Page 147 of Play Pretend

Thoughts soared through my mind as I tried to figure it out. Then it hit me.

Braydon.

The dumbass kid from the bakery.From the diner.

I slammed my palm against the steering wheel. I should’ve kept a closer eye on him—I shouldn’t have let her walk outside?—

“We’re at Blue Haven Apartments in Blackrock Bay. Apartment 104,” Willow’s voice suddenly filled my ear, loud and clear.

“I’m coming, baby,” I said, my voice shaky. “Just hang—” Something crashed, then the line went dead. “Willow? Willow!”

I screamed until my throat was raw, until I couldn’t breathe.

Fuck. What happened? Where was she? Was she alright? Was he hurting her?

Blue Haven was close to the edge of town. I pressed my work phone to my ear, hearing Toby on the other end. “Blue Haven Apartments,” I told him. “Apartment 104.”

“Got it.”

“I don’t have ears on her anymore,” I rasped. “What if he’s?—”

“We’re gonna get your girl back, boss,” Toby said, his voice low and fierce. “She’s gonna be fine.”

“But what if?—”

“No what-if’s.” I took a breath, grounding myself. “She’ll be fine.”

I pulled into the parking lot of the apartment complex and froze. “I’m here,” I muttered, scanning the building numbers for Braydon’s.

There it is.

“Stay in the car until backup arrives,” Toby said, but I ignored him as I pulled my gun from the glovebox and slipped out, quietly shutting the door. “Ronan—” I hung up and slid my phone into my pocket.

Rocks crunched under my feet. Crickets chirped. The moon was the only light I had.

Slowly, I crept across the parking lot, the metal of my gun clinking together in my hand.

Then I heard her scream, and nothing else mattered.

Nothing mattered.

My life, my career, nothing.

Just her.

Willow.

My girl.

I sprinted forward, hearing Braydon shout something I couldn’t make out as I skidded to a stop in front of the door. If I lost her, I wouldn’t survive it. Iwouldn’t.

My foot rose, and I slammed it into the center of the door, sending wood chips flying.

One moment, Willow was clutching her stomach, groaning and gasping for air. Then the next, Braydon reached down and yanked her to her feet. He pressed a gun into her side, and before I even realized what I’d done, my gun was aimed at him.

I didn’t take my eyes off his. “Drop it,” I said roughly. “Let her go.”

“I can’t,” he shouted. “I can’t!”

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