Page 55 of Wine, Whiskey, & Lipstick 2

There. Is. No. Way!

Dillyn was stunned. She would never have expected to hear that phrase from Syntax. Her mind was moving around like a whirlwind. Her thoughts were everywhere at the same time. It took a second before her mind slowed down enough to string together a coherent thought. When she finally spoke, Dillyn could only utter a single word, “When?” Surprisingly, she sounded much calmer than she felt.

“They were paroled two weeks ago.” Syntax tried to keep the sound of worry out of his voice. He wasn’t successful.

Dillyn was sick. Suddenly, it was difficult to breathe as she clutched her chest. Her breaths came out in short, choppy bursts, and she broke into a cold sweat. She was light-headed and gripped her cell phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

“Breathe, Dillyn. Breathe through it.” Syntax tried to coax her through this round of panic. He’d always known that she periodically had them.

Ben had had enough. Angrily, he reached for the phone, but Dillyn raised his hand and mouthed, “I’m okay.”

Ben backed off somewhat.

Dillyn struggled to calm down, but she closed her eyes and began to take several deep breaths. Slowly, she inhaled, allowing her lungs to fill with air before releasing it. It took a few times, but she eventually got it together.I thought I had more time.

“Dillyn?” Gently, Syntax prompted.

Dillyn closed her eyes and pressed a hand to her chest. The pain was so intense she thought she might be having a heart attack.

“Give me the phone!” Ben attempted again to take it, but Dillyn waved him away. Her voice was strained, “Ben, please . . .” She pleaded. “I’m okay! I’ve got it.”

She wasn’t okay.

Like in years past, when Dillyn was dealing with trauma, she switched into survival mode and was now moving on autopilot. Slowly, she sat up straight while her eyes begged Ben to let her handle this.

Ben felt helpless. He didn’t know what to do, but sitting idly by was not the answer.

“How were they granted parole?” Dillyn asked Syntax. “Why wasn’t I informed?”

Syntax was surprised to hear Ben’s voice in the background. “Ben is there with you?”

“Yes.” Dillyn had never broken protocol. That was a big deal and one he would address later. Dillyn glanced around the room as if looking for her parents. Her cool exterior exploded, “What do you mean you don’t know why I wasn’t informed? You know everything! Why didn’t you know this?Where are they?”

There was another long pause.

Almost hysterical, Dillyn asked again. “Where are they?!”

Syntax remained calm. One of them had to be, “I don’t know. They’re off-grid, but I’m using every resource I have to find them.”

This can’t be happening. This cannot be happening.Dillyn couldn’t sit still any longer. She shot up and began pacing.

I’m an adult woman. They can’t hurt me.

She stopped in mid-stride as a thought occurred. “My parents are literal nobodies. NOBODIES! Not only did they have sex trafficking on their resume, but they also had murder. How in the hell were they granted parole?” Frustrated beyond belief, Dillyn ran a shaky hand down her face.

“I promise, I’m looking into it.”

It was one of the few times Dillyn found Syntax to be clueless. He didn’t have the answers. “You know what I’m getting at, and you can’t tell me the thought hasn’t occurred to you. And, if it hasn’t, I’d say you’re losing your touch, and we both know better.”

Syntax sighed, “Your parents would have to be completely crazy to come sniffing around you.”

Dillyn pressed her hand against her forehead, “That’s not what I mean, and you know it! This is mylife!” Ben, his family, Cat, and Palmer flashed before her eyes. “These are the lives of my friends.” Her voice cracked. “I can’t let anything happen to them.”

“You must calm down. You’re pregnant. Don’t allow yourself to get worked up over this. I don’t know where your parents are, but that’s temporary. Now, take a deep breath, calm your nerves, and focus on having a healthy baby. Anything else is not productive. Let me handle this.”

“Are you kidding?” Dillyn glanced heavenward as her eyes filled with tears. “By the grace of God, Selah was rescued, but we don’t know who was behind it. Steven was murdered, and we still don’t know by who or why. Now you tell me my parents are out of prison. Do you realize I’m the common denominator in all of this? How am I not supposed to worry about my friends or me?”

Ben had heard enough. “Give me theGODDAMMEDphone!” This time, he refused to take no for an answer.

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