Page 155 of The Forever Play

But I have to survive it.

I can’t fall apart right now, because I have to get my baby girl back.

CHAPTER 59

ZANDER

I drive like a demon and don’t slow until we pull into the wooded area on the outskirts of town. We have an army of people looking for Zoey, and I’m grateful to every one of them, but if Russell is where Coach Bergeron’s truck is, then we need to go for a quiet approach.

Coming to a stop on the side of the road, I peer into the greenery and think I spot a taillight.

“Do you see anything?” Sienna asks, her voice a shaking, wispy mess. Her eyes are so swollen and red-rimmed she looks like she’s had stage makeup applied.

I hate seeing her like this and lightly brush my finger down her cheek, trying to comfort her in even the smallest way.

My insides are raging. It’s taking maximum effort not to turn green and start smashing the shit out of everything around me, but I have to stay calm. For her. For Zoey.

So I nod and keep my tone soft and even. “I see the edge of a truck. I’m assuming it belongs to CoachBergeron. Down that way”—I point into the wooded area—“there’s this abandoned greenhouse and a barn and stables and stuff. This is the edge of an old farm, and it’s been sold off in sections. I don’t know who owns this land, but students have been coming down here ever since I started at Nolan U. It’s a quiet place to share a drink or a smoke or… you know.”

Sienna whimpers, covering her mouth and sobbing into her hand.

I squeeze her shoulder, running my hand down her arm. “There’s a chance he’s got her in there.”

“I can’t breathe.” She pushes her hand against her chest. Her face is bunched in agony. This is fucking killing me.

“Hey.” Peeling her fingers away from her body, I thread them through mine and kiss her knuckles. “Sparks, we can do this. We can get her back.”

“Yeah.” Her head bobs, her breath shaky when she finally releases it.

“Come on. Let’s go.” Slipping out of the car, I close the door quietly and walk around the vehicle, grabbing Sienna’s wrist before she bolts across the road and gets hit by the car that’s speeding toward us.

The truck pulls to the side, slamming to a stop behind my SUV. Wily and Grady jump out, both looking ready to maim and slaughter for the sake of my family. I’m so fucking grateful right now.

“The police are on their way,” Grady informs me. “I tried to say no cops, but Coach B wouldn’t have it. He’s called anyway. We left while he was still on the phone.”

“Okay, well… we have to go and get her before they arrive.” Sienna points across the road.

“They’ll approach quietly. Coach B was explaining it as we left.”

“I don’t care. I’m not waiting for the cops.” Sienna shakes her head. “Let’s sneak up quietly and get her back before he disappears for good.” She ends in a squeak, stealing some of the power from her assertive commands.

I squeeze her wrist, then thread my fingers between hers again. “I think he might have her in that greenhouse or the stables maybe. Have you guys been here before?”

“Yeah.” Wily nods.

“Teah and I have come out here before.” Grady points into the bushes and quickly describes the layout.

“Okay.” I visualize what he’s saying. “Okay, Wily can you flank the left side, and if you don’t seem them in there, head toward the stables, do a systematic search from north to south?”

“Got it.”

“Grady, you start on the right and follow through to the barn. Sienna and I will check the car, then head to the front of the greenhouse. Hopefully one of us can catch him somewhere along the way. Be quiet. We don’t want to scare him off.”

“What if he’s not here?” Sienna blurts.

I squeeze her hand. “We’ll check this area and deal with that question once we know for sure.”

Her head starts to bob again, and I can feel her waves of panic washing over me.

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