Footsteps sounded from inside.Natalie closed her eyes.Oh god, I don’t hear Bray.Why don’t I hear him?
The door swung open.Keetan stood in front of her in a white T-shirt and snug jeans.At first glance, he appeared attractive.He had a killer smile.That was what had drawn her to him so many years ago.But now his vicious green eyes were filled with menace.“I knew you’d come crawling back.”He flicked his gaze to Ellie, and his mouth twitched with displeasure.
He’d never liked Ellie.Not only was she not afraid of him, but he couldn’t outright intimidate her as he could Natalie.He wouldn’t give anyone other than the friends he trusted proof of the real monster beneath his even smile.
It wasn’t until Natalie returned from Fargo and told him she’d leave again if he kept her from her sister that Keetan finally got used to having Ellie around.Much to his disdain.
“Ellie,” he said.
Her sister flattened her lips.Thankfully, she chose not to add fuel to an already precarious situation.
“Keetan, can we talk inside?”Natalie kept her tone soft.She’d like nothing more than to throat-punch the bastard, but she couldn’t risk a misstep.Not until she had her son.“I need to see Bray.”
His jaw hardened, and a glint flickered in his eyes.Her stomach lurched.Hot anger scorched her skin.Her shiny civil exterior cracked like thin ice.She rammed forward, shoving open the front door.Keetan stumbled backward as she charged through.
“Bray!Bray, come to Mommy!”Gone was the rationale not to scare her son.Terror sent her racing through the home.Keetan shouted and Ellie screamed, but she didn’t slow.She ran down the hallway and shoved open the door to Bray’s room.
Empty.
Her footing faltered as she stared at the bare room.His crib, rocking chair, and change table were all gone, as were the many pictures of him she’d hung on the wall.She ran to the closet and ripped open the bifold doors.Bare hangers swung with the movement of air.
Nothing.It was as if Bray hadn’t existed.She turned around, her heart pounding and her hands trembling.
Keetan appeared in the doorway.He huffed and puffed, sweat dotting his forehead.“I’ve called the cops.You’re going to jail now, bitch.”
“Where’s my son!”she screamed at the top of her lungs.A deep pain seared her soul.Panic made her chest rise and fall frantically.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”He stared at her blankly.
She knew that sadistic shimmer in his eyes.She’d memorized it for the last decade.She’d witnessed and endured his cruelty many times—but this blew all other occasions out of the water.
“You sonofabitch!”She launched herself at him, raking her fingernails across his face.
He hissed and lunged.Grabbing her shoulders, he slammed her against the wall.The breath wheezed from her chest.Pain shot up her spine and spread across her head.
She didn’t slow.She jerked up her knee, connecting with his crotch.
“Bitch,” he spat.But he didn’t let go.He raised his fist.She winced and braced for impact, but the next thing she saw was Keetan looking confused.His arm was yanked backward and he landed on his ass, Brick standing over him.
Natalie brought her hand to her throat, shock rooting her to the spot.Brick slammed his booted foot onto Keetan’s chest, right beneath his throat.“Where’s my fucking kid?”
Keetan squirmed, grappling with Brick’s leg.“I don’t know what—”
He slid his foot closer to Keetan’s throat.“Don’t play with me.If you don’t tell me where he is, I’ll snap your damn neck.”
Her ex’s face turned a purplish red.Satisfaction spread through her as she watched him wither and squirm.
“Natalie!”Ellie raced into the room and pulled her into her arms.“Oh my god.I’m so glad you’re—” She pulled back, her eyes wide as she looked around the room.“Where’re Bray’s things?”
A sob caught in her throat.She covered her mouth and shook her head.“I don’t know.”
Ellie’s somber eyes clouded with dismay.“I’ll check the rest of the house.Wait here.”
Hopelessness opened up in Natalie’s chest like a bottomless pit.She channeled her hand through her hair.She needed to run, to search, to find her little boy, but dear god, she had nowhere to start.Not a clue other than the man on the floor who’d do anything to cause her pain.Ellie’s voice echoed cheerfully through the halls.Natalie was grateful her sister had the strength to act normally in case Bray was nearby.
Her maternal sixth sense screamed that Bray wasn’t inside the house, though.
Sirens peeled in the distance.
