Page 53 of Ryder

I don’t ask any questions, I shoot up out of bed and begin to pull on my clothes. Ryder rounds my side of the bed and takes my upper arms, halting me, “I think you should stay here, Siren,” he says gently. “If Harlee isn’t with her, it’s another setback. And if she does have her, well that could end badly for Mary.”

“If she is with her, she’ll want me, Ryder. I can handle whatever comes. But I’m coming with you.” He’s crazy if he thinks I’m waiting here for news, even if Harlee isn’t with her, she’ll know where she is and I can appeal to her better nature, I’m sure of it.

It takes us an hour to get to the derelict looking house. There’s not a soul around. No passing cars, no neighbours, not even a dog walker.

“Are you sure this is the right place?” Ryder asks Griff.

Griff nods, looking down at his iPad. “Her mobile was used at six this morning. It pinged up at this address.”

“Let’s go take a look then,” I say, eagerly.

We get out of the car and cross the road. Ryder pushes on the small mental gate and it creaks as the rusty hinges rub together. Before we’ve even gone down the path, the front door swings open. Ryder pulls a gun from the back of his jeans, taking me by surprise. He drags me behind him as Mary steps from the property with her head down. She’s rummaging through her bag paying no attention. “You need to stop there,” growls Ryder and she looks up in surprise. Her wide eyes take in the scene before her and a whimper leaves her throat. “Oh Jesus,” she whispers, dropping her bag and raising her hands. The contents spill across the floor and I can’t help but scan them for any signs she’s holding my little girl. A toy or a snack. Anything to give me hope.

“Where’s Harlee?” I demand, pushing around Ryder so she can see me.

“Neve,” she gasps.

“I want my little girl, Mary,” I say, my tone desperate. “Where is she?” She doesn’t answer quick enough and I begin to shout Harlee’s name frantically.

Mary waves her hands, “Stop yelling,” she hisses, “She’s napping. She’s absolutely fine, Neve.”

My heart slams wildly in my chest and I run forward, ignoring Ryder who tries to grab hold of me. I shove Mary out of the way and run through the house, checking room to room until I finally spot my little girl curled up on the couch, fast asleep and unaware of the chaos spiralling around her.

I drop to my knees and run my hand over her hair, moving my nose into the crook of her warm neck and inhaling deeply. “Baby girl,” I whisper. “I love you so much.”

“Mummy?” She twists to face me and a sob escapes me as I pull back and smile down at her.

“Hey, Popple. How yah doing?”

“mummy, you’re here,” Harlee cries, wrapping her arms around my neck and clinging to me.

“I missed you so damn much,” I whisper, holding her close.

“Is daddy gone?” she asks and I detect the worry in her voice.

“Daddy is gone forever, Popple. He will never come near us again.”

Ryder

I step into the room to see my two favourite girls wrapped around each other. It warms my cold heart. “How are my ladies?” I ask and they pull apart slightly.

Harlee screams in delight, jumping from the couch and running to me. It almost brings a tear to my eye as I sweep her into my arms and her little arms cling to me. Neve saunters over and I open my arm, tucking her into my side and kissing her on the head. “Finn lied to Mary,” I whisper. “Told her you had,” I glance at Harlee who is still snuggled against me before whispering to Neve, “Dead.”

“I just can’t help wonder if she saw an opportunity,” she mutters. “Finn made it sound like she was looking for a replacement for her own child.”

“She seems genuinely pleased you’re okay,” I tell her.

“Mary promised to look after me until you could find us again,” says Harlee, running her fingers into Neve’s hair.

Neve nods, kissing Harlee on the cheek. “I need to go and speak to her for myself.”

I give a nod and follow her outside. Mary is sitting on a bench in the front garden. “We need to talk,” Neve says, coldly.

“I promised I’d look after her for you, Neve. I would never have hurt her.”

I pass Harlee to Griff and she squeals excitedly as he whisks her away. Neve takes a seat beside Mary.

“What happened?” I demand.

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