Page 12 of Summer Kisses (Kissing Junction, TX #8)

Donnie

I am filing my report from our last job, when my cell phone rings. Some kids had chipped some firecrackers in a trash can, behind the diner. Unfortunately, there were a bunch of half-empty liquor bottles in the can. Needless to say, there was a bit of blaze.

“Hello?” I say answering the call on the third ring. I didn’t think to check the caller id.

“Hey Donnie. It’s Kristy. Uh, Verity never came to pick up Victoria. She has been waiting over an hour.”

I check my watch. It’s almost four. Her study group should have been over at two forty-five. I know for a fact she would never forget V, so something must have happened to her. I begin to panic, though I have no concrete reason to.

“Ok, Kristy. I’ll be there in a few minutes.

” I hang up and quickly shut the computer down.

I snatch up my keys and head out to the elementary school.

The whole way there I continuously call Verity’s phone.

It goes straight to voicemail each time.

I leave a message, but it seems to dead or out of range.

Making it to the school in record time I get out and head inside the school.

“Thanks Kristy.” I say as I take V’s little hand in mine.

“No problem. Have a good weekend, Victoria. See you Monday.”

“Bye Ms. Sinclair. Hi Daddy. Where is Mommy?” She asks, looking concerned.

“I am not sure, baby. But I am going to find her.” I don’t want to scare her, but I have never encountered this before. I decide that honesty is the best policy. She falls into silence and I realize that I can't bring her with me.

“She forgot me. Why did she forget me? She never does. She’s not coming, back, is she?” She rambles quietly as I help her back out to the truck. Her tears running down her face.

“ Baby she didn't leave you. She loves you too much to ever leave you.

I know that for a fact. Besides she might just be having car trouble, or her phone might have died.

Don't worry. I will find her. ” I hope. By the time, I reach the driver's seat, he quiet tears have turned into full-fledged sobs.

“Shh, baby. Everything is going to be okay.” I know this is bringing up memories of when her mother left her. I try to reassure her.

Once Victoria is semi-settled and in her booster seat, I drive her out to Gage’s house.

On the way, I call Gage to let him know what's going on. He answers on the first ring, but I hear a woman giggling.

“Gage, it’s Donnie. Are you home?”

“Yes, I am brother. What’s up?”

“Verity never picked V up. I gotta find her. I am not sure what to think about that at this point.”

“Her stalker?” He asks.

“Who else could it be?” I feel sick just thinking about the sick fuck who has been tormenting my girl for so long.

“You bringing V by here?” He asks.

“Yes, is that okay?”

“Of course. Lorelai is here as well.”

“Perfect. I’m here.” I say, watching them come out the front door as I pull to a stop in the driveway.

I disconnect the call. “Daddy, you gots to bring her home. When you do, tell her I love her.”

“I will baby. Be good for your uncle.” I say.

“I will.”

She hops out of the truck and closes the door. She rushes into Gage’s arms.

I take off not sure where I am going. Eventually, heading to the college, I park in front of the library.

I will be fine since I am in the squad SUV that denotes that I am the chief.

Inside the library, I don’t see her anywhere.

Back in the parking lot, I find her Escalade.

It confuses me more than anything. I can see her stuff sitting in the driver's seat, keys included.

Using my key, I open the door. Inside, I find her books, her engagement ring, and a typed letter to me.

Donnie,

I am sorry, but I can’t marry you. I can’t, knowing I love another man. Tell Jennifer I am sorry.

Love, Your Verity

I immediately realize this was written under duress.

Several things stand out. The first thing is addressing me as Donnie.

She always calls me D. I also wouldn't tell Jennifer shit.

And Verity. She knows she is my Sunshine or my Kitten.

I wonder if she is leaving me clues or at the very least telling me she is okay.

Sweat drips down my neck. It feels cloying as I lock her car back up.

When I get back to my truck, I try to piece a timeline together.

V needed to be picked up at three, so she would have left no later than two forty-five.

