Page 106 of The Way We Win

My brother stands, adjusting his belt. “I can’t cross state lines in my official capacity as sheriff. If he really did kidnap her and take her out of state, it becomes FBI business.”

“Then you’re off-duty. Take me to my house so I can change.”

The three of us head out into the night, and while Garrett drives, I text Dylan.

Our best guess is he’s taking her back to Nola. Garrett got a lead on a blue Malibu… we’ve got his last known address.

Dylan

I’ll take care of Kimmie. Y’all just bring back our Allie

I won’t come home without her.

When we get to my house, I run straight to my bedroom, stripping off the velvet coat and fancy shirt. I step out of the boots and nearly rip off the tight pants in my haste.

I grab my jeans and a long-sleeved black tee, dressing as fast as humanly possible. I step into my cowboy boots and pause, reaching up on the highest shelf in the back of my closet. I take down a black leather pouch and enter the combination on the lock. Then I take out my Colt .45, checking to be sure it’s loaded.

“I didn’t know you had a gun.” Austin is at my bedroom door, watching.

Tightening my jaw, I nod. “It’s for emergencies. Otherwise, it’s locked up and hidden.”

“Ready?” Garrett walks up, and I put the revolver in the back of my jeans.

“I’ll take my truck.” The three of us return to the living room. “It’s possible he’ll avoid the interstate if he thinks we’re looking for them.”

“You want to take Highway 26 to the causeway?” Garrett passes a hand over his chin. “That’ll add two hours to the trip.”

“You take I-10.” I look down at my phone vibrating in my hand. It’s Zane, and I quickly accept the call. “What’s up?”

His voice is low. “We found her phone in the maze.”

A chill slices through my veins, and I step back. It takes me a minute to catch my breath.

“What?” Garrett grabs my shoulder.

“Zane found her phone.” It’s a rough reply, and I clear my throat, returning to the call. “I’m putting you on speaker so Garrett can hear you. Any clues?”

“I don’t know her passcode,” Zane continues. “The only missed call is from you, and she has some text alerts from the girls—all from about the time we got separated in the maze.”

“That’s good, I guess,” Garrett says, looking up at me. “It gives us a hint of the time when she dropped it.”

Austin’s arms circle over his chest, and I hand the phone to Garrett when I see his expression crumple.

He sniffs hard, putting a hand over his eyes to hide his tears.

“Whoa, come here.” I pull him into a hug, wrapping my arms over his.

His body shudders, and my heart aches. Looking up, I fight my own tears.

I know how important it is for him to see me in control. I have to be sure we’re going to get the outcome we want, that we’re going to find her.

Garrett takes the call off speaker to finish. “We’re headed to West Riverside. I found a record on a rental car, so we have at least something to look for.”

He walks into the guest room, and Austin takes a second to get himself together. I pat his back and release him.

“I know you and Mom are together.” He looks down, wiping a hand over his nose. “I mean, it was pretty obvious tonight with the costumes and the holding hands and all.”

It’s true, and I’m done hiding. “We were planning to talk to you about it.”

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