Page 70 of Love, Always and Forever
To his surprise, Chad laughed. “Damn it, if you weren’t…um, dating my sister, I might even like you.”
Will gave both of them a disgusted look as he knelt down to make friends with the bulldogs. Mikhail liked that both animals looked to him for permission. When he nodded, Sarge and Panda sniffed Will’s hand and let him pet their heads. Neither dog offered up their vulnerable bellies for a scratch, though. He wasn’t the only one not ready to trust the two men completely.
“Tell us where she went.”
The brief truce was over. “Not happening. If she wanted to talk to you, she’d still be here.”
He played another card in the game. “She also left without her wallet, which means she doesn’t have her ID or phone with her. Leave, and I’ll go after her and make sure she gets home in one piece.”
“Fine, but only because I know Amy is too stubborn to come back until she knows we’re gone.” Will stared at Mikhail for a few seconds. “If I give you my number, will you at least text me to let me know she’s okay?”
“Yes.”
The two brothers walked away without another word. Mikhail also made sure they saw him stride into Amy’s house as if he belonged there. He took the dogs with him. Once inside, he made sure the back door was locked and gave the dogs each a treat.
“Good boys.”
He picked up Amy’s pack and shoved her cellphone in it. Was there anything else he needed to do before leaving? Not that he could think of other than giving the dogs fresh water and a little kibble. “Sarge, you stay here with Panda while I go after Amy. Not sure what I’ll say to her when I get there, but I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
The dogs sat side by side, their heads tilted at the exact same angle as they listened to him. Then he led them into the kitchen, where he tucked Panda in his crate while Sarge curled up on the blanket Amy kept there for him.
After letting himself out, Mikhail cut across the yard to his house. He’d take just enough time to finish getting dressed. There was no way he’d catch up with her before she reached the restaurant, but he didn’t want to leave her sitting there too long, especially considering it was unlikely that she had any money with her.
At least Tom would take care of her until Mikhail got there. He understood why she wanted to get away from her brothers, but he hated that she’d taken the motorcycle when she was so upset. He was even more worried about the return trip home. There were no guarantees that the discussion he planned to have with her would go any better. Rather than take his bike or even his SUV, he punched in Jack’s number and waited impatiently for his brother to pick up.
“Jack, I need Dad’s truck, and I need it now.”
Then, instead of letting his brother launch into a full-blown inquisition, he added, “I have to go pick up Amy and her bike. It won’t fit in my SUV.”
None of that was a lie even if it wasn’t the complete truth. Jack was smart enough to figure that much out. He gave Mikhail the address where he was working and then made a demand of his own. Mikhail conceded the point without a fight.
“I’ll be there in ten. And, yes, I’ll tell you what the hell is going on first chance I get.”
As he pulled out of his driveway, he dialed the restaurant’s number. The big man picked up on the second ring. “It’s me, Mikhail. If my friend Amy isn’t already there, she will be soon. Tell her to sit tight. Give her whatever she wants, and I’ll take care of the bill when I get there.”
His friend snorted. “Like I’m worried about that. Anything else you want me to tell her?”
“No, just that I’m coming, and I’ll be alone. See you soon.”
He disconnected the call and concentrated on his driving. Right now the most important thing was getting to Amy as fast as possible and making sure she was all right. Other than that, it was anyone’s guess how this all would play out.
Not for the first time he wished that Joe the man, not just his truck, was waiting to take him to Amy. His father had had a special talent for seeing right through all the bullshit to the heart of the matter. With his help, maybe Mikhail wouldn’t fuck this up completely.
“Dad, if you’re listening, I could use some advice about now.”
Just as he expected, nothing but silence. He did the only thing he could—he kept driving and hoped like hell he figured out what he’d say before he got there.
