Page 94 of Single Mom's Mountain Men
"And I told you specifically that they were not to be picked up by their dad."
For the first time, a defensive look appeared on the receptionist's face. "I don't think that's right, to keep a child from their father just because she got a new boyfriend. You never said he was a criminal, and he seemed really distraught about not being able to see his daughters."
"Jesus Christ," Mrs. Weatherby looks to the ceiling, but it doesn't quell her anger because she still explodes, "What is wrong with you? You didn't think there was a reason we specifically noted that they were supposed to never go anywhere with their father? Or did you not care because of whatever stupid prejudice you hold against the Norris brothers?"
The receptionist cringes but still fights back. "The girls confirmed he was their dad and agreed to go with him. I didn't know... I mean he didn't seem like a bad guy."
"He never does," Patty says bitterly and then puts a hand on the shoulder of the still-fuming Mrs. Weatherby. "It’s alright. I know how charming Keegan can be sometimes and he can pretend like he’s the most mundane person ever."
"I’m so sorry about this Patty," Apology and fury are in Mrs. Weatherby's tone. "I told you I would keep your girls safe, and I couldn’t even keep that promise. She's new and I hired her because I owed her dad a favor but I never thought she would do this."
"It's okay." Patty swallows tightly and I can see how hard she’s trying not to lose it again. "Right now, I don't care about any of that. All I want is to find my daughters."
"Let’s go to the sheriff," I say, instantly. If this man is as bad as she says he is, he might be willing to take the girls out of the country. "We need to get roads shut down. And if he just picked them up he couldn’t have gotten far. We may have just missed them. We can call the FBI and tell them that he's on the loose.
"He has people on the FBI on his payroll," Patty responds. "I'm sure that's how they got him out of jail in the first place. But how on earth did he find me here? I left no clues. I left everything behind."
Just then the phone rings. Patty draws it out of her pocket and stares at the number flashing on the screen while growing increasingly pale.
"It's him," she whispers.
I take her free hand squeezing it in comfort. She meets my gaze, swallowing when I nod.
"Hello?" she finally answers, putting it on speaker.
"Is that my Patty cake?" comes the voice of pure evil. She flinches and it reminds me of how she reacted when I called her the name. That’s why she doesn’t like it. It’s this asshole's fault.
I hate him.
And I hate that he sounds very pleased with himself right now.
"Where are they?" Patty asks, tension lacing her tone.
"They’re fine. Asleep in the back seat. I just wanted to call you in case you were thinking about calling the police. You wouldn't be that stupid, would you? I mean, you do want to see your daughters alive again?"
"Please don't hurt them."
He chuckles. "Oh, I don’t plan on it. As long as you do what I say okay?"
Patty's breath catches in her throat.
It takes everything in me not to take the phone from her but I know it’s important to keep him talking. We may get clues from what he says and I don't want him to know that I'm also listening too.
"How did you find me?" Patty asks.
"I told you, Patty cake. I have friends everywhere and one of them spotted you. I told you I would find you if you ever left me, didn't I? And I told you what would happen when I do."
Patty swallows. Her hand shakes as she grips the phone.
"I also know it's you that ratted me out to the police," the bastard continues in that conversational tone. "But it's okay. I forgive you. I understand I wasn't very nice to you then, but in my defense, I was under a lot of pressure. You get that, right Patty? Anyway, I won't be like that anymore. So you're going to come back to me and we're going to be a happy family. Okay?"
Patty bites her lip, her face twisting in anger. And then she chokes out, "Okay."
"Excellent. I'm going to text you an address where you'll meet me in a few hours. And remember, no cops. And no biker boyfriend either. Capiche?"
"Yes. I understand."
"I can't wait to see you again, Patty." And with another laugh, the bastard hangs up.
