12
Damon
Before opening thedoor, I pray it’s Emily, let down when it’s only Aiden standing on the other side.
“You about to hit me?” He flinches.
“Sorry, it’s not a good time. I wasn’t expecting you.” I open the door wider for him to come inside. “We’re kinda in a crisis here. What do you need?”
“Wanted to check in on you guys.” Aiden says, putting his hands up. “Jeez. Is that okay?” His eyes shift over to Tessa. “Nice to meet you. You must be the famous Tessa my brother raves about.”
He sits on the chair and I join her back on the couch.
“Liam called and told me what’s going on, since you didn’t bother to. I was worried about you guys.”
“It’s been a long night, and it’s going to be an even longer day. Don’t have time for sarcasm right now.”
He nods, mutely apologizing. “Do they have any news at all?”
Tessa shakes her head, and I can see her eyes starting to water.
“Well, if you have a picture, I’d like to help. Go around to the local places and see if anyone has seen her. You never know, worth a shot at least.”
I’m surprised at my brother’s offer.
I motion for Aiden to follow me into the dining room where I explain the scope of what is going on away from her. We are both too close to the situation, but she is more than I.
“We’ll find her and bring her home. Too many people out looking for her right now. I just wanna help however I can.”
Maybe my little brother is finally growing up a bit, and that makes me proud. A couple years ago, I wasn’t sure he’d grow up at all.
“I’ll take this photo and show it around. See if I can get anything. I’ll call the police first if I find anything and then you.”
Aiden heads out to search for Emily while we stay at the house. She might come back here if she’s still in town and can get away from her dad. It’s worth a shot to stay here just in case.
I try to keep Tessa calm for the next few hours, but it’s hard. Each passing hour means Emily is possibly farther away, and that scares both of us. She won’t eat and won’t sleep. All she does is constantly check her phone to see if she has any messages.
My phone rings, and Tessa picks hers up fast. “It’s mine,” I tell her, seeing Aiden’s name scrolling across my screen. “Hello?”
“So I already called PD, but the gas station on fifth said that she and a male came in around midnight last night. Got snacks and gas.”
Damn it. He’s planning on taking her somewhere outside of Grapevine, which isn’t good news. Tessa is going to freak out. “Okay, thanks for calling.”
“Who was it? Did they find her? Is she okay?”
She is frantic, and taking my time to tell her probably doesn't help the situation. I take her hands in mine and say, “She was seen at a gas station last night with him. Buying gas and snacks.” As much as I want to lie to her, I can’t. But I want to remain hopeful that they will get her back.
“That asshole’s running away with my daughter. Who the hell does he think he is? I just...”
Another phone call comes in, but this time on hers. She answers the phone, and a look of relief comes across her face. Is it good news?
“Okay. And... should I... Thank you.”
She doesn’t turn to look at me, just stays frozen in place for a few minutes. “They found her at his place. Alone. Bastard left her alone while he went to work like he hadn’t done a damn thing wrong.”
She’s safe!Relief washes over both of us knowing she’s going to be home soon and in our arms. These last thirty-six hours have been excruciating and I never want to experience this again.
“The police have her and will be dropping her off to us.”