Page 58 of Found By You
“But it tracks,” Noah nodded. “It tracks.”
“So you left your brother, but you can’t get ahold of him?” Damon asked, his expression shifting.
Something in his tone made my blood run cold.
Azalea must have felt it too, because she stepped forward, her body tensing. “Yes. Do you know something?”
Damon exchanged a look with my father before answering. “I’ve been making calls since we talked, trying to track down any information related to your case. About five minutes ago, I got a call from Denver Memorial Hospital.”
Azalea swayed slightly.
“A man was brought in five days ago,” Damon continued. “Gunshot wound to the chest. No ID. He’s been in a coma until this morning.”
“Is it Greg?” Azalea’s voice cracked. “Is it my brother?”
“They don’t know,” Damon said. “But the timing fits. And he matches the general description I gave them based on what we knew about you.”
“I need to go.” Azalea turned to me, her green eyes fierce with determination. “I need to go to Denver right now.”
“I’m coming with you,” I said without hesitation.
“McCrae—” my mother started.
I cut her off. “I’m not letting her go alone.”
Kayla jumped in, her timing as terrible as always. “Wait, Azalea—are you married? Do you have a boyfriend back in Texas?”
“Kayla!” I snapped, heat rushing to my face. “Is this really the time?”
The entire room went silent.
Azalea looked nervous for a moment, then turned to me with a soft laugh that somehow cut through the tension. “No, I’m notmarried. No boyfriend.” She put her hand out to me, a small smile playing on her lips despite the gravity of the situation. “And this might be the wrong time to say it, but maybe I’m seeing this guy I met a couple of days ago here in Refuge Falls?”
Something inside me broke loose. I took one quick step closer and pressed my lips to hers. Brief, but unmistakable. When I pulled back, her eyes were wide, but that smile had grown.
My family let out light laughter. Canyon whistled. My father cleared his throat, trying to hide his smile.
“Well,” my mother said, her eyes twinkling, “I guess that’s settled.”
The moment passed.
Azalea pulled me toward the door. “I’m sorry, we have to go.”
My father stepped forward, his weathered face drawn with concern. “Son, you need to think about this. If what she’s saying is true, there are dangerous people involved. People who might be looking for both of them.”
“All the more reason she shouldn’t go alone,” I argued.
Noah pushed away from the wall. “Dad’s right, McCrae. This isn’t some small-town dispute. We’re talking about organized crime, potentially.”
“I don’t care,” I said, my voice harder than intended. “I’m going.”
Canyon moved to stand beside me, surprising everyone. “Then I’m going too.”
“No,” I said firmly. “You need to stay here. All of you.” I looked around the room, meeting each family member’s eyes. “If something happens to us, I need to know you’re all safe and ready to help.”
“McCrae,” Kayla said, her voice small, “what if you don’t come back?”
The question hung in the air like smoke. I couldn’t answer it.
