Just Between Us (The Kings)

Panic coursed through my veins.Veda was still missing, and my instincts were screaming at me.

“Hey!” I called out to Bootsy again.

My eyes caught with his as he stood beyond the intersection near the marina. Panic flickered across his face as he jolted and turned away from me, heading toward the beach.

“Hey!” I raised my arm and called out to him. “I just want to talk to you!”

The man glanced over his shoulder but scurried away, weaving between tourists. My boots pounded the sidewalk as I followed him past the marina and onto the long pier that led to Outtatowner’s lighthouse. I was desperate to catch up to him.

“Fucking stop!” Shocked faces swiveled my way. Mothers covered their children’s ears, and the fishermen on the pier shook their heads.

I didn’t give a shit.

Bootsy rattled the handle on the old lighthouse, and when it finally gave way, he slipped inside. I pounded on the rusted metal door. I would tear it off its hinges if I had to.

“I know you’re in there. Open up. Right fucking now!” My fist stung as I pounded against the thick metal.

Both fists pounded on the door, and I yanked on the handle. When the latch broke and the door swung free, I stepped inside. The interior of the lighthouse was cramped, and Bootsy was backed against the far wall with his hands up.

“Please don’t hurt me,” he stammered.

I prowled forward and grabbed him by the collar of his threadbare shirt, pulling his face to mine. “Where is she?”

His lips quivered, but no words came out.

I slammed him back against the metal wall. “I said, ‘Where the fuck is she?’”

“I swear, Royal. We were only supposed to keep an eye on her.” Spittle formed at the corners of his mouth. “But she wouldn’t stop pushing.”

I tightened my grip at his admission that he’d been watching Veda.

My blood was on fire. “You listen to me, you sniveling piece of shit. My father isn’t the only one who can make someone disappear. If I don’t find out exactly what you know, I promise the last thing you’ll see is my face as I choke the life out of you. I will happily spend the rest of my life in prison for the honor of protecting her.”

My free hand wrapped around his throat and squeezed. His eyes widened, and his face turned red when he realized I was deadly serious.

“T-T-T-Terrance!” he choked out.

I loosened my grip to allow him to speak. “What?”

“Terrance.” He shook his head. “Bowlegs. We were at your father’s place. I was supposed to be seen around town to keep our cover. That’s all I know!”

“She went to the King estate?” My mind was racing.

“Yes. She was pushing. Got your father all riled up. Bowlegs was tailing her. I’m just doing what I was told. Please. Please don’t hurt me.”

I released him with a sharp shove and pointed a tattooed finger in his face. “I am not through with you.”

He coughed and nodded. His knees wobbled, and I left him behind in the dim lighthouse. The sun was beginning to set, and a riot of indigo and crimson splashed across the sky as the sun sank into the watery horizon.

I ignored the whispers and sidelong glances as I stormed back up the pier and toward my deserted truck. I quickly fired off a text message to the group, giving them the rundown of what Bootsy had admitted.

A fresh wave of concern washed over me as I read the responses from the text.

MJ

I went to the house. No one’s here, but Veda’s car is.

Sylvie

Duke roped in the family. Beckett spotted Dad’s car at the trailhead. Meet at Highfield House.

Ice shot through me. Highfield House was the main house on Sullivan land. Between the house and Sullivan Farms was the Kal-Haven hiking trail—the same section of land that my father had wanted to purchase before June Sullivan had undermined him.

But what could Dad’s car possibly be doing there?

I swallowed hard when I unearthed one dreadful possibility.

The lake.