37
blink and fizzle
Cian
“No signal.” I turn my phone to the table, shoving my chair back until it hits the ground.
Ayla’s already up and moving. Christian flanks her with a hand low on her back. His head swivels as if he’s waiting for the boogeyman to jump out and get her.
Liam and I are a split second behind them until I get blocked by our waiter asking how service was. I dodge and weave, looking for Liam who’s in a full-out sprint around the restaurant, his phone lighting up as he goes.
“Excuse me.”
“But Sir?—”
Without shame, I shove past the guy, running full-bore after my brother.
By the time the pig bear man thing jumps in front of me, he’s lucky I don’t swing. I’ll be lucky to make it out of here in handcuffs with my erratic, violent-appearing behavior. Taking a deep breath, I do everything I can to not look as crazed as I am.
“Liam,” I call to no response.
Christian and Ayla are nowhere to be seen.
Cold dread seeps into my body and pools in my gut. I did this. I brought us here. I orchestrated a party that could end in trag— I cut the thought off.Focus, Murphy. Where do I start?
My phone dings, finally receiving signal.
Vigilance24/7 Alert: Phone belonging to Renée Ocotea sounded alert.
Vigilance24/7 Alert: Phone belonging to Renée Ocotea is moving at a rapid pace.
Vigilance24/7 Alert: Phone belonging to Sariah Ocotea is moving at a rapid pace.
Fuck. Shit. Fuck.
My heart falls to my shoes, and my dinner threatens to make an appearance.
I stop dead in my tracks, being jostled in all directions by the waves of people moving around me.
Opening the app, I hit the map icon. Both phones are heading down Colfax almost to C-470. They’re miles away.
Me: I will find you. Be smart.
It’s all I can say to Sariah.
To Renée I send:
Me: We know where you are, and we’ll find you. Hide your phone. You’ll be okay.
Lifting my phone to my face, I dial Liam and tear out to the parking lot.
“Yeah?”
“Liam, they’re gone. Heading west on Colfax. I’m moving out. I need info.”
“Right behind you.”
“What about Emma and Rosie?”