Page 108 of Stolen Dreams
“One picture and I’ll get your money.”
“Train yard in one hour. Come alone. If you don’t, the kid dies.” I drop the call.
The current bane of my existence crosses the cabin and blocks my path. “What did he ask for?” She tries to put her hands on me, but I step back out of her reach.
“Does it fucking matter?”
“Maybe.” She shrugs. “I know him. All he wants is Tuck.”
I eye the kid curled in on himself on the bed. If I had feelings, he’d have my sympathy. No doubt this bitch has scarred him for life. She’s probably screwed over everyone who’s met her.
Gripping her jaw, I lean in and drop my voice. “Don’t care whathewants, Cook. Right now, all that matters is whatIwant.” Lifeless eyes stare back at me as I tighten my grip on her face.
“I know.” Her eyes dart to the boy, then meet my gaze. “All I’m saying is if he asked about Tuck, he’ll get the money faster if you give him whatever it is.”
Shoving her away, she falls to the floor. I curl my lip at her, hold up a hand, and pinch my thumb and forefinger close together. “I’m this fucking close to paying off your debt with my blade. Don’t push it.”
I’ve considered dropping her off in the middle of nowhere once I have my money. But she will just make someone else’s life hell. No one needs her brand of insanity.
So once this is over, I’ll take the scenic route home. Find a dark, desolate stretch of land and pull over. Then, I’ll erase her from the world.
Moving toward the bed, I tap the camera icon, lift the phone, and snap a picture of the kid. Opening a new text, I type in the man’s number, add the photo, and hit send. Then, I drop the phone and smash it with my boot.
THIRTY-THREE
RAY
Headlights flashthrough the windows at Tymber Woulf Security and everyone inside turns to see who pulled in. I don’t know the car, but familiarity hits when the passenger exits the vehicle.
I bolt from the conference room for the front door. It swings open as I round the corner, Kaya coming into view. For the first time in several hours, I breathe a little deeper. When I have Tucker back in my arms, I’ll breathe fully.
Puffy, red-rimmed eyes greet me, and the sight breaks my heart for a different reason.
I was such an asshole earlier. Yes, I was in full-on panic mode. But it’s a poor excuse for my behavior. Tucker’s abduction is not Kaya’s fault, nor mine. Letting her carry an ounce of guilt for what happened was a dick move on my part, and I’ll do whatever necessary to make it up to her.
Swathing Kaya in my arms, I hug the air from her lungs and breathe in her comforting, earthy rose scent. “So, so sorry, Fire Eyes. I wasn’t thinking.”
If I have to, I will apologize every hour of every day until Kaya tells me to stop. Inching back, I cup her cheeks and bend at the knees so we’re eye level.
“Please tell me you believe I didn’t mean it.” Thumbs stroking her cheeks, I drop my forehead to hers.
“I believe you.”
My shoulders cave forward.
“But I won’t let you forget.”
The corner of my mouth twitches. “Better not.”
“Tré,” Tymber calls from the conference room. “Phone.”
“Shit.” I take Kaya’s hand, spin around, and jog across the office. “Come on.” We enter the room, and all eyes are on my phone on the table.
Tymber glances up, his expression unreadable. “Think it’s a text with an image.”
I swipe my phone from the table and tap on the notification. A second later, a low-resolution image of Tucker appears on the screen, and I enlarge it. Curled in on himself, he looks so damn scared. I soak in the sight of him and let the fact he is alive soothe an inkling of my panic. Then I shift my attention to the space around him—the bed, the edge of the lampshade, the picture on the wall behind him.
None of it looks familiar.