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“Promise?” she asks. And even though I know that nothing in life is certain, I make the promise because—when it comes to this—failure is not an option.
Hanging up with Arden is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I need my phone to get everything organized. Somehow, in the hustle and bustle of notifying everyone, Tucker, Kenna and I all jump into Tucker’s squad car. I barely notice until he turns the sirens on and flies toward the ranch.
Hang in there, Sugar.
“Tent over there, supplies underneath it,” Drew says, taking control as he sets up a command center near the edge of the woods. It’s been less than an hour since I got the call about Theo, but every second feels like an eternity as we gather and prepare for an orderly search.
Having been part of countless search and rescue missions, I know how important this is. But this time, I’m dying to charge in without waiting. My jaw clenches, and I run a hand through my hair in frustration, watching them stack supplies and divvy out water bottles.
“Blue and I are heading out,” I snap at him, already holding Theo’s scent item. Drew lifts his eyebrow, staring me down, and I glare right back. Fuck protocol right now. I don’t even care if he gives me the okay. I’m leaving.
“Ready to go,” Arden says, stepping up next to me. The idea of her coming has me balking, wanting her to remain home where she’s safe. My brothers are all here and several police officers are milling about—this is where she needs to be, so I open my mouth to tell her so. “Don’t even try it. That’s my baby lost out there.”
“You really should stay here,” Drew jumps in. “Whoever finds him will bring him straight in, and the first person he’s going to want is you.”
I appreciate the way he’s talking as though it’s a when, not an if—but the stubborn jut to Arden’s jaw makes it clear that she won’t be left behind. She can’t remain here while everyone else is out searching, and if we leave her; there’s a chance she’ll go out into the forest on her own.
“She can come with me and Tucker,” I insist, knowing it’s the right choice when she tosses me a grateful look. When my friend steps forward, her face pales and her eyes dart to the gun holster on his hip. Arden trembles beside me, and although she straightens her shoulders with determination, the side eye and wide berth she gives that firearm gives me pause.
Tucker notices it as well, his eyes meeting mine. “Would you prefer if I left it?” he asks her, and she swallows hard before answering.
“What if you need it?” she whispers, shaking her head. “I’ll be fine.”
With that, Blue comes to press into her side, whining at me. All the dogs are getting hyped up, sensing the tension and knowing that we’re about to embark on a search.
Mayhem, Tucker’s dog, is panting already, tugging on his lead, and the nerves churning in my gut calm knowing he’s here. Trained to bite and fight, Mayhem may be just what we need. Though I only know bits and pieces about Theo’s dad, if he’s waiting for us deep in the woods there’s a good chance we’ll be in for a fight.
And there’s no one better in close combat than Mayhem.
Taking the plastic bag containing Theo’s dirty blue shirt from the previous day, I bend down, allowing the dogs to shove their snouts into the material. The second the scent floods their noses, Blue and Mayhem take off and we follow, heading straight into the trees.
Please find him.
Chapter Fifteen
The dogs move quickly through the brush, weaving this way and that, and I follow them blindly, stumbling over logs and debris. Leaves crunch under their paws, and the sound is quickly swallowed up by the forest surrounding us. Birds chirp in the trees, insects buzz, and sweat coats my skin. We meander back and forth; the dogs scenting everything.
“The boys were playing hide and seek for a while back here. We may need to hike out further than see if we can find a straight trail,” Jeremy tells Tucker; who grunts in agreement. My lips remain sealed since I know nothing about scent trails or how the dogs search. All I know is that my Mama gut is screaming. Something is wrong and it’s all my fault. We got too comfortable—too relaxed. I stopped looking over my shoulder every few minutes. Let him play outside all alone…
So stupid.
“You’re a useless cunt, Arden. Fucking stupid bitch. Thought you could get away from me. DIVORCE me?” Frank snarls, his beady eyes black with anger. Fingers dig hard into my biceps, gripping painfully when I attempt to wrench free. Yanking my arm pisses him off, and quicker than a snake, he rears his arm back and punches me in the face.
Pain erupts around my eye, but I don’t think it was hard enough to break anything this time. And I would know, it’s become his favorite spot. In the beginning, he only left bruises where others couldn’t see, but over the past few months it’s escalated.
At least Theo wasn’t here to see it.
The courthouse stands behind us, the beautiful white columns creating the perfect backdrop for the last time his hate touches my skin.
“Not that stupid, Frank,” I spit, glaring at him and holding my ground even though my eye is beginning to swell. “Smart enough to take your abuse. To document it. To use it against you and save my son.”
His face turns red with rage, almost purple. Fortunately, the courthouse guards begin moving in our direction, realizing that the violence between us is escalating. The two meaty security men hustle down the steps as fast as their thick legs carry them. But they aren’t quick enough.
Frank smacks me across the face again, busting my lip. And I smile at him through the blood in my teeth. The taste of copper is sweet on my tongue as his actions give me just the footage I need for the restraining order. The judge just ruled in my favor, just gave me full custody of Theo with no visitation for this piece of trash—and now he’s out here hitting and threatening me.
Seems like the perfect evidence for a restraining order.
“A divorce is a piece of paper, you cunt,” he rages. “I’m a cop. You can’t stop me from seeing my son.”
