Page 83 of Hart of Darkness
My hands went around her tiny waist, and suddenly I was at peace. Every sleepless night, every minute of scouring the streets of Boston, every fucking day since she’d left, and every emotion I’d endured all vanished.
“I’m so sorry, Grace. I’m sorry for leaving you. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you. I’m sorry that I didn’t come home sooner.”
She bawled in my arms. “I’m the one who’s sorry.”
I had so many questions, but I didn’t want to ruin the moment.
Duke’s deep and rude voice severed my bliss. “We’re both here now, Grace. So you need to tell us where you’ve been for four years.”
She tensed in my arms before she broke away from me, wiping her eyes. Fear gripped her through the sadness.
All I could think about at the moment was my old man slapping her around because she’d had that same look on her face before he unleashed his wrath on her.
Duke shoved his hands into the pockets of his black slacks. My brother was dressed as though he were going out on a date.
Shit! Maggie!I had a small window of time.
Red splotches dotted Grace’s snow-white skin. “You know, don’t you?”
I did a double take as I glanced at my brother then back at Grace. “What are you talking about?”
Duke pushed out his shoulders. “I’m clueless.”
I recalled Duke saying he didn’t know where Grace had run off to.
“Look, I need to make a phone call.” I had to tell Maggie I might be late. “Then I need answers, Grace.”
“Fuck yeah,” Duke added.
Wow!My brother and I agreed on something.
Grace hung her head. “I’ll tell you everything.”
Damn straight she would.
I strode in the direction of the porch, tapping on Maggie’s name in the favorites on my phone. The line rang until her voice mail picked up. “Maggie, call me as soon as you get this.”
Maybe she was working up until we were supposed to meet. The woman worked nonstop. I knew she was trying to crack the big story. I knew she wanted the dirt on the Black Knights.
The line to her desk rang five times before a male voice answered.
“Boston Eagle,Bruce speaking.”
“Bruce, this is Dillon Hart. We met yesterday. Is Maggie still working? I’ve tried her cell phone, but she’s not answering.”
“No. She left early to follow up on a quick lead before her date with you, and she forgot her cell phone. It’s sitting in the charger on her desk. Is everything okay?”
“Fine. Thanks, man.” I hung up.
I could call the restaurant, or I had a better idea because I wasn’t leaving Grace until I got answers, even if Grace had to chaperone my date.
I returned to my siblings, who were not speaking to one another, which was odd. Grace had run to Duke when she needed money. “I’m supposed to meet my girl for dinner in the city, but I can’t get ahold of her. She forgot her cell at work. So we’re going on a little trip.” I directed the last line at Grace. I wasn’t giving her a chance to skip out.
From the regret written all over her face, I knew she wouldn’t run.
“As much as I loathe family shit, I’ll drive,” Duke said. “I want answers too.”
We probably needed more time than the twenty- to thirty-minute car ride, but at least it was a start.
