“What? No. I can’t just sit at home.”
“Yes, you can, because if Zak gets away from Gary, for whatever reason, that’s where he’ll go. He’ll want to be with you.”
“But I—”
“It makes sense,” Jayden said. “Someone needs to be there, and if it’s you, I can coordinate.” He kissed her brow. “Go, walk with Sarah now. Keep your eyes peeled. Call me if you see anything.”
She knew he was making sense, but it would be hard to just sit and wait for something to happen.
“Cavalry’s arrived then.” Sarah nodded at the two bikers.
“Can you walk back with Tammy?” Jayden said to her.
“Of course. I’ve made calls to most of the other moms in Zak’s class, but there’s a couple whose numbers I’ve got written down in my notebook at home, so I need to call from there.”
“Sure. Good.” Jayden held out his hand. “Give me your phone, I’ll put my number in. Call me if you hear anything.”
She did as he’d asked.
Tammy walked to the school gate. Carter and Wyatt approached. Both tall and broad. Wyatt dark-haired, Carter light brown. Head to toe in leathers, Carter puffed on a roll-up.
“We’ll find him,” Wyatt said, his expression as deadly serious as she’d ever seen it.
“Sounds like this asshole is overdue a meeting with the Barbarians,” Carter said, then flicked the ash from his cigarette. “Looking forward to it, personally.”
“Zak will be so scared if Gary has gone into one of his rages.” Tammy wound her hands together. “And he will if … well, if he’s seen me with Jayden, which he probably has if he’s been hanging around and—”
“We’re not in the habit of failing,” Carter said. “You’ll get your kid back.”
“Tammy.” Sarah touched her arm. “Let’s go.”
Tammy didn’t know which way to go. She wanted to run in every direction, searching and hunting and not stopping until she found Zak.
“Be strong.” Jayden set his hand on her shoulder. “Because you are and so is the little guy.”
She managed to nod, and he kissed her brow again. “I’ll keep you updated. Keep your phone on.”
And then he was climbing on his bike. So were Carter andWyatt. The thunderous bellow of their engines at least made her feel like something was being done.
“So Mary-Lou also saw Zak going with your ex,” Sarah said, “she didn’t think he had a vehicle, said he was on foot.”
“Really?” They couldn’t have gone far. “I should tell Jayden that.”
“I just did.”
“Oh, thanks.”
They headed toward The Strand, Tammy’s attention flicking over everyone and everything. Perhaps they were on the beach, or had walked up to the diner at Shelby’s. Zak was always starving after school. Food would have been his hot topic of conversation and first request.
I have to get him back.
Wehave to get him back.
Chapter Nineteen
Tammy said goodbye to Sarah and walked the few steps to home. Sarah promised to come and sit with her as soon as she’d made the phone calls.
Stepping in through the door, Tammy turned and locked it, slid the bolt, as was her habit. Her pulse was loud in her ears, and the food she’d enjoyed with Jayden earlier swirled in her belly.