“He wore a hat, but definitely brown-skinned and a bit on the thick side. Not big at all though.”
“It was Dewayne. Call Luca back.”
This time, Luca picked up on the second ring. Hearing his voice sent me spiraling, but I knew I had to keep it together. There were a few important things that he needed to know. I missed him and my girls so much it hurt even worse than my physical scars.
“What’s up, Lyric?”
“It’s me,” I responded.
“Hey. How are you feeling?”
“Far from good. Yesterday, I saw Scar, Dewayne’s best friend, when I was leaving from Baisleigh’s House. That was right before I got the call about Em and the reason I freaked out about the ice cream situation. I was on my way to tell you that last night before everything happened. He must’ve followed me from my mother’s house. It’s the only location in Channing he knows for me. He’s driving his Yukon. It’s registered in his name. That’s all I remember.”
“That’s good, baby. That’s good enough. Any other details you come up with, let me know.”
“You can go to my office and review the footage if that helps.”
“Baisleigh?” he questioned.
“Yes. I came as soon as I heard.”
“Appreciate that. I’m about to head to your shit now. Anybody there to let me in your office?”
“No. But I can let you in from where I’m standing. Just let me know when you’re there.”
“Bet. Stay by the phone, on my way now.”
“Alright.”
Luca ended the call, leaving us all silent. Everyone was processing the progress we’d just seemed to have made in getting my girls back. My growling stomach broke through the quietness, making us all shake our heads. Me, not so much because it hurt to move at all.
“I think I’m hungry,” I admitted.
“We know.” Lyric chuckled.
“I don’t want anything they give me.”
“Don’t worry. I’m going downstairs to the cafeteria on my own and grab you something to eat. Anything in particular?”
“French fries with ketchup. No salt. It’ll only burn my lips.”
“You sure you want chewable foods and not any type of soup?”
“Right now, soup would only tease me and the thought of it has me ready to barf.”
“Please don’t.”
“Bring me some soup while I’m starving, and I promise I will.”
“Baisleeeeeeeeeeigh?”
Her speech slurred as she turned in my direction and bucked her pretty brown eyes. She motioned toward the door with her head, prompting me to look in the same direction. When I saw the dark-skinned man I’d learned to be Ken come from around the corner, confusion sank in. I wasn’t sure why he was in my room or how he’d slid through the door without either of us hearing him. Of course, he was Luca’s best friend, but his presence was still baffling.
“Ken.” Lyric greeted him with a hug when he joined her at my side.
“What’s good, Lyric?”
“What are you doing here?” She asked that was at the tip of my tongue.
