Page 176 of Cold As Ice

She was with him?

He’dtakenher,

What the fuck had happened here?

“Can you get us a photograph?” the officer asked me.

“No.” I ran a hand over my jaw, trying to think.

“Any ideas where he might be taking her?” someone asked, and Kingsley snagged my attention. And my heart plummeted into my toes at the sheer horror in his eyes.

“Imogen,” I blurted. “He’s going after their daughter.”

“Okay, where is she right now?”

“At Madison’s apartment. Her parents are babysitting.”

Imogen had wanted to be there in the morning to see me and refused to stay over at her grandparents, much to Mrs. Reynolds’ annoyance.

“Address?”

Their voices became white noise as blood roared in my ears. I didn’t even realize I’d started moving away from them until a hand grabbed me.

“Do you know what you’re doing, boy?” Kingsley asked.

“Not really. But I love her. I’m in love with her.”

“Go.” He nodded once. “I’ll make sure someone is right behind you.”

I got the fuck out of there before anyone could stop me and started running like my life depended on it.

* * *

Police sirens wailed in the distance as I reached Madison’s building and yanked the door open. I had no plan other than to get to my girls.

Taking two steps at a time, I darted up the stairs and down the hall, only slowing when I heard raised voices.

“She is my fucking daughter. You think I won’t do it,” Warren yelled as I moved closer to the door which had been left ajar.

Thank fuck.

“You think I won’t punish you all for keeping her from me.”

“No one is keeping her from you.” Madison said calmly but I heard the slight hitch in her voice. The fear. “But this isn’t the way, Warren. You’re scaring her. You’re—”

“Mommy makes him stop. Makes him—”

“Shut up,” he snapped. “Just shut the fuck up.”

“Warren, son. Think about this.”

“Mommy, Mommy, I don’t wants to go with him.” Imogen sobbed. “He’s not my daddy. He’s not—”

It was the pure fear and desperation in Imogen’s voice that kicked me into action. I slipped my hand around the edge of the door and worked it open as quietly as possible.

Not quietly enough though because Imogen saw me down the hall and shrieked, “Austins, Austins is here.”

Warren swung around and his momentum gave Imogen enough leverage to wriggle out of his hold. She crashed to the floor with a pained cry, and I swooped in to grab her.

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