Page 54 of Just Another Chance

20

TANNER

Quickly killing Randy would be showing him mercy, in my opinion. I don’t want to upset Addie more than she already is, but I’m worried. Her stepfather is a selfish prick, and I wouldn’t put it past him to sell Owen on the black market. But I would never tell Addie that. Instead, I whisper soothing words of comfort and promise her everything is going to be okay.

And I hope to God that I’m right.

The police show up and I wrap my arm around Addie and do my best to comfort her as she explains the situation, giving them as many details as possible and clearly answering their questions. She’s doing an amazing job when I know that she’s falling apart on the inside and crumbling with worry. When she tells the officer how he had stopped over and Randy threatened her, I am pissed. Then when she says a loan shark showed up here, I am in a state of absolute shock and beyond livid.

How dare these assholes threaten her and then steal Owen away in the middle of the night. I’m trying to keep it together and not lose my shit, but it’s getting really damn hard. After taking her statement, the police promise they will do everything in their power to find Owen and they immediately issue a bulletin with Randy and Owen’s description and picture.

Normally I’m cool and in control, the most level-headed of my siblings, but right now I am furious.

I walk the policemen out and go straight back to Addie. She’s sniffling into a tissue, and I sit back down beside her on the couch. I’m upset about everything, but especially because she didn’t reach out to me sooner.

“Sweetheart, I am so sorry for what I said the other day. I know we had a fight, but why didn’t you call me the second Randy showed up? Or the loan shark? You know I would’ve dropped everything and ran straight here. Right?”

Addie looks into my eyes, her dark brown gaze tear-bright and devastated. She nods and I drag her into my arms.

“Yes, I know,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around my neck and holding on for dear life. “And I’m so sorry, too, Tanner. I never meant to keep Owen a secret for so long. All I ever wanted was to be with you.”

My heart expands. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted too.”

She pulls back and swipes a hand over her eyes, brushing the wetness away. “We need to find Owen. If we don’t-”

“We will,” I say. I run a hand up and down her back, thinking. And it occurs to me that I have someone who can help us track Randy down probably way quicker than the police. I pull back and yank my phone out of my pocket. “I know who can help,” I tell her.

“Who?” she asks, eyes filling with hope.

“My brother.”

“Nash?”

I shake my head. “No. Sawyer.” Even though it’s after three in the morning, Sawyer picks up right away. He once told me that he doesn’t sleep very much and the military never allowed him much sleep, anyway.

“Tanner? What’s wrong?” Sawyer asks. Even though it’s so late, he sounds wide awake.

“Sorry for calling so late, but it’s an emergency.”

“I was up. What’s wrong?”

“Addie’s stepdad broke in and kidnapped Owen a few hours ago. He’s demanding she pay him $50 thousand dollars. There’s also a shithead loan shark threatening her.”

“Fuckers,” Sawyer swears. “What can you tell me about the stepdad?”

I look over at Addie and nod encouragingly. “Tell him everything you can.”

Addie releases a shaky breath and starts spilling every piece of information about Randy that she can think of– from his full name to what he looks like to where he hangs out and what he likes to do.

Ten minutes later, Sawyer tells us he’s calling a couple of contacts and will cash in favors to get answers.

“I should have his location soon,” Sawyer says, voice steely. “A couple of hours maybe?’

“Thanks, Sawyer.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll find Randy and get Owen back tonight. I’ll be in touch.”

We thank him and I disconnect the call.

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