Page 24 of Dark Knight

Sawyer and Nolan lured me into their late-night snack with the promise of this messy, gooey treat. That night brings a smile to my face. In spite of how afraid I was, Nolan and Sawyer took such good care of me. They didn’t treat me like I was less than. I was just an ordinary girl having a bad day.

Gasping as I realize the memory brings me a feeling of joy, I look for Ariel to tell her about it, but I don’t see her. I can’t say I remember everything because I can’t even picture Nolan’s face; I’m just happy to have recalled something.

Holding the box to my chest, I rush out of the aisle, and as I round the corner, I run smack dab into a masculine chest. “I’m so sorry. Excuse me.”

The person’s firm grip holds me in place. “What’s the rush?” The way he says it makes me still, and I swallow against a dry throat.

“Who are you?” I don’t know if we’ve met. I hope not. It’s always embarrassing to bump into someone I know but can’t remember. Holden and Noelle never blinked yesterday when they came to visit, when I didn’t recognize them. It was nice not to be judged.

His head cocks to the side, and I imagine him being annoyed, so I try to take a step back. “You don’t remember?” Staring into his shrewd eyes, I try to regain a shred of anything, even a feeling, but nothing comes.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t.” Embarrassment colors my cheeks, but he doesn’t move away, doesn’t say anything more. He just stares at me.

A hard glint enters his eyes, and before I know what’s happening, there’s a prick in my neck from behind, and I’m immediately dizzy. “What–“ I don’t get to finish as the edges of my vision quickly darken, and I’m dumped upside down as I’m carried through the store. My ears buzz, and my head swims as I dry-heave against the man’s back right before I’m thrown into the back of a vehicle.

Chapter10

Nolan

“What!” Never in my life have I yelled at my parents. Not when they told me something happened to Lake but couldn’t figure out what. Not when they were pissed I’d enlisted because Mom was terrified I wouldn’t come home. Not even when Holden and I disposed of the bodies of Noelle’s parents, and they didn’t like that we wouldn’t reveal where.

“Where the fuck is she? Why wasn’t someone with her?” Slamming my fist on the table in front of me, I gain the attention of a few guards and realize I must calm down, or they’ll send me back to my cell. I can’t afford to have that happen. “Where the fuck is James? Why aren’t I out yet?”

“I’m so sorry, Nolan,” Mom cries, and I know she feels awful. I don’t blame her. I don’t really blame anyone but myself for not being out of this hellhole yet.

“I know, Ma. It’s not your fault.” I wish I could hug her, but this fucking tempered glass keeps us apart.

“James is working overtime to get you out. The sheriff’s accusations are holding a lot of sway,” my father says, but I can see he’s got an idea to have the man change his mind. “Two days tops.”

I need to accept that because I can’t do anything else. “I assume Holden and Daniel have checked all the surveillance around the supermarket?” Dad nods. “What about her parents?”

“They’re still at the campground. Haven’t left.”

“The sisters?” Those catty bitches didn’t show any more love to my girl than her stepmother did. I wouldn’t put it past them to have done something.

“They spend more time on social media and taking photos for it than actually paying attention to the world around them.” Dad shakes his head at their nonsense.

“She was so happy to have known just a few things she likes, Nolan. I just wanted to try something new. I wanted to help her.” Tears hover in Mom’s eyes, and I fucking hate it. She’s the best person I know and doesn’t deserve how she feels right now.

“I know, Ma. Don’t blame yourself. You’ve treated her ten times better than anyone before you. You’re the mother she deserved to have, and if it’s the last fucking thing I do, you’ll be the one she gets.”

“Times up!” one of the guards yells.

“We’ll find her, son; just be safe in there. How’s the kid?” Dad likely has to report back to the MC on how Griff is doing.

“He’s fine. His cell is next to mine. The cellmate won’t touch him after the things I promised to do if one hair on his head was out of place.”

“James is on it. He’ll get you both out.” With that promise from Dad, I’m escorted from the visitors' center and to one of the communal rooms.

Seeing Griffin at a table playing a game of Solitaire, I sit across from him as some of the rowdier inmates are let in, and a fight erupts over the lone TV in the corner.

“Why you in here, Griffin?” There’s more to the story. There always is.

“I’m gay. The deputy who arrested me caught me and his son together. He decided I was assaulting Adam. I wasn’t, and he arrested me.” He acts like it's no big deal, but I see the hurt in his eyes.

“How’d your sister get involved?”

“You know she’s part of the club, right?” I confirm that I do. “She’s not one of the pass-around girls. She works behind the bar. Been in love with the SAA for longer than I could ever say. The deputy thought she was fucking the guys there, but she only serves up drinks on the weekends and does the books for their shop during the week.”

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