Page 48 of Morsel

“Come again?” I feel like I’m missing something.

“Alex and Ryan were sure they found Aaron. He had a new name, a new family, everything. They talked, and then they met up. They had a little reunion. Apparently, it went well.”

Relief washes over me. Okay, so maybe not everything in the world is trashy and bad.

Oscar doesn’t say anything for a long moment, though.

“Is there something else?” I ask. “Something you haven’t shared?”

“Yes,” he says. “When they left, Alex was sure that the man she met wasn’t Aaron.”

“Did Ryan believe her?”

“Yes.”

“So what happens next?”

“We’re trying to find him,” Oscar says. “Along with the other kids who are missing.”

“Have you gone to the police?” I ask. I already know the answer. Oscar leans his head against my tummy, and I pet his hair.

“The police don’t have the resources we do. They also tend to color within the lines, whereas my brothers and I have certain freedoms they don’t.”

“Meaning you can torture people if you want to,” I say, nodding.

“What the fuck?” Oscar looks up at me. He laughs. “You dirty little freak.” For some reason, I know this is a term of endearment. “How much true crime do you watch?”

“A lot,” I admit.

“Well, I was thinking we could break into buildings. Not torture people.”

“Ah.”

That makes more sense.

“We still don’t know as much as we should,” he says. “I’d like to talk to your brother.”

“But he’s like, gone underground.”

“He wanted to abduct me for a reason,” Oscar says. “I think we should give him another chance.”

My blood runs cold.

“Oscar? What do you mean?” Another chance? No fucking way. I’m not losing him. Not now.

“I just think it would be a great way to get more answers,” he says.

“But I can’t lose you,” I say.

The words are out of my mouth before I can stop myself, but I don’t bother trying to recall them.

“What?” Oscar stands. He places his hands on my waist.

“I can’t lose you,” I repeat.

“Why not, baby?”

“Because I’m falling for you.”

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