Page 82 of The County Line
Nothing. Just endless shadows mocking me and poorly lit streets. My hands tighten around the steering wheel, and a strangled cry escapes my throat as fear claws its way in.
What if she’s been hit? What if she’s lying somewhere, hurt—or worse? What if she’s gone for good?
“Roxy!” I shout out the window, tears blurring my vision. “Roxy, where are you?”
I whip the car down a one-way street, headlights cutting through the gloom, but there’s no sign of her. Panic builds, suffocating me, and I slam my palm against the wheel. Then my phone pings from the seat beside me.
I snatch it up, dread already sinking into my chest when I see Jordan’s name flash across the screen.
Jordan:I have your dog. Meet me at 878 Everest Lane. We need to talk. You’ll get her back after you hear what I came here to say.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I yell, slamming the phone down on the passenger seat. My voice echoes in the confined space, and I stare up at the sky as if it holds the answer to why my life has spiraled into this mess. How did things go from actually looking up for once to the absolute pits.
How foolish of me to think that I’d finally found peace and happiness. That I deserved it after all that I’ve been through.
Now Jordan is holding Roxy hostage—just to force me to talk to him. The night couldn’t possibly get worse. Colt’s been gone for only a few hours, and I’ve already failed him. If I can’t protect his dog, how the hell am I supposed to convince him I can handle something bigger? Like raising a family someday?
Tears burn hot trails down my face as I fumble for my phone, my fingers trembling. I don’t want to do this, but I know I have no choice. He needs to know what’s going on in case things get worse here.
I dial Colt’s number, pressing the phone to my ear as I struggle to keep it together.
“Hey baby, we just got to Charlotte. Is everything good there?” his deep voice answers on the first ring.
“Colt,” I choke out a sob, “I’m so sorry.”
His voice drops, rough with concern. “What’s going on? What happened?”
I know—Colt would burn the entire world down for me if I asked, and it’s written in every word of that question.
“Jordan showed up,” I manage to say, my voice trembling. “Someone in town told him where I live… about the duplex. I didn’t hear him pull into the parking lot or see his car before I stepped outside. It must have been hidden behind my neighbors’. I was too busy packing up the kitchen to notice but Roxy could tell.”
“Where are you now?”
“I’m driving... Colt, Roxy ran off,” I choke out, the sob breaking before I can stop it. “She lunged at Jordan to protect me, and…” My words catch in my throat, the memory too fresh, too sharp. I’m supposed to know how to handle situations like this—I’m trained for them—but this isn’t just another crisis. This is personal. Too personal. “He shifted me in front of his body, and she caught my leg instead.”
Colt hisses through the phone. “Dammit.”
“I’m fine,” I rush to say. “Completely fine. But she saw it. She thought she hurt me, saw the blood, and she ran off,” my voice lowers. “She was so scared.”
“Fuck.” His voice is tight with anger.
“I’ve been driving around, looking everywhere for her,” I continue, my panic building. “I haven’t been able to find her. And then Jordan just texted me. He says he has her. He told me to meet him at some address right outside of the county limit.”
“Molly,” Colt says, his voice harder now, commanding. “Listen to me right now. Do not go to that address.”
“I have to, Colt!” My voice cracks, desperation clawing at me. “Roxy’s terrified. She probably thinks it’s her fault—that she hurt me. I have to get her back. I havetosaveher.”
“No, you don’t. I’m coming back.”
“No, you can’t!” My heart clenches at the thought of him missing out on the grand opening that he’s worked so hard for because of me. Because of the ghosts of my past that have come back to haunt me and because I couldn’t take care of his girl. “You’re still on parole, Colt. You can’t violate it this close to being done. It’s too long of a drive and outside of your approved area, and by the time you get here, it’ll be past ten at night. I can handle this.”
“Molly, no!” he barks, his frustration bleeding through the phone.
But I already know what I’m going to do. Even if it means defying him.
“Jordan won’t hurt me,” I say, steadying my voice. “I could see it in his eyes.”
At least, I don’t think he will. And if he tries, this time I’ll be armed and ready.
