Page 76 of The Unforgiven
“We’ve had a report of a missing child.”
“I’m sorry to have troubled you,” Gabe said, his voice low. “There seems to have been a misunderstanding. She’s home and she’s all right.”
The officers looked around the room, taking in the subdued adults and the child, who was happily twirling around, her wings shimmering in the light as she hummed to herself. Emma was oblivious to the drama playing out around her, caught up in some childish fantasy.
“That’s the best outcome we could have hoped for. Good night, sir.” The policemen turned to leave, but not before bestowing a look of irritation on Gabe. He’d wasted police time, which under certain circumstances, was a crime.
Gabe closed the door and returned to the front room, where Emma had stopped twirling and was hopping from foot to foot.
“I have to go to the toilet,” she announced.
“Come, darling, I’ll take you,” Sylvia said, ushering Emma out before emotions had a chance to boil over, and closing the door behind her.
Jude stared at Gabe in utter disbelief. “You called the cops? What did you think I’d done with her?” he yelled. “Did you think I sold her on the dark web to pay for drugs, you arsehole?”
“Where were you?” Gabe asked, ignoring the insult.
“We went to a hair salon. I wanted to change up my look a bit before our next gig, and my friend Bridget had an opening.”
Gabe felt a momentary pang of regret when he saw tears of hurt in Jude’s eyes, but he was still furious. “You didn’t answer your mobile. What were we supposed to think?”
“You weren’t supposed to think anything. My battery died and Bridget didn’t have a charger. What’s the problem, mate? We’ve only been gone for a few hours, and Emma had fun,” Jude cried, obviously devastated by the implication that he would have done anything to hurt Emma. “We are back in time for tea.”
“She has colored hair,” Gabe said, but the anger had gone out of him, leaving him tired and overwrought.
“She asked for a pink streak, so Bridget did it for her. It’s no big deal, man. It’s just one strand. It’ll grow out in a few months. She loves it. Did you really think I’d hurt her?” The hurt had turned to anger as Jude advanced toward Gabe, fists clenched.
Logan instantly came between them and put a restraining hand on Jude’s arm.
“I didn’t know what to think, given your history,” Gabe replied. He had no intention of backing down. Emma was his child, and he had every right to be worried. And if Jude’s feelings were hurt, well that wasn’t his problem. “You should have told someone where you were going.”
“Fuck you, man. And the same goes for the rest of you,” Jude said just as Sylvia and Emma returned to the room. “Not you,” Jude amended, looking at Emma. “You are a cool kid.”
Jude stormed out of the house and slammed the door behind him. Sylvia sank into a chair, her shoulders heaving with silent sobs while Emma hid behind the sofa, frightened by the exchange.
“Mum, he’ll be back,” Logan promised. “He just needs a little time to cool down.”
“No, he won’t. And I wouldn’t blame him. We should have had more faith in him. How’s he ever supposed to get better if no one trusts him?”
“What’s going on?” Emma demanded from behind the sofa. “Grandma Sylvia, why are you crying?”
“I’m just glad you’re back,” Sylvia replied, avoiding a lengthy explanation.
“Of course I’m back. It was fun. Why did Jude leave? He said we could watch a film tonight.”
“Jude is a little upset, Em,” Gabe said. “He needs time to think things through. He took you without telling anyone and we were worried.”
“Well, that’s silly. He’s my uncle.”
“I know, sweetheart, but he still should have told someone where he was going.”
Emma nodded, already bored by the heavy conversation. “I’m hungry.”
“Why don’t we all go out for a pizza?” Logan suggested. He glanced at his mother, whose mouth was compressed into a thin line as she gave Gabe a hard stare.
Gabe ignored her. He wasn’t sure if Sylvia knew that Jude was using again, but he did, and he’d had every right to demand an explanation, especially given the fact that Jude kept pulling down his sleeves while they spoke. The leather collar on Jude’s neck did explain the marks Gabe had seen before, so he was glad that at least Jude wasn’t risking his life for an orgasm. Or maybe he was, and used the leather collar to cover up the bruises. It wasn’t any of his business, but he wouldn’t be leaving Emma with Sylvia again any time soon.
“I’ll stay here and wait for your brother,” Sylvia said to Logan.
