Page 106 of Stay With Me
“It’s okay if you aren’t, but I’m going to need you to tell me everything. I just have to call for help first, okay?”
“Sir, are you and your daughter okay? I have the sheriff on the phone,” someone says from behind me.
I turn to them. “We’re okay. I’m a sheriff from Griffin’s Den. I’m also calling my boss to let him know. Thank you.”
I pick Jess back up and walk toward the truck, dialing Mike.
“Luna is gone,” I say before he can even say hello. “She ran out to the truck to get something, and she’s gone. They opened fire at Jess and me as they pulled away. We’re going to need to call in the cavalry.”
“I know I don’t have to tell you, but don’t touch anything. Wait by the front door and tell me where you’re at. I’m calling everyone, including Special Agent Hunt,” he says as my phone vibrates.
“Hold on. I’m getting a text.” I pull my phone from my ear and see that Hunt has already messaged me.
Hunt: The Family has been spotted a town over. We’re on our way already to check it out.
Me: They have Luna.Meet at the station when you get in
“Hunt just messaged me and said they got a tip that The Family was spotted a town over… We’re in the next town over at Biggies. Jess keeps saying it’s her fault, but I only want her to have to tell the story once. She’s upset, and I want to make sure the people she tells is a small group so she feels safe.”
“I’m on my way. I have the county forensic team meeting me there. Technically, this one isn’t ours, but I’ll do the coordinating with everyone. Alerts are going out on our radios about what’s happening.”
I blow out a breath as I turn and head back toward the front door. As much as I would like to take point on this, I know I can’t. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. We take care of our own. I’m on my way now. I’ll be there in fifteen with lights and sirens,” he says as I hear him start his car.
“We’ll be here.”
I hang up, and Jess taps my shoulder. I turn to look at her, raking my eyes over her, as much as I can while she is in my arms, to make sure she really isn’t hurt.
“I’m really sorry. I thought I had to,” she says on a hiccup.
I hug her. “It’ll be okay. We’ll figure it out and get your sister back.”
“Am I going to get in trouble? Do you think Luna is going to hate me?”
I shake my head. “Luna won’t be mad. Just like I’m not. I’m just worried, and we both love you. You aren’t in trouble, but youhave to tell me and the other officers everything when we ask, okay?”
She nods. “I love you guys too. I was just afraid.”
“I know, squirt. We’ll figure it out, I promise.”
And I hope with everything I am that I can keep that promise.
FORTY-EIGHT
Luna
Theheathitsmeas soon as I walk out of the store. After the last few days, I’m glad for a day off, even if it’ll be full of errands. I scan the parking lot and am thankful there aren’t a lot of people out and about today.
After Joe called the sheriff when they found evidence that the squatters used one of the old buildings, Joe didn’t want me going to any of the farther-away cabins by myself.
Thankfully, the construction team finished one of the cabins early, and we were able to move some reservations from the farther cabins so I could still stay on some sort of schedule without having to wait for someone to go with me.
An older van is parked really close to the passenger side of the truck.
Hopefully they’re gone before we leave. Packing up will be a pain.
Walking up to Noah’s truck, I unlock it and shimmy between the van next to us and my door. Opening the door, I lean over and grab my ChapStick before reaching into the back for Jess’s purse.
