Page 38 of Splintered Memories (Ember Hollow Romance #2)

August

T ristan straightened his tie as we approached the front door of the house. He smoothed down his dress shirt, taking a deep breath.

“I’ll do the talking this time.” He glanced back at me.

I nodded. The former sheriff didn’t know me well. He had a relationship with Tristan. If we were going to get anywhere, it was more likely with him than me at this point.

Tristan rang the doorbell.

We waited. The house was fairly large and in an expensive cul-de-sac. All the lawns around us were freshly manicured, the sidewalks clean and tidy. Looking at it from the outside, I’d never guess the kind of filth that lived inside this house.

We waited for so long I almost asked Tristan to ring the doorbell again, when the door finally creaked open.

A pair of dark eyes narrowed on us from a gap in the door. Alex Cohen did not look good. His skin was colorless, his facial hair overgrown and his eyes bloodshot. A large bandage was taped to his forehead, layers of gauze that were saturated in dried blood .

“Tristan,” Alex said tightly. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

Tristan stiffened, his eyes narrowing on the bloody gauze taped to his forehead. “What the hell happened to you?”

Alex grimaced. “I fell.” He wasn’t even trying to be convincing.

Tristan’s hands balled into fists at his sides. “I was wondering if I could come in and speak with you.”

Alex’s jaw tensed. “About what?”

“Something I’ve been meaning to bring up to you for a while.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling very well right now.”

Alex tried to snap the door shut, but Tristan moved.

He was faster than I expected, shoving his foot through the small gap between the door before he pressed his whole body weight against it.

Alex hadn’t been prepared, or maybe he was woozy from whatever happened to his head, but he stumbled back as Tristan pushed his way inside.

I was on his heels, ready to back him up, but Tristan shoved Alex up against the wall. Hatred burned in Tristan’s eyes as Alex’s head cracked back.

“Tell me where my daughter is!” Tristan snarled, baring his teeth.

Alex winced, his blink slow as he stared at Tristan. His eyes were slightly unfocused, as if that bump to his head had disoriented him.

“What are you talking about?” Alex grumbled, his words slow.

Tristan was not messing around. His whole body trembled with pent-up rage as he wrapped both his hands around Alex’s neck. The man’s eyes went wide and wild as his windpipe was slowly constricted.

“I know what you’ve been doing to Emersyn. Now tell me where the hell she is. ”

Alex’s face turned red as Tristan’s fingers tightened around his neck. Alex shook his head, but he didn’t seem to have the strength to put up a good fight. “I don’t—I don’t know where she is,” he gasped.

“Liar!” Tristan roared.

I took a step closer to the two men, ready to separate them. As much as we needed to find Emersyn, I couldn’t stand here and watch Tristan murder a man for the information.

Alex’s mouth gaped as he tried to pull in air. The veins in his neck strained as he clawed at Tristan’s hands. “I didn’t take her,” he wheezed. “It wasn’t me.”

Tristan stilled at that, his fingers loosened slightly. “Then who was it?” Tristan demanded.

Alex’s eyes focused on Tristan’s. His nostrils flared. “Why don’t you go ask your brother?”

Tristan let go of Alex as if he’d burned him, jerking back.

Alex collapsed against the wall, gasping and coughing. He grabbed at his neck where angry, red bruises from Tristan’s hands were forming.

“What are you talking about?” Tristan’s body shook so much, he looked like he was vibrating.

Alex choked and coughed as he sucked air into his lungs. When he could finally speak, he glared at Tristan. “I was with your daughter,” he rasped. “The last thing I remember is getting bashed in the head by your damn brother.”

Tristan’s face drained of all color. His eyes widened as he stared at Alex. Something seemed to click in his mind, and the terror in his expression had my stomach souring.

Tristan pointed a finger at Alex, his lip twisted with rage.

“I’m done with you,” he spat. “Never come near my family ever again. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll turn yourself in.

Because I will tell you one thing—I am not going to rest until you are put behind bars for the things you have done.

You don’t want me as your enemy, Alex. You know that. ”

Alex’s face hardened, but there was fear in his eyes as he stared at Tristan. He didn’t reply, and Tristan turned to me.

“I think I know where to find Emersyn.” He didn’t wait for me to reply before he headed out the door.

I ran after Tristan as he flew back to the SUV. He was in the driver’s seat and revving the engine before I reached the passenger side door. I cursed as the vehicle began backing out as I yanked open the door and jumped in.

Tristan floored it the moment I got the door shut. Panic built behind his eyes, raw and unfiltered as he skidded out onto the main road. I hastily secured my seatbelt, trying not to let his blatant anxiety ignite mine.

“What’s going on?” I asked tensely. Alex had said that Emersyn was last seen with Tristan’s brother.

Tristan’s grip hardened around the steering wheel as he clenched his teeth. “She’s with Amos. I can feel it.”

I had never met Emersyn’s Uncle Amos, but she had trusted him enough to bring her to the Emberlight festival. She had nothing but good things to say about the man.

“Why is that a bad thing?”

Tristan made a sharp left turn, the wheels squealing on the pavement. He was going way over the speed limit and I hoped we didn’t get pulled over .

“My brother—” Tristan began, but he shook his head, as if he didn’t know the right words to say. “Amos had always been close with my kids, but…I never liked it.” He swallowed, his eyes going slightly out of focus as he stared out the windshield.

“I can’t tell you what’s wrong with him,” Tristan continued, “but I know that he isn’t right.”

My brows screwed together, my voice sharp. “What are you talking about?”

“I told you,” Tristan snapped, “I can’t describe it.

I just—I’ve grown up with him for most of my life and he’s…

he’s not normal. He does a good job of pretending that he is, but I’ve seen it—glimpses of his true self.

” Tristan shuddered. “Emersyn would’ve contacted you if she could.

There’s something wrong, and if she’s with my brother… .I don’t trust him.”

My blood ran cold.

He was right about one thing, if Emersyn could’ve reached out to him, she would have. Someone was keeping her from me.

As Tristan continued speeding in the direction of the hills outside of town, I reached for the gun holster near the small of my back.

“What’s the plan?” I asked.

Tristan glanced at me quickly. “He’s vigilant. He will know that I’m on to him if he sees you.”

I frowned. “You want to go in alone?”

“If I can get him to let me in, then I can get you in. But my priority will be finding her.”

I nodded, my stomach twisting with nerves. I pulled out my gun and rested it on the center console, keeping my hand on top of it. Tristan’s eyes widened, but he didn’t say anything.

“You will get me in as soon as possible. Until then, you can take this, do you know how to use it?”

“Of course I do,” Tristan snapped.

Good. I glanced back toward the windshield, staring at the landscape flying by us.

We’re coming for you, Emy, I thought, wishing I could push the words right into her mind wherever she was.

I was coming, and nothing would stop me from saving her.