It could be fake. I could be left to look like a fool, and I’d have no one to blame but myself. Oh, and my brother and mother for making me marry her in the first place.
Jesus.
“We have to do something about this.” I shove my phone in my pocket and thrust both of my hands in my hair, pulling it away from my face. “I can’t just stand here and wait for something to happen. We need to find her.”
“I’ve called Bryant,” Mother says, her voice calm.
“What?” I drop my hands. “What did you say to him? Ask him if he happens to know where my wife is?”
“Essentially.” She shrugs. “He denied knowing anything about Charlotte. But I can sense when he’s lying. I believe he’s involved.”
“I don’t know—”
“Winston.” He shuts up when she interrupts him. “They’re involved.”
“Are we really going to waste time arguing who’s involved in this, or are we actually going to do something about it?” Keaton asks from where he’s still sitting on the couch. “Let’s go find your wife, Bro.”
If I could hug my little brother for his sudden mood change, I so would. “I’m going to call her brothers.”
Winston makes a face. “I don’t know—”
“Grant Lancaster is very powerful.” Mom nods. “I think that’s a smart idea.”
“I don’t have his number.” I dial our apartment house phone and Jasper answers on the first ring, sounding distraught. “I need Grant’s phone number.”
“Have you found her?” Jasper asks, sounding anxious.
The old man is terrified. He loves Charlotte and feels guilty over what happened, though I don’t blame him for it. How could I? He’s watched over her practically her entire life.
“No, not yet,” I bite out, hating the dread that consumes me. The more time that passes, the harder it will be to locate her. Every minute that ticks by is precious. “But I’m hoping Grant can help.”
“I’m sure he will. He and Charlotte aren’t particularly close, but he has many resources,” Jasper says. “Do you have a pen?”
“Write this number down for me,” I command Keaton, who opens up his notes app. “Give it to me, J.”
Jasper rattles off the number and I repeat it to Keaton, who gives me a thumbs-up when he’s done. “Thanks. I’ll call you if I need anything else.”
“Of course, sir. Please do keep me posted. I’m worried.” He hesitates and I swear he swallowed back a sob. “I feel responsible.”
“It’s not your fault,” I reassure him yet again. “She was going to see him whether you tried to stop her or not. She’s stubborn.”
“That she is, sir. You know, you could call her younger brother as well. Crew. He’s very close to Charlotte.”
“Isn’t he away at school?”
“Yes. But perhaps he could give some insight.”
I doubt that. The poor kid is in high school. What’s he going to know about Charlotte? And why worry him? I don’t want to bring her parents into this either. Her mom will freak and dear old Dad won’t give a shit. I’d rather deal with the ruthless Lancasters. The ones who know how to be quiet. The ones who can get the job done.
Like her older brothers.
Chapter Three
Charlotte
Somehow I fallasleep again, slumped against the wall, my hands and ankles still bound. When I wake up, my mouth is dry and my stomach cramps. I’m hungry.
Oh, and I need to pee.