Page 15

CHAPTER 15

Brooklyn sat stiffly in Ethan’s truck as they sped toward Dave’s Café. The low growl of the engine matched the tension humming in her chest. She stared out the window, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the puzzle of Liam’s disappearance. The scenery blurred past, but she didn’t register any of it—her thoughts were trapped in the memory of Tuesday.

She’d gone to the café to pick up Liam like she had dozens of times before. But now, as she thought back, an uneasy feeling crept over her. Who had been there that day? She pictured the café in her mind.

Dave had been behind the counter, his apron spackled with flour as he worked the espresso machine. He’d smiled at her as always, but had there been something off about it? She couldn’t be sure. Her focus had been on Liam, who was chatting animatedly with one of his friends at a corner table.

She’d known they were going to argue about him having to leave. He had to work on his science fair project. That’s what she’d been thinking about at the time. His science fair project. It seemed ridiculous now, but it had seemed so important at the time.

Then there was Lily, one of the baristas. Brooklyn’s jaw tightened at the thought of her. Lily was always flirting with every man who walked through the door, her bright laugh and exaggerated smiles impossible to miss. Brooklyn had dismissed her behavior as harmless before, but now she wondered. Could Lily have said something to the wrong person? Given away too much information without realizing the danger? Or, more likely, she’d shared the fact the boys were there with some male who had struck her fancy, never dreaming there’d be any consequences.

“A penny for them.”

Ethan’s voice broke into her thoughts. His hands gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles tight, but his tone was calm. Reassuring. She’d been so angry when she’d come out of the bathroom this morning to find he was already gone. She ignored his call earlier but now she was so incredibly grateful that he hadn’t ignored hers. His quiet strength and reassurance helped her keep it together. Without him to lean on she was sure this would be so much harder.

“I’m trying to remember who was there when I picked up Liam on Tuesday,” Brooklyn admitted. “Everything’s blurred together, and now I’m second-guessing everything.”

Ethan nodded. “Start with what you know for sure. Who stood out?” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“Dave was there, of course,” she said, biting her lip. “And Lily. She’s always there. She flirts with everyone… maybe she said something to the wrong person? Or even called someone who asked her to keep an eye out?”

Ethan glanced over, his expression unreadable. “We’ll figure it out.” He ran a hand over his face.

Brooklyn frowned. “Are you feeling okay?” She’d been so caught up in everything that she hadn’t even noticed Ethan looked like he was uncomfortable.

“Just a headache,” he said dismissively but then winced when a truck next to them honked the horn.

“Are you sure?” Panic gripped her. She needed Ethan’s help. He couldn’t be sick. Not now.

“Ah…I was in a car accident a while ago and got a concussion. It flares up every once in a while. I’ll take something for it when we get to the café.”

“Oh my God. When did that happen?” How had she not known this? Easily, was the answer. After he hadn’t bothered to call her their one night together, she’d avoided him.

“Do you remember that huge rainstorm six months back? It happened early that morning. It had rained all night and the retiree driving the other car just didn’t see me through the drops.”

Heat flew up into her cheeks and then drained again. He was talking about the night they’d been together. The morning when she woke up to find him gone. Just like today. “Were you hurt? Other than the concussion, that is?” Sweat broke out across her back.

“No,” he said shooting her a brief smile. “I was not too far from your place actually when it happened, or so they tell me. I have no memory of it. I lost about twenty-four hours, but other than that I’m fine.”

Brooklyn wanted to scream. All this time, she’d been thinking he ghosted her, and instead, he’d been in the hospital. He didn’t recall them being together. Heat filled her cheeks again and she turned to look out the window. She’d been a royal bitch to him this entire time and he’d done nothing to deserve it.

She bit her lip, turning his words over in her mind as they pulled into the parking lot. She owed him a huge apology. She closed her eyes. Thinking about all that now wasn’t going to help. She pushed it from her mind as a detail to address after this ordeal was over.

Dave’s Café looked the same as ever, its quaint brick facade and hand-painted sign beckoning patrons inside. But today, it felt different. Menacing, almost. She shivered as she climbed out of the truck, Mojo’s leash in Ethan’s hand as the dog hopped down and trotted at his side.

The bell above the door jingled as they entered. The familiar scent of coffee and cinnamon didn’t bring the usual comfort. Dave stood behind the counter, wiping down the surface with a damp cloth. He looked up as they walked in, his face lighting up with his usual friendly grin.

