Page 123 of Done Waiting

As Bryce guides her, I tune them out, my thoughts spinning. We’ve been researching Ben, but his background is still a mystery. Jason, Bryce, and I are convinced Benjamin Cromwell is not his real name. While we’ve dug up information on him in Falls Creek, there’s no trace of him before that.

Just as Abby gets into place and is parked at the edge of the woods, a loud moan comes from her lips.

“Abby?” Bryce’s voice wavers with concern.

She moans a few more times before she says, “No, no, no.”

“What’s going on?” Fear grips me, my breath bursting in and out of my nose and mouth.

“I-I think I-I’m in l-labor.” Abby’s voice quivers from pain, her shallow breathing coming through the line. “I-I was h-having…” she breaks off, another light moan leaving her lips. “Tightness in the warehouse. As I drove…” her deep breaths fill the line. “The cramping started. I-I think…”

“Oh shit. Are you in labor, baby?”

“I-I think I am.” Her voice is weak, full of dread.

“Stay calm. Breathe with me.” Bryce’s soothing voice comes through the phone. “We’re close. Everything will be alright.”

“I-I’m still w-watching.” Deep breaths rasp in and out of her. “B-Ben went inside. H-He d-didn’t take Maddie.”

My brows furrow.What the hell is he doing?

“He’s moving fast. Looked very panicked. Ouch.” Her voice cuts off.

“Keep breathing, baby.” Bryce coaxes, panic evident in his voice.

Fuck. Sweat rolls down the back of my shirt, sticking uncomfortably. Reaching over, I turn down the heat. As I move, I feel the familiar ache inside my head, indicating a headache is brewing.Not now.I don’t have time for this.

I’m torn. I need to get to Abby and ensure she’s okay, but I must also rescue Maddie.

“We’re about fifteen minutes away,” I hear Bryce say.

Fifteen fucking minutes. I slam my hand on the steering wheel, my vision tinted red from my rage.

My ribs are tight, and my body feels hollow.Fifteen minutes is plenty of time for Ben to get a nice head start.

Time seems to slow down as frustration fills me. My thoughts are full of self-loathing and inadequacy, my dad’s words, and every other motherfucker who thought I was nothing but a worthless piece of shit circulating inside my head.

For the first time, a gnawing fear settles into my spine that I won’t be able to save Maddie. Emptiness fills me, and for the first time since I’ve been a kid, I feel completely powerless.

My heart sinks, and my body goes numb.

I’ve failed her.

47

THE STALKER

Idownshift as I turn onto the road across from Maddie’s childhood home, spotting Maddie’s Mustang in the distance. Abby has exited the vehicle and is standing beside it, doubled over and holding her stomach. Her head lifts, her expression one of discomfort when I jerk my truck to a stop a short distance away from her.

Throwing my door open, I run to her and wrap my fingers around her arm. Abby’s shoulders are hunched forward, as she focuses on her breathing. Yet, the first words out of her mouth are about Maddie.

“I’m so… sorry, Jagger.” Tears fill her eyes. “I wish… I could have… followed… them.”

“Abby, stop.” I tighten my arms around her, hearing Jason and Bryce pulling in behind my truck. I look at them over my shoulder, meeting Bryce’s terrified eyes.

“Ben took the I-Ice Q-Queen.” She whimpers, her face scrunched up in pain. “It appeared she was knocked out. H-He carried h-her.”

I nod, my brows drawing together. Ben has Maddie and yet he took the time to grab her mom.What is going on? Why would he take the Ice Queen?

---