Page 26 of Cursed Fox (Willow Creek Security #4)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Nancy

"We have to find her."

I was beginning to sound like a broken record, but I didn't care. The thought that Thomas had Jessie was making me sick to my stomach.

"We will," Lex reassured me. "We won't stop looking until we find her."

He held my hand as we drove to the hotel just outside her university. We didn't know where Jessie could be, but I wanted to be close to her last location just in case.

"I just don't understand. If Thomas did take her, then why? She's a broke college student just trying to get by. If Thomas is mad about Jimmy being successful, then taking Jessie doesn't make any sense."

"Didn't you say she got into med school?"

"Well, yeah, but she's not a doctor yet."

But could that be enough for Thomas? Just knowing that she got into medical school. There was no way to know what my ex was thinking. I hadn't been able to figure it out when we were married, and I sure as hell couldn't now.

I was about to say as such to Lex, but my phone ringing stopped me. I didn't recognize the number, but the area code was Oklahoma, so I quickly answered. "Hello."

"Well, if it isn't the bitch herself."

I slapped at Lex's arm to get his attention.

"Thomas?"

Lex pulled off to the side of the road and took his own phone out of his pocket.

"Where's Jessie?" I begged.

"I was wondering if you would figure it out. It was the last note I sent, wasn't it?" Thomas taunted.

"Just tell me where Jessie is." I wasn't in the mood to play his games.

"See, I don't think I will. Not until you answer my question." The prick always did love his mind games.

"Fine, yes," I huffed. "Yes, it was the last note. The one you sent me gave it away."

Thomas laughed. "I knew I made it too easy, but I was getting sick of being ignored. That little bastard wasn't listening."

I was tempted to remind him that little bastard he spoke of was his son, but the man didn't deserve that kind of recognition.

"I answered your question, now tell me where Jessie is."

"You don't make the rules," Thomas snapped. "I make the rules and I'll tell you when I'm good and damn ready."

I’d almost forgotten how narcissistic the asshole was. Everything was about him, and he didn't give a damn about anyone or anything else. I just hoped his procrastination didn't mean trouble for my daughter.

"I'm sorry." I knew how to play his games. I had spent years being trained to do so. But it killed me to do it today knowing what was at stake.

Thomas was back to laughing. A maniacal laugh that reminded me of all the times he’d enjoyed making me feel bad about myself.

"Please, Thomas." I wasn't above begging when it came to my kids.

"Fine. But only because I want to see your face when you see what I've done. Seven hundred fifty Austin Street." He spat the address out. "Come get your little bitch so she can watch me kill you."

Thomas ended the call and I took a deep breath.

"Did he give you an address?" Lex asked as soon as I took the phone away from my ear.

"Yeah. Seven hundred fifty Austin Street." I put the address into my phone's GPS. "It says it’s twenty minutes from our location."

"I'll do my best to get us there sooner." Lex gunned the engine. "What else did he say?"

I didn't want to tell him what Thomas said, but he needed to know what we were headed into. "He wants Jessie to watch as he kills me."

Lex growled. "I'm not going to let that happen."

He white-knuckled the steering wheel, so I reached over and pried one hand off so he was forced to hold mine.

"I know you're not. Everything's going to be okay."

I hoped more than anything that was the case, because I wasn't sure Lex could take any more people getting hurt in his life.