“Esme,” I say, uttering her name out loud for the first time in weeks. Months, even.
I pick up my phone and call Stefan. He’s my tracker. If I need something found, he will find it, no matter where it’s hidden.
“Yes, boss?” he answers on the second ring.
“Remember the license plate number I gave you a few days ago?” I ask.
“Yes, sir.”
“Did you locate the car?”
“Of course, boss,” he replies. “But you told me you didn’t want to pursue that lead.”
“I’ve changed my mind,” I tell him. “Send me the location where the car was found.”
“Yes, sir.”
I hang up and head out of my office. Adrik and Maxim are in the main common area with some of the other boys. I signal the two of them over and they converge around me instantly.
“I’ll expect daily reports from both of you,” I tell him. “Mornings and nights.”
“You going somewhere, boss?” Maxim asks in concern.
I hesitate for a second, realizing that this is it.
This was when I make the choice once and for all.
“I hope you get what you want.”
“Yeah,” I nod. “I’m going somewhere. And I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
Maxim and Adrik exchange a glance. I can see the reservation in their eyes, but I’ve made the decision now.
And I can feel it in my gut—it’s the right fucking decision.
“Keep me updated,” I say again. “Got it?”
“Got it, boss,” Adrik affirms.
Then I turn and head up to my room to pack.
“I hope you get what you want.”
What I want means nothing without Esme.
Without my child.
And it’s about fucking time I get them back.