last night when you were on the phone with your mom. She told me she was going on a trip. Since I won’t be able to take her for a couple weeks, she’s going to miss a few days of school to go see her grandma. Nat’s mom lives on the west coast.”

I shook my head. My pulse was at a gallop, and I couldn’t catch my breath. “No, Natalie pulled her out of school. Permanently. She’s off my roster.” With each word spoken, my voice rose. “They took her, Brett.”

His brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

I calmed my pulse and focused. “Friday.” Tears filled my eyes. “Oh, god, Brett, they’re taking her to France.”

“What?” His grip tightened on me. “Nah. She can’t take her.”

“Maybe not. She’d have to have a passport. She couldn’t get one without your permission.”

“She has one. Natalie’s parents took them to Mexico a couple of years ago. I was on a run up to Sturgis with the Crawlers.”

“Then we’re too late.” I relayed everything I’d been told in the office. “I’m scared, Brett. How will we get her back?”

“I don’t know. I’ve been fucked by the law enough times to know not to trust cops. Fuck.” He raked his fingers over his scalp. “That fucking bitch.” His throat bopped on a swallow. “If she took my kid, I’ll fucking kill her.” He stormed across the driveway, grabbed his new cut from the seat of his bike, and shrugged it on.

“Wait.”

“Nah.” His voice cracked. “I’m done, Jaymi. I’m tired of hoping my relationship with Natalie will get better.”

Before I could stop him, he fired the engine, revved the throttle, and blasted down the drive.

“Oh god.” Hot and toxic fear slipped through my veins. He was going to hurt himself, or he was going to hurt Natalie. I spun in a circle. If Lili was already gone, he was going to need me.

I rushed back into my car, punched into reverse, and squealed the tires as I backed down the driveway. I had no idea where Natalie lived, but I headed toward Jefferson Elementary. Since Lili was in the district, she’d have to live near the elementary school.