After Us (Next Generation #6) - J.M. Walker Page 0,91
jacket, revealing two guns in a holster sitting on his hips.
“Who we are doesn’t matter,” one said. His friend who was still standing by the SUV, was big but this one was large. With tattoos lining both sides of his thick neck, his piercing blue eyes locked on us. Bits of silver sprouted from his black hair. He had dark scruff on his strong jaw that held a hint of gray. While he looked to be in his late forties, a gold nose ring made him almost appear young. It was a contradiction, the metallic ring sparkling in the sunlight. “We saw the vehicle pull out of the parking lot and start following you.”
“You couldn’t have done something before they ran us off the road?” Jaron bit out, tightening his hold on my hand.
“This isn’t a movie, kid.” The man looked at his friend before back at us. “You two need to go to the hospital.”
“No. We need to find our daughter,” Jaron told him.
“Your daughter’s missing?” the man with the nose ring, asked.
“Yes,” Jaron answered, his voice cracking. “She was taken before we woke up. We don’t even know if she’s…”
A dark shadow passed over the other man’s face. He appeared to be younger and even though he was much smaller than his two friends, there was an air about him that I didn’t like. His clothing didn’t seem to mirror his personality either. He was definitely no Spencer Reid, even though he could have been his twin. With dark blue jeans, a button-up plaid shirt with all sorts of pastel colors, and a light gray vest, he seemed almost geeky. When he caught me staring, the corner of his mouth pulled up into a smirk.
My stomach twisted. Inching closer to Jaron, I grabbed his hand.
He looked down at me, probably wondering what the hell had made me suddenly so nervous but I couldn’t explain it.
This guy…he terrified me.
“Someone took your daughter?” the larger man asked.
“Yes, they did,” Jaron said, his voice rough.
The smaller man who had been silent this whole time, turned around and headed back to the SUV to join his other friend.
“Jaron.” I grabbed onto his hoodie, leaning my head against his strong back. Everything inside of me hurt. From my bones to my muscles. My body ached but I needed Brynn. I needed her in my arms. I would never again take it for granted that I had her with us, always.
“We’ll get her,” he said, reaching around for me. He pulled me into his side, hugging me tightly and keeping me close.
“We’ll drive you to the hospital,” the man who had stayed behind said.
“No. We’ll go somewhere else. The hospital isn’t safe.” Jaron grabbed my hand, slipping his fingers between mine. “We’ll go see Shadow.”
Shadow, or Nero Wolf, was Bee’s grandfather and a retired biker. He had his own little hospital at his clubhouse which was safer than going to an actual hospital. No one asked questions there.
“We’ll take you.” The man spun on his heel, pulling a phone from his pocket.
“Wait.” Jaron stepped forward. “Did you see who took our daughter?”
The man’s face softened. “No. I’m sorry, we didn’t. We were driving home, saw the other SUV start following you. They were sitting in the parking lot and pulled out as soon as you left the grocery store. So we started following them. We were cut off by another car and then got stuck behind a tractor. We finally made our way to you and saw the explosion but we thought it might have been too late.” He put the phone to his ear. “Yeah, I’d like to report an accident.” He gave the location and hung up before the dispatcher asked for anything else. “Call whoever you need,” he said, handing Jaron the phone.
When we reached the SUV, Jaron paused in his steps. He looked down at the cell in his hand before meeting my gaze. “I don’t know who to call.”
“Everyone, Jaron. Call every single fucking person we know.” My eyes welled. “I need my baby back.”
He nodded, putting the phone up to his ear and walking away. “Dad, I need your help,” he said, his voice trailing off as he stepped out of earshot.
“Here.”
I looked over my shoulder.
The man who had stayed behind was now sitting in the passenger seat, holding a bottle of water out the window.
I hesitated but ended up taking it and downing half the bottle. “Thank you.”