Page 131 of Muted

My head jerks back because I’d never considered our age to be a concern between us. “I don’t think so. They’re older than me—”

The growl he lets out shuts me up. “Ronnie,” Elaine’s gentle voice calls to him. “You’re nine years old than me as well.”

She and I both jump when his hand slams down on the table. “Yeah?Buttheyare older! Please, tell me… Who arethey? They,who arealsodating my pumpkin?”

Now I’m getting pissed. I understand that he only wants to protect her, but we’re all good men, even if Theo pisses me off more often than not.

Sitting up straight, I glare back at him. “Theyare Chester Ahearn, the owner of the bar where we all work, and Theodore Gatlin. Theo works security and will soon be partnered with Chester.”

“I see… And how long has this been going on?”

Dismissing his warning, I go all in answering his questions. “Well, Theo and I started seeing her around the same time. So, it’s been a bit over a month now. She and Chester aren’t really at the same stage as Theo and I are with her, but they started—”

“What stage would that be?”

Lifting my brow, I mentally kick myself for saying that. Elaine must know what I was alluding to because she snorts out a laugh, then waves us both off when we look at her.

“Sorry. Ignore me,” she says through her giggles.

Keeping an eye on her, I say, “I don’t think I’m going to answer that question. I don’t think Susu would appreciate it, especially if she’s not here right now.”

My statement has both of them dropping their shoulders. All of Elaine’s humor is wiped away, replaced by worry.

Reaching out, I place my hand over hers and give her a gentle squeeze. “Chester is leaving in the morning to drive to the town where you used to live. He’s been speaking with the police there to get help. Theo is waiting with Susu’s roommate, hoping maybe she’ll come back. The plan was for me to be here with you and when we know where she’s at, I’ll fly us to her.”

“We don’t need—”

“Ronnie,” Elaine says in warning, cutting him off. Then to me with a tearful smile, grips my hand back. “Thank you, Vance. That’s incredibly kind of you. We’ve been beside ourselves with worry, even before you called us today. Now, I know it’s been a long day. Would you like to get some sleep? We’ve had a small room set up for Susanna in case she decided to come here. You can have that room.”

Running her eyes down my body, she teases, “Although you may be a little tall for the bed. Our sweet girl is much shorter than you, isn’t she?”

Huffing out a laugh, I shake my head. “That would be lovely. I’ll wake you if I hear anything tonight. Thank you for your hospitality.”

With a wiggle in her shoulders, she laughs. “So polite. Ronnie, I like this one. Be kind.”

Grumbling, he continues to drink his whiskey. Standing up, I toss the remaining mouthful back and pass it to Elaine, who’s holding her hand out for it.

“Let’s get you settled, my dear.”

Following her to the other side of their small apartment, I thank her again and lay down after updating Theo and Chester that I’m here. Closing my eyes, I pray that we’ll have some news tomorrow.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sitting in the living room, it’s so obvious to me that something has changed. Elaine is more closed off, as if she’s trying her hardest to mince her words.

Ronnie is relaxed, as if he doesn’t have a care in the world.

I fill the guys in with my suspicions that they managed to speak with her. I’m just about to ask them when my phone buzzes and I sit up straight, panic ripping through me when I read Chester’s text.

Chester: She’s here. Arthur has her. The police are working on tracking his phone to figure out where they’ve gone. We found her stuff in her yard and it’s obvious there was a struggle. I’m going with them. Theo, get your ass on the road. Vance, fly them here as soon as you can.

“Fuck,” I whisper.

Ronnie drops the paper he was reading and Elaine spins on her heels to wait for me to continue. My chest cracks wide open when I see the absolute devastation on their faces when I repeat what Chester just told me.

“Pack your bags. I’ll book us flights and get us out of here.” Standing up, I leave them to call Theo, learning that he’s already in the car and on his way.

It’s late morning and one flight down by the time we hear from Chester again.

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