“I should probably go. You stay here.” Since Beau has been away, I’ve been staying at the clubhouse and have had an escort to and from wherever I go. Now Beau is on his way back with what I can only assume is good news, I barely think there’s anything to worry about.

“I’ll be fine, Kell. It’s less than a block away. I have my phone.” I scoop up my bag, starving for food. “What do you want?” I pull out my phone and open up the memo app.

“I’ll have the California grilled chicken and a diet Pepsi, please.” She starts picking up the empty boxes.

“Okay, I’ll be back.” I flick the lock on the front door and push it open. “Lock the door behind me.”

“Got it,” she calls back and I wait for her to click the lock.

The cool November air nips at my skin. I wrap my cardigan around my body tighter and pick up my steps to get to Happy Chef quicker.

The lunch crowd is in full swing when I enter. I quickly place my order and take a seat at the counter. Looking around the diner, I’m thrown off kilter when I spy Mayor Morre sitting in the back booth, his graying blond hair is slicked back, almost identical to Chad’s. He’s wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt, and a gray tie. Playing the perfect part. On the outside, he looks put together, but the strong tick in his jaw tells me otherwise.

He looks in my direction, his cold eyes locking with mine before giving me a quick wave, signaling for me to join him. Knowing if I don’t go to him, he will come to me, I contemplate leaving for five seconds before forcing my legs over toward him.

Beau would have told me if he knew something. He’s only trying to mess with me, I remind myself when I step up to his table.

“Mackenzie, lovely to see you. Please take a seat.” I slide into the booth and decide to beat him at his own game.

“Cut the crap, Morre. What do you want?” I sound braver than I really am, but I run with it.

“I think you know what I want.” He tilts his head, quietly examining me, but I don’t let him throw me off.

“I don’t know where Chad is,” I lie, knowing there is no way I’ll ever tell him the truth. Not when he has no proof.

“You think I’m stupid?” His voice drips in controlled anger. “Chad knew where you were. He left to go find you. Couldn’t get over his fucking obsession.” He looks down at me in disgust, and I almost feel it wash over me. “So color me surprised when you end up back here. Alone.”

“Well, he didn’t find me, clearly.” Instinctively I edge my voice with strength, and straighten my shoulders. “Maybe he found something else to finally fixate on. The last I heard, he went off the rails when I left. Who knows where he ended up. Now, unless there is anything else—” I start to move out of the booth, but his hand comes down on mine, stopping my retreat. I react, trying to pull back, but his grip tightens. His short stumpy fingers trap me in their grasp.

“You have no idea who you’re dealing with.” The vein in his temple throbs as he leans forward and clasps his hold tighter around my wrist. “I know you know something. I might not want this public, but I will make your life hell until you tell me where my son is.”

“Is that a threat, Mayor?” I raise my voice a little, hoping to throw him off.

“No, dear. It’s a promise. You might have the protection of the MC, but for how long? I can’t imagine them being okay with you bringing trouble to one of their own. Say the lovely blonde you’ve been holed up with in that godforsaken shelter this week.”

My back straightens at his words and a disturbing unease washes over me.

Kelly.

“What have you done?” His hold on me starts to burn, but I can’t react. My head is lost in the frenzy of hearing his threat.

“Kelly is it? What a shame you left before my present arrived.” Fear drives me forward. Ripping my hand back, I fall out of the booth, and race toward the door. I can hear his soft chuckle from the front of the diner, and it only fuels me faster. Running back the way I came, the trip takes less time, yet feels a hell of a lot longer.

When I make it back to Missy’s the front door is open and my heart sinks. I’m too late.

“Kelly?” I shout, racing through the front door. She doesn’t answer so I keep moving from room to room. My anxiety spikes as each second passes by and there is no sign of her. I make my way to the back room, and every part of me locks instantly when I find Kelly lying face down on the floor.

“Kelly?” I force my body to react and race toward her, almost tripping over my own feet in the rush. She’s out cold, non-responsive, but I can see her back rise up and down with each shallow breath she intakes. “Shit, shit, shit.” Afraid to move her, I reach for my phone with shaky hands and dial 911.

Through my tears, I give our location and a brief rundown of how I found Kelly to the emergency operator. They keep me on the line, telling me to stay calm and keep talking to her.

Seconds pass, followed by minutes and I realize this is bigger than we thought it was.

Mayor Morre is worse than his son. And now he had a score to settle.

“Please be okay, Kelly.” I reach for her hand and try to fight the tears, but there’s no stopping them. I caused this. My past is never going to leave me.

Once again a Morre is set on destroying my life.

I check the clock again for the fiftieth time and bounce my knee in front of me. It’s been over thirty minutes since they took Kelly, and now I’m getting concerned.