Page 125 of Riot

“You don’t have to thank me, I’m just glad I got you back and that you’re okay. Even though I know you won’t really be okay until we find him.”

“I love him, Dad.”

He curls an arm around my shoulders as Cookie hovers at my feet, nervously looking up at me. I smile down at him, letting him know it’s okay. He seems to sense who he has to growl at and who he doesn’t. My mom is still on the outs with Cookie and that almost makes me laugh.

“I know, that’s why you need to save those tears for when we find Myles. He’d want you to be strong.” Dad knows nothingabout my man, yet he says these words of comfort because he knows that I need to hear them. In some weird, roundabout way, maybe this all had to happen. Not the part where Riot got kidnapped, but the part where I came home.

We move toward the door and Dad hands me a tissue.

I see Star and my mom, followed by an array of MC cuts behind her, Nevada right by her side.

“Halo!” She’s happy to see me, but I also see the furrowed brow as she rushes toward me, sweeping me into a big hug. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I nod. “I’m fine. I just feel so helpless.”

She stands back from me, looking at me from arm’s length. Her eyes dart to my dad and they acknowledge one another. My parents have always liked Star, more so my dad because Mom thought she was too mouthy, but Dad has spoken and Mom needs to tow the line with the people in my life. Dad’s always had a soft spot for Star because she speaks her mind.

“Star?”

She takes a breath. “Where’s Antoine?”

I frown. “I’ve no idea?—”

“I left him a message,” Dad says. “He didn’t pick up.”

Her eyes dart back to me. “Does he own a dodge?”

“Uh, no. He’s a suit, he owns a sports car. Why?”

Her eyes meet my dad’s again. “What’s this about?” Dad’s so authoritative, but I know that Star will appreciate it. She’s still sour on both my parents after how I was treated, and I can sense how hard this is for her.

“They saw a van on the security footage; a dodge,” she says.

“The security footage of where?” I stammer, not wanting to hear the answer.

A heavy silence hangs between us as the men still file in. One of their own is missing and it looks like they brought the entire goddamn club.

“The security for Antoine’s place. A van pulled up with two guys in it, they exchanged words with Anton and then drove off. The same van pulled up outside the Airbnb only ten minutes later. The same guys, Hales.”

My mom’s hand flies up to her mouth and my dad just gapes at her.

I shake my head. “No, Antoine may be many things, but he’d never do this, he wouldn’t. Hecouldn’t.”

Star places her hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Hales, I really am. But it seems hecan, and hedid. We need to find him if we’re going to find Riot alive.” She looks to my dad. “Where would we find him when he’s not at home?”

I stare at her, disbelieving. Nothing in the world could’ve prepared me for that. It’s like the wind has been knocked out of my sails.

My brother? My own brother?

“I know just the place,” Dad says.

And my world tumbles just that little bit more.

25

RIOT

Cold water wakesme from my sleep.

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