When Grayson raised a brow at the nickname, I blushed but didn't say anything. I liked it, I wasn't ashamed of it. "Well, we were talking before about how Josh may have been forced to leave even though it looks like he left on his own. I wasn’t sure if anyone had told you or suggested it, but do you think we should keep that as apossibility?"
Knix scratched his jaw. "It’s a possibility," he conceded. "But for now, Texas and Grayson can assume that he left under his own ability and is not currently being held by someoneelse."
"What about Erika?" Texasasked.
"What do you mean?" Iasked.
Texas blanched as if he regretted speaking, but it was too late, so he continued. "Well, if it's possible that Josh left because he was being forced to, then it's possible they used her to force him." He slid a glance my way, and whatever he saw on my face must have told him how much that idea scared me because he turned and took my hands. "Hey, don't worry—it's just a theory. Nothing is set in stone. She could befine."
I nodded. "Yeah, you're right." I took a deep breath. Even though the mere idea of Erika being held against her will terrified me, I gave him a grateful smile and he nodded for Knix tocontinue.
"Well, as I was saying—let's just assume that they aren't being held against their will. Grayson and Texas, you're on Josh duty. Marv and Harlow—Erikaduty."
Each one of us nodded, and as the guys moved on to other topics, such as who would sleep where, I kept wondering if Erika was really out there somewhere, on her own and just fine, or if someone was holding her against her will, possibly hurtingher.