Page 115 of Ryder

CRYSTAL

Ade’spersonal alarm goes off and I stare at my phone. It’s never gone off before. We’ve taught him what to do if a stranger comes along, or if he’s uncomfortable at any time and we’re not there. We have safe words. But this is making me break into a sweat.

Ever since the kidnapping, and all the shit that’s gone down at the clubhouse, all of the MC kids have a GPS tracking watch.

“What is it?” Casey asks, frowning.

“Ade’s alarm just went off.”

“Holy shit.”

“Yeah.” I scramble to call Ryder, making sure I keep my tone as calm as possible. Of course, I want to ask him what’s going on. Ade’s alarm went off, and are they okay? But I can’t say any of that.

He picks up on the last ring. “Hey, honey.”

“Is everything okay? You’ve been a while.” I pace, trying to keep my breathing even and my tone calm.

Don’t say it. Don’t fucking say it!

“We’re fine, babe. But we stopped off forice creamand got a little held up.”

Ice cream.

Holy fuck.

Shit. Shit. Shit!

I flap my arms at Casey as she jumps off the stool, grabbing her phone.

Our family code word. Mention ice cream in a sentence and it sounds the silent alarm. He’s under duress.

As the blood pounds in my ears and I think of something to say, Ryder adds, “And before you ask, he’s fine. He’s playin’Crocodileon his watch.”

I don’t know how I manage the next sentence without crying. “Okay, well, drive safely. I hope you got extra ice cream. I’ll see you soon.”

“Be there soon, Sugar.” Ryder clicks off.

I turn to Casey. “Oh, God, Case, something’s wrong. He said ice cream and mentioned Ade’s playingCrocodile; that’s the danger app on his watch.”

“I’m already calling Cash,” she says. “Cash! It’s Casey. Ryder and Ade are in trouble. We don’t know what happened but they’re in his truck, and he used two safe words to let us know they’re in danger… Uh, yeah, I think so… I don’t know… Yes, we’re home, but they were going to get pizza…”

My hands are shaking so much, I can barely hold my phone. Then Casey yells at me to get my attention. “Cash is asking about the GPS?”

I tap onto the app but there’s no signal. I shake my head, then hit the app that links to Aidan’s watch. It’s showing their location. “They’re moving,” I garble. “They’re heading south on I-10. Tell him about Ade’s security app.”

Casey repeats what I say as she continues to talk to Cash. Then my phone starts ringing. I jump as I scramble to answer it. It’s Pipes.

“Crys?” Pipes says. “Just got the SOS from Cash. I’m right near your place.”

“It’s Ryder,” I cry. “And Ade. I don’t know what’s happening, but something’s wrong. He just called me and used two safe words… I’m freaking the fuck out…”

“I’m a few minutes away.”

“No, we’re going to get in Casey’s truck now and follow the?—”

“No!” he barks. “Cash’s orders are to sit tight until I get there.”

Of course, Cash knows I’m not going to sit around crying. I’m going to take action.

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