Page 86 of Nothing to This

“And everything he’s going through—and I’m just sitting here—”

Tears welled, so her words silenced.

“Men like to fix things, and he’s used to being in charge.Letting him take the lead grants him a mercy.They go crazy, men like him, if they’re not in control.This is him, doing what he’s doing, in a grab for control.”

“But he’s not in control.None of us are.Only the person holding my daughter has the power to give her back.”

“If we can find her, if there’s a witness or someone with a suspicion, you can steal that power back.Right now, it doesn’t feel like control, but it’s progress.Every person and place Stone and JD eliminate is one less place to look.”And there was some comfort in that.Miniscule comfort, but comfort nonetheless.“What’s she like?”

Her mind had been wandering again.“Hmm?”

“Your daughter.Her name’s Sky, right?”

“Yes,” she said, a tight, slight smile broke through.“Which is ironic because she’s all about mermaids and the ocean right now.We should’ve named her something water related.”

“A swimmer, huh?”

“We don’t take her to the pool as often as we should.It would be a great time to get her into…” A swim club or a team… Would they ever get that chance?“Sorry.”

“There’s time,” Roxie said, squeezing her hand.“Your daughter will come back to you.”

JD promised that, but they couldn’t know, no one could for sure.Even if she did…

“We don’t know what they’re doing to her.She’s five years old.Five.She knows nothing about… She’s five.”

“Whatever she endures, you’ll get through it.If your JD is anything like my guy, he’s not the type to give up.If your daughter needs help, you’ll both be there for her, to support her with whatever she needs.”

It didn’t bear thinking about.“When is your friend due?”

“End of January.”

“Does she know what she’s having?”

“A boy.No name yet though.He has a lot of aunts and uncles with strong opinions on that subject.”

“JD’s sister, Brenna, is the same.Loud, vivacious.At least she was until…”

Brenna was in the living room behind them with her mother and had hardly said a word.Guilt was going around.No one could claim to be blameless, yet she didn’t blame anyone.No one but herself.

“I have a streaming channel, it’s run through—it doesn’t matter,” Roxie said, raising their joined hands.“I can tell people whatever you want them to know.They’ll do everything they can to help.No bullshit.Me and mine will do whatever it takes to support your family.And if you’d rather I just disappear—”

“No.”Urgency struck her.“Please.Everything—we need as many people fighting for Sky as we can get.I don’t have connections or money, but I’ll spend the rest of my life repaying—”

“Hey.”Roxie cupped her face.“All I want is to meet your little mermaid.”

And she prayed that would be possible.That her little girl would be back with them… and soon.

THIRTY

Standing in Kye’s bedroom doorway, she watched her baby boy sleep.Safe.Calm.She’d taken the security of their life for granted.Would she ever be able to tear herself from that spot or take her eye off him again?

Lost in thought, she hadn’t known anyone was approaching until two hands squeezed under her arms to pull her back into a tight embrace against a solid body.

“How is he?”JD asked her, resting his chin on the top of her head.

Settling her arms over his, she stroked his forearms, grateful at least for his attempt at comfort.“Asleep,” she whispered.“I didn’t think he’d ever close his eyes… but as soon as he did, I wanted him to open them again.”

“Come on,” he said and tried to draw her away.