Page 40 of Marked

Her head cocked. “What are you talking about?”

“You’ll see. Sit tight.”

***

Sophia’s phone vibrated in her pocket and dread knotted the muscles in her neck. Bart and Kenneth had both called her early that morning. She’d sent each of them a text letting them know she’d be in touch shortly.

A glance at the screen told her that Bart hadn’t been satisfied with that promise for long. She really didn’t want to talk to her ex-husband while in Cole’s company. Something just felt off about that. Maybe because it would make her lie that much more obvious to herself. But putting him off any longer would make him suspicious.

“Hello?”

“Dammit, I’ve been worried. Where are you?”

Sophia pushed down her annoyance. Bart was in just as much turmoil as she was, after all. “I’m sorry. I was up all night looking at security footage. I passed out early this morning, but only for a couple of hours.”

He sighed. “I’m going out of my mind, Soph. Kenneth doesn’t have any leads. I can’t just sit here while she’s—” His voice cracked.

Tears filled her eyes and pressed against her sinuses. She’d witnessed Bart cry only once in the six years they were together. “I should have called you sooner. I’m doing everything I can...”

“Tell me you’ve got something.”

Indecision gripped her. She couldn’t reveal that she’d be more helpful on her own than with the police force, but if she brought home Bella today, God willing, she needed her stories to line up. She couldn’t just materialize with her. “I might.” The word came out cautiously.

“I called a PI this morning,” Bart said. “He’s able to start immediately. I told him to get his entire team working on it ASAP. I’ll spend every cent I have to get her back.”

More emotion rushed forward. She and Bart had their differences, but he’d move heaven and earth for his daughter. For that, she’d always love him.

“Why didn’t Kenneth tell me you had a lead?” Bart asked.

Sophia channeled her fingers into her hair. This was where she had to tread carefully but still be honest. “I haven’t told him yet. Don’t say anything. I might be bending a few rules to get the information we need.”

Bart’s breath hissed out. “Good. I’ll let you know if my PI guy finds anything of help.”

They said goodbye and she hung up. She needed another cup of coffee.

“Was that your ex?” Cole’s quiet question popped through the thick bubble of her focus.

“Yeah. He’s going out of his mind. Understandably. He’s hired a PI.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know. He said he’ll have his guy call me today so we can share information.” She slid her phone back in her purse and gazed at the road. They were heading in the opposite direction of Cole’s house. “Where are we going?”

“I’m recruiting assistance. Some specialists.” He took the next exit and steered into a subdivision. Large houses with expansive green lawns lined the street.

Something ignited in her memory. “Wait a minute. I know this street. This is where your brother lives, right?”

“Mmm. Yeah, pretty sure you paid them a visit or two trying to get information on me.”

She locked her arms tightly across her chest. “Not just that. I needed to deliver information after Conrad’s arrest.”

“You also met with Camryn and Brooks, no?”

After Nash and Lexi’s child-trafficking bust and Brooks’s devastating experience being held prisoner in a lab underground, Sophia had questioned the men and their girlfriends on several occasions. But all of them had been tight-lipped when it came to Cole.

Not that she was surprised. Clearly the clan was close-knit and knew that any information on Cole could contribute to his life sentence. “It’s no secret the police are looking for you, Cole. That’s part of my job description.”

He swung his head away from the road, and fire and playfulness danced in his eyes.

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