Page 45 of My Shining Stepbrother

“Thank you.” Her voice is shaky yet calm. “This isn't like her, and I'm worried.”

“You're being calm about it. Why?” She takes another deep breath, and I hear shuffling in the background.

“We got into an argument yesterday. I figured she was at a friend's house, but something isn’t sitting right with me.” I run my hands over my face. She was doing so good but maybe with me not being home anymore. Things are turning onto Rachel instead.

“We will talk about this later. I’ll let you know if I hear from her.” She thanks me, but I think she forgets Rachel is my baby sister. I am just as worried as she is because this is not like Rachel.

I hang up the phone and pace a few steps before the panic hits me. Ronnie was at my mom's house, and now Rachel is missing. I turn on my heels and run back to the others. Reese is instantly up and catching me. His body tenses as he feels I'm worried, but he has no clue why.

“What’s wrong?!” He roars as if trying to make sure I hear him.

“Mom can’t find Rachel.” The words sank in. My baby sister is missing, and I have no clue where she could be.

“What do you mean? Does she do this often?” My dad steps forward, trying to get closer to me, but Reese blocks his grasp.

“Never! She said Ronnie came by the house earlier asking about me. Rachel didn’t go to school, and now she isn’t answering her phone. I have a bad feeling about this, Reese. I need to try to call her.” Reese nods as he lets go of me slowly.

I call Rachel, and it goes to voicemail on the first ring. I keep trying, but the sinking feeling comes back after the fifth call. She always answers my calls and never turns off her phone. Something is seriously wrong. I shake my head at Reese, and he goes right into his boss mode.

“Trigger just texted and said he is five minutes out. We will find her, Rose, I promise.” He steps closer, wrapping his arms around me again. His safe comfort is holding me up right now, or I may collapse where I stand.

“We have to. I know this was Ronnie. It had to have been him. I will never forgive myself if he did something to her.”

“Matty, can you start tracking her phone to her last location?” Matty has a hopeful look in his eyes.

“I will try my best until Trigger gets here. Rose, I need her number, please.” I give him her number without hesitation, and he types it into his phone. He starts to run her number for locations.

“This will take about fifteen minutes.” His words pierce into my head.

“We need something before that!” I shout at him, but I know it's not his fault.

Reese takes my face in his hands, and a few tears spill over. I'm scared shitless, but it's not about myself. His eyes feed into mine, calming my insides. “Rose, he is going as fast as he can. There is nothing else he can do right now, baby. I know you are worried and scared for her, but we are all trying to help as much as possible.” His voice was low and calm, soothing me.

“I know, but she is only sixteen, Reese.” I press my head against his chest, breathing in his scent. “She is my baby sister.” I start to cry into his chest harder as he holds me tighter. My body shakes, but he never lets go. He is my strength.

After five minutes of me going from pacing to Reese holding me, a tall, serious, well-groomed man walks down the steps. He walks over to Matty, smacks him on the back of the head, and grabs his phone from him. He walks over to Reese, looking between the two of us.

“Package is upstairs in a chair.” He says with a stern tone.

“Thanks, brother.” Reese smacks his hand down on his shoulder before he turns both of them toward me. “Rose, this is Trigger.”

He puts out his hand for me to shake. I take it, gripping it softly. “Wish we met under a different circumstance.” I say to him with a calm voice.

“Hello, Rose. I’ve heard a lot about you. This one talks nonstop about you.” He lets go of my hands and points his thumb to Reese. Something about the simple interaction makes me smile.

“Well, we will have to talk about that later. Right now, I’m on a mission.” He nods in acknowledgment.

I start to walk up the stairs, and Reese follows. In a chair alone by himself is Ronnie. He sits there with a smile on his face directed at me. I can handle this, I know he has her, and I’m going to find out why he took her and where she is. I don’t care; he taught me to get what I want without an ending in sight, and that is precisely what I plan to do.

Chapter 23

- Rose -

Standing in front of a smiling Ronnie, I am growing angrier by the minute. He can’t know that, but I know he can tell. He used to love pissing me off and making me mad. I squat down to his level and look him straight in the eyes. I don’t know who I am right now.

“Listen, Ronnie; I will make this easy for you.” I keep my tone calm and directed. “Tell me where she is, and this goes fast.”

“Fuck you.” He spits down at my feet. I see Reese try to take a step forward, but Matty pulls him back. “You are mine and always will be. I changed you and did things no one else could.” His sickening smile grows as I'm sure the memories play over in his mind.

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