Page 57 of Mine to Love
“I didn’t say that, Miles, and don’t give me that sourpuss face. I hate it.” His mom glared. “We questioned Charlie and he acted as if Gabriel being missing was brand-new information. Do I personally believe him? No. I don’t. I think he’s lying through his fucking teeth. But I have no evidence to go on. I’ve got no probable cause to do anything. Following him would be harassment, which is why Rhett’s on that. Once he gives me something that I can legally move on, I will. Outside of that, everyone is turning this town upside down looking for Gabriel.”
“But you believe the same thing that I do.” Miles sighed.
“The only thing that makes sense is that Charlie has him in that big house of his.” His mom cocked a brow. “Why else wouldn’t he invite me in? Hell, he wouldn’t even let me have a glass of water when I asked. He gave me some bullshit excuse that he had a showing he needed to get to.”
“And did he leave the same time as you?” Miles asked.
“Oh, he did.” His mother laughed, shaking her head. “But according to Rhett, he didn’t go to any showing. He went and picked up a to-go order from the café. Two cheeseburgers and two fries.” She waggled her finger. “You know as well as I do that’s not enough for me to go asking for a search warrant or goback and bang on his door right away. I will, in an hour or so, under the pretense of doing another sweep.”
“That’s just fucking weird he’d pick up food. For two. And not immediately go looking for Gabriel, someone he claims to care so much about.” Miles glanced toward the house. “He did text Liberty telling her he was doing all that he could, but it’s bullshit. I’ve asked Dad to look over all the banking documents after Liberty has read them. That might give you what you need as far as a search warrant, or even an arrest warrant.”
Movement near the thick brush in the backyards caught Miles’ attention. Whatever it was, it was large enough to stir the bushes, making them rustle and snap.
And then Gabriel appeared in the clearing.
Still in his pajamas.
Still barefoot.
“Miles!” Gabriel flapped his arms wide as he raced between the houses, his body covered in dirt and mud.
“I’ll go get Liberty,” his mother whispered.
Gabriel flung himself at Miles like a toddler.
Miles widened his stance, digging his heels into the ground as he braced for impact. “I got you, buddy.” He wrapped his arms around Gabriel.
“I walked the whole way.” Gabriel sniffled, nuzzling his face into Miles’ neck, holding on to him with brute force. “I snuck out when he wasn’t looking, and then I walked along the beach, staying in the bushes for as long as I could until I got to town.”
“That was real smart.” A million things went through Miles’ mind, but it was more important to make Gabriel feel safe and loved than to bombard him with a million questions about what happened. But he did need to know a few things.
Miles guided Gabriel toward the front porch. “I know you’ve been through a lot today and are just glad to be home, but I have to know. Did Charlie hurt you in anyway?”
“No,” Gabriel said with a strong voice.
“Oh my God. Gabriel. Are you okay?” Liberty came rushing through the door.
Gabriel hugged his sister and burst out crying like a little baby.
Both brother and sister crumpled to the floor, where Liberty cradled her brother’s head in her lap, stroking her fingers through his hair and kissing his temple while the man sobbed.
And sobbed.
“He should be checked out by a doctor,” Miles’ mother whispered.
“It might be a little too much to take him anywhere right now and he says he wasn’t hurt,” Miles said.
“What if we called Jameson and he and a paramedic come over?” his mother asked. “Just to be on the safe side.”
Miles glanced at Liberty.
She nodded.
“It’s okay. It’s all going to be okay,” Liberty said softly.
Miles wiped the tear that escaped his eye. He leaned against the railing and glanced between Liberty and his mother.
“I know you don’t want me to do this now, but I need some answers before I go after Charlie,” his mom said.
