“She can’t be far.”
I force a smile I don’t feel when I glance at Ember. Ever since her very loud declaration, we’ve been focusing on finding my mom. She’s never walked off like this before, and with every passing minute, the dread in my gut intensifies. Since it’s been two hours of fruitless searching, the intensity is close to unbearable.
“I think I should call the cops,” I say, going against everything I’ve learned since becoming a Soulless King. “It’s been too long.”
“Call the club,” she counters. “And Addison. They’ll be able to help more than the police.”
“Addison is police,” I remind her.
“She’s also family.” Ember finally levels her gaze on mine. “I get the urge to call the cops, I really do. But I’ve dealt with this, and calling them could trigger an investigation with Adult Protective Services. You don’t want that, trust me.”
I stiffen at the implication of her words. “They’d be stupid as fuck to accuse me of anything bad.”
“Yeah, they would, but that wouldn’t stop them. And if Addison comes as a cop, she’ll be bound by the rules. If she comes as family…” She shrugs. “It’s different.”
I’m surprised she’s suggesting I don’t involve law enforcement, and I’m even more surprised that I thought it would be a good idea. I’m a former undercover cop who quit because of the shit dirty cops pulled… the last thing I need is one of them in my business or trying too hard to please an even dirtier higher up.
“Thanks,” I say as I pull my cell out of my cut to call Crow.
“For what?” she asks while I wait for him to answer.
“For understanding what my emotions wouldn’t let me remember.”
“That sounds serious,” Crow says, pulling my attention away from Ember.
“Hey, Pres, I’ve got a problem.”
“What’s that?”
“Mom took off about two hours ago, and we can’t find her. I know you’re working on some other things, but any chance you can spare some of the guys? We could use all the help we can get.” I pause. “Oh, and is Addison off today? I’d like her help, too, but not in an official capacity if you get my drift.”
“We’ll all be there in ten. Send me your current location.”
“Crow, you don’t ha?—”
“We’llallbe there,” he snarls. “Family is more important than anything else, whether by blood or the patch, got me?”
“Got you.”
“Good. Send Tracer your mom’s cell number. Maybe he can track her that way. Honestly, for a former cop, I’m surprised you didn’t think to call sooner. And as a brother, I’m a little pissed that you didn’t.”
“Yeah, well, took me a bit to think of it,” I say, sliding my eyes to Ember.
“You mean it took a pretty woman to get you to think clearly,” he teases.
I chuckle. “Something like that.”
“Send that info. See ya soon.”
He disconnects the call, and I send off two quick texts before tucking my cell back into my cut.
“They’re on their way,” I tell Ember as I walk to where she’s standing down the block. She walked away to give me privacy, and I’m grateful for it.
“Told ya.”
“Yeah, you did.” I rock on my heels. “Now what?”
God, Iaman idiot. I used to search for people for a living—sort of—and now I’m relying on a nurse to tell me what to do.
