Page 26 of Hot Lovin'

Be careful. I need my sheriff in one piece.

His response is immediate: a single emoji, the shield. It’s so like him. No words, just the symbol of protection. It’s reassuring and maddening. I want to be there, to help, to do more than sit and wait. But I have to trust him. Trust that he’ll keep his promise and bring Aiden back safe.

“Everything okay?” Miller asks, eyeing me with concern.

“Quinn’s moving in,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “It’s showtime, I guess.”

“Then we wait,” he says, glancing at the other officers in the room. “And hope for the best.”

“Hope,” I repeat, clinging to the word like a lifeline.

We fall into silence, each lost in our thoughts. The tension in the air is palpable, a current of shared fear and determination. I close my eyes, picturing Aiden’s small, frightened face, and make a silent vow. To fight for him, for all the children like him, no matter how dark it gets.

“Come on, Quinn,” I whisper to the empty space. “Bring our boy home.”

Chapter 11

Aiden

I wake up and it’s dark. I wanna hide under the blankets, but I don’t have my soft blankie that Lottie gave me. And I don’t have Mr. Bear. My heart thumps real fast, and my bottom lip wobbles as I try not to cry.

I’m in a cabin, hidden in a closet that smells like old wood and something bad. I miss Quinn and Lollie so much. I squeeze my eyes shut and try to pretend I’m back with them.

A whimper breaks free, and a few seconds later, the door is yanked open. I see them—Mike and Alicia. Sometimes, they let me call them Mommy and Daddy, but only if no one else is around. They say they love me, but Quinn and Lollie said mommies and daddies are supposed to keep you safe, and Mike and Alicia never did. They took me from school, and they hurt a policeman. They took me from Quinn and Lollie. I wanna go back. I want to be with Lollie, who always smiles and reads me stories, and Quinn who makes me feel safe with his big hugs. I didn’t know I would like hugs so much until I met Lollie and Quinn.

“Stay quiet, Aiden,” Mike says, his voice like a growl.

I nod, scared to talk. I don’t want him to get mad. He always gets mad. I hug my knees tight, wishing Quinn was here. Quinn would make everything better. He always does. He promises me nothing will hurt me anymore.

I hear a noise outside, and my heart jumps. Quinn and Lollie! They’ve come for me. I just know it.

But then, Mike looks out the window and frowns. “Stay down,” he hisses.

I think of what Quinn tells me and try to be brave.

You’re strong, Aiden. Stronger than you know.

But right now, I don’t feel strong. I feel tiny and scared. I want Quinn, who lifts me up high. He’s the strongest person I know. I want Lottie’s warm hugs and her smell that’s like flowers.

Mike and Alicia never hug me. They don’t smell like flowers. They smell like smoke and something sour.

Alicia comes over and hands me a piece of bread. It’s stale and dry, but I’m hungry, so I eat it. She’s pretty on the outside, but she’s not a good mommy. She doesn’t look at me, doesn’t say anything. Just walks away. I miss Lollie’s mac and cheese and how she always makes sure I have enough. I miss Quinn helping me with my jigsaw puzzles.

I hear another noise. Voices this time. My heart jumps again.

Please be Quinn. Please be Quinn.

Mike peers out the window, and his face twists with anger. “Don’t even think about it, Aiden,” he says, and his eyes are scary as he glares at me.

I know that look. I know I have to stay quiet. I don’t want him to hurt me again.

Mike stalks toward me, and I cringe, waiting for him to hit me. But he slams the door closed instead, enclosing me in darkness again.

I curl up on the cold floor, hugging my knees tight. I think about Mr. Bear, his soft fur, and how he smells of home. He keeps me safe, like Quinn and Lollie. Quinn is the sheriff. He’s my hero because he takes care of everyone. Lollie is my foster mommy. Her hugs are warm and make me feel loved. I hope they come for me soon.

I want to go home.

Chapter 12

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