Page 65 of Ryder

Name your price, but I want to see she’s still alive

Jimmy

you really are delusional, aren’t you?

Crystal

Not as delusional as you’re gonna be when I find you

Jimmy

Promises, promises

Crystal

You didn’t think this through, did you? Her parents would’ve paid ten time what you’re getting

The texting stops for a few moments. Maybe he’s rethinking his life choices.

“What’s he sayin’?” Jett prompts.

I look up from the phone. “Gone quiet. He’s probably realizing he fucked up.”

Then my blood curdles when he sends through a text. It’s Crystal, slumped over, blood all over her face.

Jimmy

Left her breathing, barely

Crystal

I’ll fuck you up

Jimmy

I’d like to see you try

Crystal

There’s no rock you can hide under, asshole. I’ll find you

Jimmy

She’s gonna have a real nice time being a sex slave, though I doubt it’ll teach her any manners

I curl my fist and bang it on the table. “Fucker!” I yell.

“There’s a photo,” Harlem calls out to Jett, ignoring my outburst.

“Perfect.” Jett, who’s looking a little smug, looks up at me. “Give me the phone.”

I hand it over. “Can you trace him from the texts?”

“It’ll be easier now that I have the photo. The metadata? I can use it to find the location.”

For the first time, hope blooms in my chest. “Seriously?”

“Not just a pretty face.” Jett winks.

---