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But I know better.
“Ethan!”
His jaw tightens like he’s trying to stay strong. “I’m sorry, Colter. Truly.”
I leap toward him and grab his jacket with both of my hands. I shake him as my eyes blind with rage. “What the fuck did you do? Tell me, now!”
He still says nothing but doesn’t try to push me away this time. He’s built like a linebacker and could easily overpower me, but right now he looks like a beaten puppy.
“Did you tell her ex-husband where she was? Did you contact him?”
Ethan yanks himself backward out of my hold and steps into the hallway. He shakes his head, but it isn’t in denial. The guilt shows clearly on his face. “You know my wife is sick. There’s an experimental drug that might help her. I’m sorry.”
My jaw drops in astonishment, and after a few moments of rage-filled shock, I clench my jaw, close my eyes, and take a deep breath.
“What did you tell him?”
Silence fills the space, but I wait this time. I hold my fists tightly at my sides and tell myself repeatedly not to kill him. There isn’t time for rage or revenge.
“He paid me two-hundred thousand to tell him when she left.”
“Is that all? Was that the first time he reached out to you?”
He frowns.
“What else did you tell him?!”
“He showed up at my home weeks ago, asking about you. It was the day after you brought Abi here the first time. I didn’t even know who he was or that he had anything to do with her. I assumed it was someone on Danny Bower’s team. I said nothing incriminating and wouldn’t have ever talked to him if I’d known at the time he was after Abi and Zeke. He’s the boy’s father, though, and he told me later Abi had taken him.”
Ethan takes a step toward me with his hands raised in defense. His pleading is utterly pathetic, but I stand still and listen.
“What was I supposed to do? Please understand. My wife—”
“Ethan,” I say, my tone deadly. I’ve heard all I’m going to. “I get it. I honestly do. But you should’ve talked to me first. I would’ve given you the money, myself.”
I step up to him until I’m in his face. “Fuck your resignation. You’re fired.” I turn and stride away from him. I don’t look back as I take the stairs two at a time.
I’m out the door and in my car before I can think straight. Every muscle in my body is tensed as I pull out of my drive, the gate opening far too slowly. Streetlights light my way and other car’s headlights barely register in my head. It’s too full to think straight. Too full to even make a plan. I just drive aimlessly as if I’ll spot Abi on the streets, but I know better than that.
Wherever she is, she’s far away from here. I have contacts, but they aren’t enough to get me to her in time. They require bribery, or even worse, paperwork, warrants, police. I don’t have time to obey the law, and there is one person who comes to mind who I know can help me.
I keep driving and it isn’t until the lion statues come into view that my muscles are able to relax.
Hang on, Abi.