Page 98 of Unlocking Melodies

“Time's up,” Moretti announced with theatrical flair.

I saw the second guard move behind me too late. Pain exploded across the back of my head, and my last thought before darkness claimed me was of Ethan - hoping he'd forgive me for choosing family over sense one last time.

Then everything went black, and even that hope faded away.

Chapter 25

Fractured

Iprobably set some kind of land speed record getting to Oakwood Grove. My father's comment about traffic laws echoed mockingly in my head, but I couldn't bring myself to care. Not when Jimmy was missing, not when every second felt like an eternity of what-ifs and worst-case scenarios.

My car’s tires sprayed gravel as I skidded to a stop outside Rolling Hill Ranch, the car's pristine paint job probably ruined. Another thing I couldn't care about. My hands shook as I killed the engine, muscle memory somehow getting me out of the car despite my brain being completely offline.

I must have looked like hell - suit wrinkled beyond saving, tie hanging loose like a surrender flag, hair probably resembling something closer to a hedge than my usual careful styling.

Caleb materialized on the porch before I could reach the door, his hand raised in what was probably meant to be a calming gesture but felt more like a stop sign. “Ethan, you need to breathe.”

“Breathe?” The laugh that escaped me sounded slightly unhinged. “Jimmy's missing, and you want me to focus on respiratory functions?”

“I want you to not pass out before we can actually help him.” He gripped my shoulder, steady and grounding. “We've got people here who know what they're doing. But they need you thinking clearly, not spiraling into a panic attack in designer shoes.”

The mention of my shoes - which were definitely not made for ranch gravel - somehow cut through the static in my brain. Trust Caleb to use fashion to reach me at my most unhinged.

“Fine.” I forced myself to take a deep breath, then another. “I'm breathing. Happy?”

“Ecstatic.” His dry tone carried a warmth that made my chest tight. “Now come on. Everyone's waiting inside.”

I followed him through the door, my heart hammering against my ribs. The sight that greeted me in the living room would have been almost comical under different circumstances - Liam and Elliot huddled over maps spread across the coffee table, Jake and Officer Dawn reviewing what looked like security footage, and Clark of all people sitting in the corner with an expression that suggested he'd rather be anywhere else.

The cavalry had assembled. Now we just had to figure out how to use it.

“What do we know?” The words came out sharper than I intended, but panic had a way of stripping away corporate polish.

Jake stepped forward, tension evident in his stance. “We've got surveillance footage. Shows the car they used, but we lost the trail once it left town limits.”

“That's it?” I couldn't keep the bitter edge from my voice. “A car disappears and we just... what? Give up?”

“Actually,” Jake's eyes shifted to Clark, “we might have something else.”

Clark lounged in his corner chair with an ease that made my skin crawl. Something about him felt off - like watching an actor playing a role they hadn't quite mastered.

“Some interesting chatter going around,” Clark drawled, examining his nails like we weren't discussing Jimmy's life. “About people using that old barn out past Miller's property.”

“Chatter.” I tasted blood and realized I'd been biting the inside of my cheek. “And why exactly should we trust your convenient intel?”

His smile didn't reach his eyes. “Because unlike you, rich boy, I've got connections in places that don't take American Express.”

“You want to test how far my connections reach?” The threat slipped out before I could stop it. “Because I'd be happy to-“

“Enough.” Jake's voice cut through the tension. “Clark's information checks out. We've had reports of unusual activity out there - vehicles coming and going at odd hours.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” I was already moving toward the door, but Liam stepped in my path.

“We need a plan.” His voice was steady, reasonable - which just made me want to scream. “We can't just rush in blind. That's exactly what they'd expect.”

“Every minute we waste planning is another minute Jimmy's in danger.” My hands were shaking again, corporate control completely shot. “Do you understand what these people are capable of? What they might be doing to him right now?”

“Do you understand what happens if we go in unprepared and get him killed?” Liam's bluntness felt like a slap. “Think, Ethan. You're not the only one who cares about him.”

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