Page 46 of Stepson

“I didn’t steal this truck! It’s my father’s!”

He chuckles. “I know that dipshit. Who do you think called it in stolen? Now move your feet!” He drags me away from the Mercedes toward his squad before he shoves me into the backseat.

Jeff greets me with a smirk, shaking his head.

“Didn’t think we’d end up here tonight. What he get you for?”

I glare at him, not in the mood for his stupid little jabs right now. I’m fucking furious and there’s nothing I can do about it.

The officer jumps into the driver’s seat, grabbing his radio to call in a tow truck for the Mercedes. I lean my head back and bite my lip, trying so hard not to angry cry and shout every profanity I can think of. Right when I think things are going to be different for me, I’m headed right back for the slammer within the first week of being released. Why do I always think things will be different?

Chapter twenty-four

Bentley

As I drive down Piper Street, my heart thunders in my chest when there’s no sign of Gabe or the Mercedes anywhere. Where the hell would he go? Why isn't he picking up his phone? I know in my heart something bad has happened, but after a few calls to the local jails, he isn't at any of them.

I continue to drive, noting the time is nearing 2:30 in the morning, and I’m not even close to being tired. There’s no way my body would be able to sleep anyway. Not until I know what happened to Gabe.

And then I turn onto 5th Avenue and see the one thing I didn't want to see.

The Mercedes is being hooked up to a tow truck, and Gabe is nowhere to be found. I pull over behind the Mercedes and jump out as the tow truck guy turns and gives me a dry scowl.

"Hey! What are you doing?! That's my truck!"

He groans. "Listen, lady. It's too late for this shit. I have an order to pick this truck up. You can come by the lot tomorrow and pick it up." He turns and continues to raise the truck as if I’m not here.

"Where is the man who was driving it?" I ask while nibbling on my bottom lip.

"Hell if I know. I just got here."

He’s getting on my last nerve. I don't care if it’s late and he’s in a bad mood, I want to get answers, damn it!

"Well, who asked you to pick up the truck?"

He stops lifting the truck and groans before he turns back to me. "Cooper County Police Department. Now if you don't mind, I have a job to do." His eyes fall over my body before he peers at the BMW I pulled up in. "Looks like you can afford to get it out tomorrow."

I scoff, but I won't dignify his statement with a reply. He gives me the information I need, and now I’ll leave. I take a mental note of the towing company and get back in my BMW. I'll need to get both Gabe and the truck out before Marcus comes home.

Pulling away from the curb, I race home and look up the Cooper County Police Department number. If they have Gabe, I'll do everything in my power to get him out.

It rings several times before a grumpy man finally answers. “Cooper County Police Department, how may I direct your call?”

I swallow, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Yes, hello. I’m looking for a man that was brought in tonight. Gabe Price?”

He goes silent before the sounds of a keyboard come through the other end. My racing heartbeat quickly drowns out the keyboard as I pray he’s there; at least I’ll know where he is.

“Gabriel Lee Price was brought in about thirty minutes ago,” he replies dryly.

I let out a breath of relief, but not before my anxiety takes back over. Why was he arrested?

“Can you tell me why he was picked up?”

He sighs. “Vehicle theft, breaking probation, and possession of drugs.”

“What?!” I shriek into the phone. I’m not sure about the last two charges, but vehicle theft? “Vehicle theft for which vehicle? I gave him the keys!”

“Ma’am, I don’t know much more than what this screen tells me. Are you the owner of the vehicle?”

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