“Brooklyn,” he said by way of a greeting. “What brings you by?” He glanced at his watch. “The boys won’t be in for another couple of hours.”

Brooklyn felt a pang of guilt. Dave had always been kind to her and Liam, offering extra cookies and making jokes to keep Liam laughing. But something in Ethan’s posture made her hesitate. He was tense, watchful, like a predator waiting for his moment to strike.

“I…um…need some coffee.” She turned to Ethan. “What would you like?” Ethan placed his order and the two of them waited as Dave made their drinks.

“We need to talk,” Ethan said, his tone calm but firm as Dave placed their drinks in front of them. “Privately.”

Dave’s brows knitted together in confusion, but he nodded. “Who are you?”

“Sorry, Dave, I should have introduced you. This is Ethan. He’s helping me with…” her voice broke. The lump in her throat grew spontaneously and she couldn’t seem to swallow to get her words around it.

“Uh…” Dave started uncertainly but the look on her face must have told him something was very wrong because he said, “Come with me.”

They followed him through the swinging door behind the counter, into a small storage room crowded with shelves of supplies. Mojo sniffed the air, his ears flicking as he stayed close to Ethan’s side. Dave leaned against a shelf, crossing his arms.

“What’s happened?” he asked, his tone wary now.

Brooklyn stepped forward, her voice shaking slightly. “Liam’s been kidnapped, Dave. Someone lured him into a black SUV outside his school.”

Dave’s face paled. “What? Taken? That’s… that’s terrible! Who would do something like that?”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “That’s what we’re trying to figure out. We think someone might have tipped them off the other day. Someone who knew Liam’s routine.”

Dave’s hands fidgeted with the rag he was still holding, his gaze darting to the floor. “I… I don’t know anything about that. You know I’d never…”

Brooklyn’s heart sank as she watched him. The easy confidence that usually radiated from the man was gone, replaced by a nervous energy that set her on edge.

“Dave,” she said softly, stepping closer. “We’re not accusing you of anything. But if you know something, anything, you have to tell us. Liam’s life depends on it.”

Dave’s throat worked as he swallowed hard. “I don’t know,” he said again, his voice cracking. “I don’t…”

Ethan stepped in then, his tone sharper. “Cut the crap, Dave. You’re hiding something. A blind man could see it. Whatever you’re holding back is going to come out one way or another. You might as well save us all some time, save Liam’s life , and tell us now.”

Brooklyn’s stomach churned as she watched the exchange. Dave’s hands trembled, and his eyes darted around the room, refusing to meet Ethan’s gaze.

“It was you,” she whispered, the realization knocking the air from her lungs. “You called someone about Liam.”

Dave’s head snapped up, his face a mask of panic. “No! I didn’t… I mean… it’s not what you think!”

“Then what is it?” Ethan demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Dave sagged against the shelf, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I swear. I was desperate. I borrowed money from some guys I shouldn’t have… for my gambling debts. They said they’d forgive it if I gave them some information. They didn’t say why. I didn’t know they’d…”

The room spun around her. and she clutched the edge of a shelf for support. Her voice rang with disbelief. “You sold Liam out to pay off your debts? Jesus Christ, he’s a little boy. How much did you owe?”

Dave’s eyes filled with tears. “A lot. Way more than I can ever pay back but I didn’t know they’d take him! They just wanted to know his schedule and who he was with. I thought… I thought it was nothing.”

Ethan’s jaw tightened and he clenched his hands into fists. “Who did you call, Dave? Names. Now.”

Dave wiped his face with a trembling hand. “A guy named Kenici. He… he works for the Yakuza. I… I can give you his number.”

“You’re damn right you will,” Ethan said, his voice icy. “And you’re going to pray that Liam comes back safe because if he doesn’t, there won’t be a hole deep enough for you to hide in.”

Brooklyn turned away, tears streaming down her face as the weight of Dave’s betrayal crashed over her. She’d trusted him. Liam had trusted him. And he’d handed her nephew over to a fucking gang.

Ethan’s hand settled on her shoulder, grounding her. “We’ll fix this,” he said quietly. “But we need to move fast.”

Brooklyn forced herself to stand tall. Liam needed her to be strong, and she wouldn’t let him down. Not now. Not ever.