Page 69 of Higher Notes

Me: No. Something happened and Fizzbo had Sikes and Snipe shut me, Mom, and the twins in the securest room of the house.

Easton: Fingers crossed that means this is nearing an end. Fizzbo is the best in his industry, trust in him.

Me: I do. Sikes and Snipe speak highly of him.

Fucking hell. I hoped so.

At some point, Mom and I dozed off and I woke the next day to a gentle press of lips to mine.

“Is Gabe home?” No good morning, straight to the important point.

Snipe shook his head. “No, but we believe they’re nearby so hopefully soon. Mom says breakfast is ready.”

The kids and Mom were already downstairs when Snipe and I came into the kitchen. Mom’s eyes were red and swollen. My anger shot up at what that piece of shit had done to all of us.

“Have you and Sikes slept yet?”

“The three of us slept in shifts.”

In other words, not much.

“Sikes and Fizzbo are on duty now upstairs. Both already ate. I’ll eat with you then I’ll watch the bottom floor.” Snipe took a seat beside me as Mom set a plate and a cup of coffee in front of us.

“Thanks, Mom,” we both said. She smiled, albeit briefly, and patted our shoulders, then started cleaning up the kitchen.

“I’m worried,” I whispered as low as I could. The twins were on the living room floor playing about twenty feet away from us. “It’s been too long.”

“The good thing is there have been sightings showing them moving this way. Unfortunately, the fucker is one step ahead of us. But if he reaches this point, we’ll be ready.”

“Have the sightings included Gabe or just Paul?”

“Included Gabe.”

How could they be that close yet out of reach? Something wasn’t adding up. Snipe’s pleading eyes asked me not to question the system. I only hoped their need for evidence didn’t put my brother further into harm’s way. At least that’s the assumption I was making. There was no way in hell I’d mention that to Mom, or she’d freak the fuck out. I was on the verge myself but knowing Sikes and Snipe weren’t out there helping, their frustration was as thick as ours and they weren’t who I needed to lash out at.

The kids were supposed to be back at school today but at this point Mom wasn’t even sure she’d ever take them back. We’d both be a nervous wreck with them out of sight. How was I expected to return to the road after this?

You’d regret giving up your career after you’d worked so hard to build it and the financial security that came along with it.

Yeah, but I’d regret losing my family even more. And look where the notoriety got me now.

Was every path in life a damned if you do, damned if you don’t scenario?

My phone was blowing up with everyone from my band brothers all the way up to Sal Masterson checking in on us. While I appreciated it, it was overwhelming at the same time. I typed a message back to Sal then just copied and pasted it to the rest of them. I wanted to shut my phone off but spent more time staring at the camera app than was healthy. But the urge to catch even the slightest glimpse of Gabe pushed me to stay glued to them.

Please, whoever is listening, bring my brother home safely.

The therapist Sikes and Snipe saw was about to add a family of five to her client list. It was unhealthy to feel as much rage as I did. For the first time in my life, I wanted to harm another human and that wasn’t like me. Paul triggered this rage and no matter the reason why he did this to us, it was unforgiveable.

I felt for every person out there searching for their missing loved ones. No one should ever have to feel this fear or this pain.

Heavy footfall overhead drew us from our thoughts. Seconds later Sikes and Fizzbo ran down while Snipe headed out with Fizzbo and Sikes’ hulking figure blocked the doorway.

“Wyatt! Wyatt!” Mom cried out. “Did they find my baby?”

“We have word though it’s unclear. Hayden and Fizzbo were asked to assist.”

If Snipe was called to assist, were they looking for a clean shot?

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