Liam grumbled something about expecting to be paid in baked goods at the end of the day. I laughed to myself as I rounded the corner and headed down the hall towards the back pantry. Pulling open the door, I hit the light and went in search of napkins, cups, and stirrers.
I was going to make Liam’s favorite chocolate potato chip cookies this afternoon. He’d earned some of his favorite treats. A whoosh of air lifted the hair at the back of my neck. I turned to see where it was coming from and was met with blinding pain at my temple. Agony, and then nothing at all.
40
Liam
The customer I was handing a plate to eyed me with confusion, likely trying to reconcile a famous musician behind the counter of a small-town tea shop. The woman shook her head, deciding that I must justlooklike Liam Fairchild, and joined her family. I could get used to this weird dose of normality. It was kind of fun.
Jensen tapped my arm with her elbow while she counted out change to hand to a customer. “Will you go see if Tessa found napkins? We’re all out up here.”
“Sure.” I ducked back into the kitchen, calling her name. “Tessa?” The kitchen was empty, so I headed for the back hall. The whole shop sort of formed one big circle and wasn’t much bigger than a two-bedroom apartment.
As I hit the back hall, my heart stopped. Beats skipped. My blood turned to ice. The back door was wide-open. Panic jolted me into action. My hand went for the gun holstered at my back hip. “Tessa!” No answer.
My blood roared in my ears.Where was she?I checked the back parking area. Nothing. I jogged back inside and made my way down the hall. The pantry door was open, the light inside still on. The roaring in my ears intensified. She was gone.
My gaze traveled over every inch of the brightly lit space and stopped at a spot on the floor.What was that?I crouched down to get a better look, wanting to touch but resisting the urge. My stomach roiled. Drops of blood.
I shot straight up, pulling my cell from my back pocket and running outside. I hit Walker’s contact. He answered on the second ring. “Hey, Liam. Everything okay?”
Everything was not fucking okay. My chest constricted as I searched for any movement in the parking lot and alley. Nothing. “Tessa’s been taken.”
“Where are you?” Walker was all efficient business now.
“At The Tea Kettle. She was getting something from the pantry and then she was just gone.” I squeezed my eyes closed against the pain, at the knowledge that I had failed Tessa. My voice got quiet, hoarse. “There are drops of blood in the pantry.”
I could hear Walker shouting something to what I assumed was another officer in the background. “I’m on my way. Tell Jensen not to let anyone leave.”
I nodded and then realized that Walker couldn’t see me. “Got it.” I tapped end on the screen and strode back inside. I didn’t touch the door, even to close it, hoping maybe they would find something there that could help.
Jensen was laughing with a customer when I reached the front room. She turned to say something to me, but taking in my expression, she froze. The color drained from Jensen’s face. “What happened?”
I fisted my hands so tightly it was a miracle I didn’t break a knuckle. “Tessa’s gone. I called Walker. He’s on his way. He said not to let anyone leave.” My voice was even, devoid of any emotion. It was the only way I could say what I had to.
Tears filled Jensen’s eyes, but she clenched her jaw and forced them back. She raised her voice above the din of the shop. “Excuse me, everyone. We have a missing woman. The police are on their way, but I need you all to stay put so they can ask you some questions.”
The café erupted in conversation. Jensen lifted her voice above them again. “We will have complimentary snacks and beverages while you wait.”
Time seemed to pass in a blur yet move as slowly as molasses at the same time. I wanted to get in my SUV, tear out of there, and go look for Tessa. I had some weird notion that my heart would lead me to her. It was ridiculous. We had no clues yet. No idea where Garrett was or where he might be headed.
I needed out of the shop. Too many people. Too much noise. I strode down the hall, forcing myself not to look at the pantry, the place where Tessa’s blood possibly lay on the floor. I reached the back alley and tried to slow my breathing. I couldn’t. Rage flowed through my veins.
Tessa. My beautiful girl was in the hands of a monster. I’d promised her that she was safe. That I’d be with her every moment. I’d failed. My breaths came faster, the rage hotter. I turned and slammed my fist into the dumpster. Pain bloomed, radiating up my arm.
I welcomed it. Anything that would distract me from the agony shredding my chest. I slammed my fist into the dumpster again. And again. And again. Someone roughly grabbed my shoulder, and I spun, ready to turn my rage on them, but Walker knew what was likely coming and blocked my shot.
Twisting my arm, Walker held it firmly behind my back. “Get it together, man. Breaking your fucking hand isn’t going to help you find your girl.”
I heaved, trying to catch my breath. As I relaxed, Walker loosened his hold. I turned to face him. “I’m sorry.”
Walker slapped me on the shoulder. “You needed to let it out somehow. You ready to walk me through this? I’ve got officers interviewing everyone inside.”
My throat was suddenly dry as a desert. “Yeah.” The word came out scratchy. We headed towards the door. “This was open when I came back here.”
Walker crouched to study the lock. “You guys were keeping this locked, right?”
“Religiously.”
