Page 21 of Where's Molly

Present

2022

My left foot tapsagainst the footrest as I drive down the lengthy gravel road leading toward Molly's house. Or, I guessMarie’shouse, though I'll never be able to call her that. Molly was the name I groaned over and over when I was inside her nine long years ago. And it's the name that still comes back to haunt me during my loneliest hours.

“You could've warned me,” I growl through the phone. I’ve been calling the fucker since the first delivery to Molly’s house, and coincidentally, he’s been busy.

“That was my error,” Legion says, his voice just as deep and toneless as it always is. “I hadn't realized you formed an attachment to her.”

Dickhead. That was definitely a dig.

“Then why didn’t you tell her I was coming? She seemed surprised.”

“I should have,” he concedes. “I let her know a good friend of mine was coming in lieu of Eli until he recovers, and that you were trustworthy. She trusts me so she didn’t seem concerned with your name.”

I sigh. “Why didn’t you tell me she came back?”

I'm pissed that he didn’t. Not because she reversed everything I did to keep her hidden and safe. No, it's because she's been back, within reach, and I never fucking knew. She doesn't owe me shit. Except there's a small part of my ego that hoped she'd want to see me again. The fact that she didn't, only makes me want to prove just how fucking wrong she is for feeling that way. And the problem is I don't know if she'll let me have her, but I do know it won't stop me.

None of this has anything to do with Legion. Not really. He may employ her, but who she was before isn't of much concern to him. The only thing he does make his business is who his employees are now.

“I didn’t know I was required to,” he counters dryly.

I growl beneath my breath. “Why did she?”

He sighs. “If I recall, she has a sister who was given up for adoption before she left. I assume her reasons for returning to Montana may have something to do with that,” Legion says.

I exhale slowly. I only had one night with her. And admittedly, we didn't do too much talking. Although I did know from the news reports after she went missing that she had a much younger sister. Layla, I think her name was.

So, if Molly's willing to return to the one place that caused her so much distress, then it can only be for someone as important as Layla.

“Do you know where her sister is now?”

“Yes,” he answers shortly.

I wait, but he doesn't elaborate.

“Legion,” I growl, my patience waning.

“Do I need to be concerned about what you will do with said knowledge?”

“No.”

He's silent for a beat, but I know I've won when I hear his exasperated exhale.

“She's fifteen years old now, and lives with a nice, wealthy family. And that is not to be messed with, Cage.”

I'd happily fucking kidnap her if that's what Molly asked, but I keep that to myself. Obviously, Legion would find that concerning.

“We're clear,” I clip. “Thanks, man. I'll report when the delivery is complete.”

I toss my phone to the passenger seat, releasing another heavy exhale. There's an undeniable burning desire to know everything about Molly. Why was Layla given up for adoption? And did Molly return, because she wants her sister back? Or to be around for when she turns eighteen?

The obsession is familiar.

It's similar to what I felt when she was first kidnapped. The intrigue of her disappearance and what happened to her—I was incredibly transfixed by her case.

The girl who not onlyvanished out of thin air but seemed to lose her mind beforehand.

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