Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“Not really. I guess I never asked.”
“Does your father have a phone number?”
She scratches the side of her head. “I’ve seen him talk on the phone. But I don’t know the number.”
I cock my head. “How can that be? Didn’t you need to give a phone number to the administration at your school?”
“I don’t go to school. Mom teaches me at home.”
“Oh.” Makes sense, except… Griffin was taken when she was five years old. She had never even been to school. How could someone who never had any education teach another? Did Malcolm teach her? Did she somehow learn on her own?
So many questions, and I have no answers.
When my sister was taken, she didn’t even know how to read.
“What kind of things did your mother teach you?” I ask.
“The alphabet. Some songs. Colors, shapes.”
“Do you know how to read, Bridget?”
She frowns. “A little bit. I recognize some words. Mom is better at it than I am.”
Dear God…
Putting this young girl in the care of the state would be such a mistake. She has so much to learn.
But again, I don’t have a choice.
“Bridget, I’m going to have to call the police and social services.”
“Please, don’t.” Her face twists. “My father promised you’d come and take care of me.”
“Did you get the idea, Bridget, that when your father left you, he wouldn’t be coming back?”
She nods. “He said he won’t be back. That he was leaving. That he had to, because if he didn’t, the police would take him away.”
“I see.”
“Please don’t call them.”
“I wish I didn’t have to. But like I said, if I take you without the legal right to, I’ll get in big trouble. Then I won’t be able to help you. So I need to call them.” I kneel, grab her hands. “But I promise. I promise I will find your mother. And when I do, she will get you back.”
“I’d rather stay with you.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“You’re my uncle. Mom told me all about you. I know you.”
I want to take her into my arms, kiss the top of her head, and promise that I’ll protect her always. Something I couldn’t do for Griffin, but maybe I can do for this young lady.
She’s older than Griffin was, but I’m older now too. I’m a grown man. A grown man who’s lived through a hell of a lot of hard knocks and still managed to get Diana Steel to fall in love with him.
Hell, if I can do that, I can do anything.
“I have to,” I say again. “But they’ll keep you safe.”
I hope to God I’m not lying to her.
“And I will find your mother,” I say with renewed determination.
Because Griffin is alive.
Not just alive in this daughter born from her body, but alive. I feel it in my heart and my soul. I feel it viscerally in the marrow of my bones.
My baby sister is alive, and I will find her.
Then I’ll find Malcolm Osborne.
And I will make him fucking pay.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Diana
Dragon returns a few hours later, and I gasp when another dog rushes into the room.
He and Teddy size each other up, sniff each other, but thankfully seem to like each other.
“Don’t tell me you found another abandoned dog?” I say.
“No. I found an abandoned girl. My niece.”
I clamp my hand on my mouth. “So it’s true.”
“True enough.”
“Where is she?”
“God, Diana… I couldn’t bring her here. I had to call the police and social services.” His eyes are troubled, and his body trembles.
That must’ve been so hard for him. After what he went through in the system.
“She’ll be okay,” I tell him.
“I hope so. I’ll do whatever I have to do to get her out of there. I need to find Griffin. And if—” He gulps. “If we can’t find her, I’ll do everything I can to get Bridget. Take custody myself.”
I widen my eyes. “Are you ready to be a father?”
“I never thought I’d have children, Diana. But this little girl is my link to Griffin. She’s my flesh and blood. God, she looks just like her, too. Blond hair, blue eyes, the same facial features. Her cheeks are chubby, but she’s thirteen. I wanted to bring her here, get you, and just run.”
“I’m sure.” I run my hand up and down his arm. “But you did the right thing, Dragon. What you’re suggesting would’ve been against the law.”
“I know. I can’t help her from a prison cell.”
“Exactly.”
“I haven’t heard from Alayna yet. They should be in Albuquerque by now. I hope they can find Griffin. Before…”
“They will.”
“When I was talking to Bridget, explaining to her why I had to call the police, I told her I would find Griffin. I promised her, Diana.” He places a hand over his heart. “And in that moment, I had a feeling so strong and powerful that Griffin is alive. But what if she’s not?”