Glancing at my watch, I see that it is after six. I call Zane at the sheriff's office.

“Hello?” He says answering immediately.

“Zane. She has been taken.”

“Whoa. Chief slow down. Start from the beginning,”

I relay the story, including the note.

“And this would be out of character for her?” He asks as soon as I am done. I clench my fists. I know he is just doing his job but questioning me isn't going to help find her.

“Yes, it is. She would never leave V by herself.” I say trying to keep my voice even. She would never leave me either. I keep that to myself.

“Even though it hasn’t been forty-eight hours yet, I will get the ball rolling on the missing person report. Do you have any idea who could have taken her?” He asks.

“I have no idea,” I say. But when I do know, I don’t know what I will do to the person.

“She told me about a creepy guy from her class, but I don’t have enough to arrest him. I can question him though.”

“Who is it?”

“Kyle Dennings.”

“I want to be there when you question him.” My rage is overwhelming me right now as I grip the steering wheel.

“I don’t think that is a good idea.” Zane hedges.

“I won’t do anything. I will watch through the two-way mirror.”

“Don’t make me regret this Donnie.” He says.

I speed from the ranch back into town. By the time I get there, Zane has rounded up this Kyle Dennings person.

“How do you know Ms. King?” Zane asks.

“She is in my Economics of Fashion class.” Kyle answers. He looks squirrely. That could just be me thinking that, of course .

“According to several of the members of your study group, you blew up about the news of her recent engagement.”

“How do you know that?”

“We have had a report of the incident.” I look over at Deputy Carnes. He was the undersheriff of Timothy Sunderland. He is the dick who is now married to Jennifer.

“Mrs. Jankowski, the librarian, told me when I canvased the scene. He started screaming at her.”

“The fuck?” I ask.

“He looks good for it.”

“Then where the fuck is she?” I ask him.

Zane continues his line of questioning but ultimately lets him go. His solid alibi of volunteering at the nursing home was all caught on camera. For being an unhinged fucker, he sure is good with older people.

I leave the station, but I don’t go home. I can’t. The memories are going to kill me. Her tinkling little laugh fills all the rooms, not to mention her perfume. Everywhere I fucked her tight little body.

◆◆◆

Two of the longest days of my life passed slowly.

I’ve slept in my office at the fire station because I couldn’t face Victoria without Verity. She has been with Gage the entire time, but I’ve Facetimed her several times. I left the police scanner on, so I could have heard any updates. There were none.

At midnight, I was driving around town, looking for something. Anything.

I can almost swear that a voice is speaking to me. A divine voice. Telling me to pay attention. The radio in my truck makes the all alert tone. My sense of dread returns with vengeance .

“Fire at an abandoned warehouse. 1236 Fallon Industrial Blvd. All Units Respond.”

I listen in as my guys respond with their call signs.

“1110 responding. On Route.” I say into the radio and fire up the lights. I know she is there. I have to get to her.

Pulling up to the sight, I see that the fire is contained to the second floor for now.

I grab my mask and run into the building.

I can hear shouting coming from a room above me.

The fire is a far enough away that I am unhindered by any debris.

I burst into the room. I see my everything unconscious, tied to a chair that has been set on its side.

Her face is already showing bruises. Before I can reach the screaming man, the flaming roof falls on him crushing him to the floor.

I react, pulling my knife from my pocket, slicing her binds.

Lifting her into my arms and sprinting out of the building.

The rest of the scene is a blur but ask me if I care that I left that man behind to die.

Once at the hospital, she still hasn't gained consciousness. Ryder and Suzi come up to check on her as well. Matt comes in to give an update.

“Chief. There is no swelling on her brain. She will wake up when the GHB wears off.”

That motherfucker gave my girl a date rape drug, good riddance. If he wasn't already dead, I’d kill him. I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Doc,” I say, shaking his hand.

“Oh, and don't worry your baby is fine as well.”

“Good, thanks.” Wait. What?