Page 104 of Save Me

“Does he have a name?”

“Dae Kim. I don’t think you know him.” I glance over at Riley. “Riley met him when we went horseback riding.”

Riley grins. “He’s gorgeous, Patience. You should’ve seen how good he was with the children. And with Kennedy.” She wiggles her eyebrows as she looks between the two of us.

“Riley,” I say.

“What?” She looks at me with innocence. “You asked me not to say anything before, but now the cat’s out of the bag, right? Besides, Kyle will probably meet him before then since we’ll be at the Black Opal next Thursday night, and you agreed to be there, too. As clingy as he was during horseback riding, I’m betting he won’t let you out of his sight.”

“I forgot about that,” I whisper. Kyle’s having a work event at the Black Opal next week.

“You didn’t want us to know?” Mom asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“What? No, it’s not that. I just wanted to keep it to myself for a while.”

“Then we’ll get to meet him at the gala?”

I swallow, knowing not only will my dad and brother be there but also my grandfather and a few uncles. And Uncle Brutus, whom Dae’s already met.

“I’m going as his date,” I tell my mom and sister-in-law. “He does some charity work, and the organization he helps run is being honored.”

“That’s wonderful,” my mom says but doesn’t go into a bevy of questions as I expect her to.

“In the group chat, send me some suggestions for next week’s lunch spot,” my mom says as we exit the restaurant. “Your Aunt Kayla and grandmother might be able to make it next week, too.”

“Good. I’ll look forward to it,” I tell her once we separate from our hug.

“I love you, baby.” She cups my face. “I’m happy you’re finally seeing someone who puts a smile on your face.”

“I barely said more than a couple of sentences about him.”

She laughs. “The same way I knew Riley was pregnant weeks ago. Words aren’t the only way to communicate. The look on your face when you say his name says a lot.”

I groan. “Your husband is going to ask all types of questions.”

“Your father will be overprotective, yes,” she admits. “But what he wants, what we both want, is your happiness. That’s all.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

I don’t need to say much more. My dad will do what he does. But I’m not a child, it’s not like he can forbid me from seeing someone. I slowly start to admit that I haven’t brought home anyone to meet my family recently because none of the guys were interesting enough.

“Love you, Mom.”

As I start the fifteen-minute walk back to my office, I make a mental list of all the work tasks I need to complete before I head out for the day when my phone buzzes with a text.

It’s my burner phone. I’ve kept it on my lately in case Nicole or another source needs to contact me.

Nicole: Next Thursday night, I can take you to the hotel where they keep the kids.

My heartbeat speeds up from excitement. That feeling of exhilaration every time I find another important piece of this puzzle I’m trying to put together overcomes me.

I don’t even think about it as I type:

Kennedy: What time?

Nicole: 9 o’clock. The drop-off and pick-up usually happens around that time.

A lump forms in my throat. According to Nicole, this is what Sebastian Blackmon is hiding. He’s smuggling adolescents into forced labor. To work for his multiple chain restaurants. Not just here in Williamsport but in other cities as well.

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