Page 37 of Bad to the Bone

“Have you seen the news?”

“No, I’ve been up to my eyeballs in bubble wrap? What happened?” I balance the cell phone between my cheek and shoulder as I unwrap yet another ceramic ornament and wonder when the hell I had the gall to buy something so hideous.

“Seems like dear old dad is having a little trouble with the feds?”

The news is unexpected but not shocking. A guy like that was bound to land in trouble. I snort derisively as I look around for a place to put the hideous sculpture.

“His wife looks like she’s in trouble too,” Shannon adds. That news shocks me, and the sound of the ceramic shattering on the floor brings me up short.

“Oh God,” I gasp.

“Are you okay? Aunt Kim?”

“I’m okay. Is...is, Zayne?...is he? I mean, do you know if…”

The words won’t come. I’m not sure what I want to ask first. Was he involved? Is he okay? I know how much he loves his mother. How is he handling it?”

“That’s the thing. He disappeared.”

“He what?!?!”

“Nobody’s seen him in two days?”

My mind races as I try to think of where he might be hiding. The harder I try the more I draw a blank.

“Are you okay? Aunt KIM!”

I look around the room, searching for some clue as to what I should do next. The mountains of unopened boxes offer me no wisdom or advise. I’m on my own.

“Are you there?” Shannon’s worried voice pulls me out of my panic.

“I’m here. You haven’t heard from him?”

“Zayne?”

“Yeah.”

“No. Not a word. I guess no news is good news at this point.”

“He’s not in custody, is he?” Chills run down my spine as I think about the image of Zayne, subdued, in handcuffs.

“No. I’ve been watching the local coverage. The FBI raided his parent’s house at like three in the morning. They picked the lock and just started collecting evidence. His dad was taken into custody. I’m not sure if his mom is still free. But he definitely wasn’t home.”

He. Wasn’t. Home. At three A.M.? I remember the gorgeous woman on his arm and my chest tightens. What did I expect?

“Well, it’s good that he wasn’t there.” My voice sounds muted even to me.

“Don’t worry Aunt Kim, I’m sure he’ll turn up.”

“Maybe.” I doubt it.

“He will. I know my brother well enough to know how much he loves you. If he has a chance to be with you, he’ll come running. He’ll at least send you a text message to let you know he’s okay.”

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

“Don’t you want to be with him?”

“Just because I want it doesn’t mean it’s a good idea,” I say, taking a deep breath to settle the torment in my heart.

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