Page 85 of Fragile Hearts

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“It’s a buddy I know from school,” Owen tells me. “His family owns a pawn shop, and he works there sometimes. We study together, so I’m guessing he recognized my laptop from that.”

Without giving it a second thought, Owen jogs out the door and catches up to the officers before they can back out of the driveway.

I don’t hear what happens, but there’s a huge possibility this could lead to the police catching her, and I feel this sudden sense of relief.

After I tell the police about the laptop and the pawn shop, I head back to the front porch where Sloane waits, Mochi in her arms.

“What did they say?” she asks.

“Said they would head over there and check things out. I told them to keep an eye out for your laptop too, just in case they were trying to pawn that as well.”

I don’t really care about the laptop, mine anyway, because it’s replaceable, just like the other things they stole. And I’m happy to buy Sloane a new one too, even though I’m pretty sure she won’t let me if she knew that’s what I was planning to do.

What I really wanted though, more than anything, was to find whoever did this and for them to be punished. Even though I knew it was a long shot, I feel like it’s the only thing that can ease Sloane’s worries and make her feel better about all of this. I know how much she struggles with strangers coming by our house, but to know someone has broken in and violated the one place she was starting to feel safe. Well, I fucking hate that.

I want her to feel safe and secure, to not be threatened by all of this. That’s the only thing I care about in all this: Sloane. And Mochi too, but Sloane one hundred percent.

And more than anything, I really, really don’t want whoever did this to be her mom.

Fuck if it is, I have no idea what that’s going to do to her.

Sloane nods, her fingers running through Mochi’s fur. “What are we going to do now?”

I blow out a breath, dropping my arm around Sloane’s shoulders and pulling her close. “I’m gonna call my dad and get this door fixed, and then I’m going to take you and this little fluffball out to get some dinner and a lot of drinks.”

“Do you...” Sloane pauses, glancing back into the house before turning back to me. “Do you think your dad is?—”

“Babe, don’t,” I say, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Please stop thinking this is your fault. Even if it does turn out to be connected to your mom, which I still don’t believe it is, it still won’t be your fault. No one is going to think that.”

Sloane nods, but I don’t think she believes me, and all I can hope is that this really isn’t her mom’s work because I get the feeling it might destroy Sloane if it is.

“Come on, let’s go get this door fixed.”

After my dad comes by with one of the maintenance guys from the hotel, they manage to repair the door and the lock so it’s safe enough for us to sleep here tonight. I also call the insurance company and file a claim for the damages and missing stuff, get the mess of our living room cleaned up and text Flynn to let him know everything that’s happened.

He and Alana offer to come over and help, but short of cleaning up the mess, there really isn’t anything for them to do.

“Okay, good to go?” I ask, pocketing my phone as I walk into the bedroom.

“You sure we should leave? What if they come back?” Sloane asks as she dries her hair.

I step toward her, my hands on her shoulders. “They aren’t coming back,” I tell her. “And even if they do, it’s just stuff, babe. The only thing I care about is right here in front of me,” I add, smiling as I lean in to kiss her.

Mochi barks at Sloane’s feet as if to remind me that he too, is part of this, and I laugh, glancing down at the little fluffball who hasn’t left Sloane’s side since we got home.

“Yeah, okay, and you too,” I tell him, smiling when he gives an excited yelp. “Come on, babe, let’s go have a drink and something to eat.”

“Okay,” she replies with a nod. Smiling, I give her one more kiss before letting her go so she can finish getting ready.

When she’s done, we attach the leash to Mochi, and I take Sloane’s hand as we head outside, walking down to the small collection of restaurants near the beach.

Just as we sit down, my phone starts to ring, an unknown number flashing on the screen.

“Hello, Owen speaking.”

“Owen, hey, it’s Officer Pearson. Just wanted to give you a heads-up on what happened when we checked out the pawn shop.”

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