Page 5 of King

Kristen shifted uncomfortably, her fingers twisting together. “I don’t really know. He didn’t say, and I didn’t ask.” She gave a slight shrug. “I just figured he meant himself. Like, he felt likehewas being watched.”

King’s eyes narrowed. “Did he mention anything specific about what his dad was involved in? Any details about who these people might be?”

Kristen shook her head, her expression clouded with worry. “No, he wouldn’t tell me much more just that something felt off. He said his dad was staying out all night, losing jobs left and right. A few weeks ago, their electricity got shut off. Joey said it was backon the next day, but when he asked about it, his dad just told him not to worry, that it was taken care of.”

Jake muttered a curse, dragging a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every movement. King remained silent for a moment, the tension coiling in his chest. His expression darkened, the resolve in his eyes growing colder, sharper.

“Kristen,” King said, his tone gentler now, though no less serious, “if you rememberanythingelse, no matter how small you need to tell us. Anything strange. Anyone new hanging around Joey or his dad that you remember from conversations you’ve had with Joey.”

She nodded quickly, her gaze steady on his. “I’ll think. If I come up with anything, I’ll tell Jessie so she can call you.” She hesitated, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. “Do you think something bad has happened to him?”

Jessie offered a calm, reassuring smile before King could speak. “I’m sure he’s fine, Kristen. Joey’s smart and resourceful.”

King appreciated Jessie’s response because he wasn’t sure it was fine and didn’t want to worry the girl. The pieces Kristen had just given them painted a far more troubling picture.

A new thought struck him. He held up a hand to stop Kristen as she turned to leave. “One more thing. Have you been to his house recently?”

Kristen bit her lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I was giving him rides to school and here for practice,” she said quietly. “But about a week ago, he told me to stay away from his house. He said he didn’t want me getting involved and that he’d find his own way.”

The weight of her words settled heavily between them, thickening the air with dread. Jake’s jaw tightened, and King’s heart sank a little deeper. Whatever Joey was caught up in, it was far worse than they had feared.

King watched as Kristen returned to the other students, her shoulders slumped. One of the girls put her arm around her and hugged her.

“It’s not good, is it?” Jessie’s voice broke, a sob trembling in her words as she fought to keep her composure in front of the kids.

Jake wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into an embrace. He glanced at King over her head, his eyes hard with determination. “We’ll find him,” he said softly but firmly. “I’m calling Blaze. I don’t want you going anywhere alone until we know more. I’m going to head to Joey’s house. Do not leave here without Blaze, and make sure the kids have parents picking them up or if they drove to leave in pairs.”

Jessie nodded against his chest before stepping back. She cast a worried glance at the students, their eyes filled with curiosity and concern, then looked back at Jake and King. “Please, tell me the moment you learn anything. Don’t keep me in the dark.”

“We won’t,” King assured her, though his mind was racing. Questions churned as he scanned the studio again. His eyes swept over the students, the posters on the walls, and the doors leading to other rooms, looking for anything that might point to where Joey had gone or why he hadn’t reached out.

It was true that Joey was intelligent and resourceful. He had built solid connections with him, Jake, and others. Joey knew they’d move heaven and earth for him, so why hadn’t he sounded the alarm? Talk to at least one of them.

He voiced the question aloud. “Why didn’t he let one of us know he was in trouble?”

Jessie’s answer came quickly, the pain in her eyes cutting deeper than her words. “Because he loves his dad. No matter what Lee’s flaws are, Joey is loyal. If Lee was doing something he shouldn’t, Joey wouldn’t have wanted to risk getting him in trouble. He would try to handle it on his own.”

Jake frowned. “What makes you so sure Lee was involved in something shady?”

Jessie sighed, crossing her arms tightly across her chest as though bracing herself. “Just a feeling. Joey told me a lot about their life after his mom left. Lee spiraled and started drinking, doing drugs, and gambling. He owed people money. But then he started his business, and somehow, he managed to pay off all his debts. Joey said things were better, not perfect, but better. Lee was still drinking, but not like before.”

King nodded slowly, understanding Joey’s fierce loyalty despite his father’s shortcomings. It made sense. The kid had a heart too big for his own good. Even if Lee had been a mess, he was stillhisdad. That was Joey in a nutshell. He was fiercely protective, loyal to a fault, and always willing to carry more than he should.

“Sometimes love makes you blind,” King murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

Jake’s jaw clenched as his mind worked through the pieces. “Something made Joey think Lee was in trouble.” He shook his head. “We need to find out what that something is.”

King’s eyes darkened as he pulled out his phone. “I’ll get Butch digging to see if he can find anything out. We’ll figure out who he’s tangled up with.”

“Please be careful,” Jessie called out after them.

“This isn’t good.” Jake voiced as soon as they were out of earshot of Jessie.

“No, it’s not.” King agreed with a curse. He swore if anyone hurt this kid, there would be hell to pay.

CHAPTER 3

Jake and King arrived at Joey’s house. The street was eerily silent. The house stood dark and lifeless, its front porch light flickering as if on its last breath. King scanned the windows for any movement, but the curtains hung still like the heavy air around them.

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