Page 116 of Merciless Monster

“I’m sorry, Arnold. I don’t know what’s keeping Mia. Something is off. This doesn’t feel right. I should never have let her go.”

“What other choice did we have? Do you thinkIwanted to let her go out there by herself? But if they see either of us, she’s as good as dead.”

Mia’s father is right. I had no choice. But it’s been two hours. What could be taking so long? I daren’t call Mia’s cell either, in case she’s not alone.

“When’s Mom coming home, Daddy?” Angelo asks as he and Splash mosey into the living room where his grandfather and I are struggling to maintain our sanity.

“I’m sure she’ll be along soon, son.”

“How about we play that game of catch now?” Arnold suggests.

“Good idea,” I add. “Angelo, go fetch your mitt, son.”

“Okay,” he says excitedly, dashing off to his room.

“If I don’t hear from Mia in half an hour, I’m going down to the deli,” Arnold insists.

“I should go.”

“You don’t know where it is.”

“I do have a GPS.”

“No. If they see you, it’s all over.”

“Are you sure, Arnold?”

“Of course. Wouldn’t you do the same for your child?”

“Of course. But I can’t let you go alone. You’ll take one of my men with you.”

“Fine.”

“I’m ready!” Angelo calls from the back door.

“Coming,” Arnold calls back.

The back of the property is fenced off, so no one can see into that part of the yard. That’s where we play catch for a while until I just can’t take it anymore. Something is wrong. My gut tells me so.

Arnold keeps looking at his watch too. There’s no more time to dick around. Mia should have called by now. It’s time to spring into action.

“I’m not waiting one more minute. I’m going,” Arnold says as soon as Angelo goes inside to get a drink.

“Yeah, you’re right. Something’s wrong. Mia should have contacted me by now.”

I call my men into the office. My cell phone rings unexpectedly. It’s Lucian.

“What’s happening? Where are you? Where is Mia? Is she okay?”

“I’m sorry, boss. She’s gone.”

My blood pressure shoots up instantaneously.

“What the fuck do you mean?!” I shout at the top of my voice.

“She went into the bathroom and then she just vanished. I’ve been driving around looking for her.”

“You’re a dead man, you fucking idiot! A dead man! Don’t come back here. I never want to see your face again! If I as much as smell you, I’m going to kill your whole family. Do you fucking understand me?”

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