When You Were Mine (Stone Lake 2)

“I expect that’s true. But I’m following you to get your family back. I owe you that much.”

“You owe me a hell of a lot more than that. You stole years from me I’ll never get back.”

“I expect that’s true, too. I can’t change the past, son. I want to do what I can to make sure you have a future, though.”

“Suit yourself, old man, but you ride separate,” I tell him, and then without sparing him another glance I hop in the car. Kingston jumps in the passenger side and we peel out. I keep the sirens off, hoping to get the jump on Oakes and his nephew, the monsters who now have my family. I instruct Kingston to tell his men the same. We’ll park at the edge of the turn off to the old high school. With a little luck and a whole lot of prayer, maybe I’ll manage to surprise this fucker.

I’m not sure if it’s Oakes, although he is missing, but if it is him, he better pray I’m feeling generous and give him a quick death. If he’s harmed one hair on Luna or Josh’s head… I’ll make him beg for death for years…

Luna

I wake up with my head pounding. I made my way to the high school and almost as soon as I got out of the car, I was hit over the head. I had such grand plans. I had at least hoped that I could surprise whoever it was, that I would be able to pull a gun and rescue my son.

I was stupid.

I didn’t even get a chance.

I reach up and touch the back of my neck. When I pull my hand back there’s blood smeared against my fingers. I guess that explains my headache. I sit up slowly, my vision hazy. I’m having a hard time focusing, but I try to take stock of my situation.

I’m not tied up and that’s a shock, but a good one. I look around the room, still trying to get my eyes to cooperate. I can see Juniper over in the corner. Her hands have been tied, and her mouth gagged. She’s definitely been beaten, but she’s awake and staring at me. Even from this distance I can see the fear etched on her face, and probably with good reason.

Her shirt has been ripped off of her, leaving her breasts hanging bare. I don’t know if she has pants on, there’s a blanket over her lap, but I pray she does. One of her eyes is swollen shut, and there’s a large cut along the side of her face. I want to cry for what she’s been through, but I can’t think about that right now. I have to figure out what to do to save us all. My gaze travels through the rest of the room and when I see a bundled figure my heart stutters in my chest.

There’s Joshua, he’s lying on the floor unconscious. I stand up, a little too quickly. I almost fall because I am so dizzy, but I keep going to my son. I have to see him; touch him. I cry out, afraid he is dead and forgetting any caution. All I want is my son—that’s all that is important.

“He’s alive, Luna, don’t you worry. I haven’t harmed him at all. I have plans for little Joshie.”

My head jerks around, as I pull my son up into my lap. I look at the man standing in front of me, shock moving through me at the speed of light.

“Larry?”

“Well look there, Mayor Marshall actually knows my name,” he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“I know your name, Larry. I also know your name will be dead as soon as Gavin shows up.”

“You always did have such a misplace of trust when it came to Gavin Lodge. You thought he could save the world, and all he did was drag you down.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I sneer, my hand moving over Josh. Relief washes through me when I feel his heart beating under the palm of my hand. It’s strong, steady, and beautiful.

“How stupid are you, really? I mean a guy leaves you alone, pregnant, and doesn’t look back. He doesn’t try to get up with your ass, he forgets you exist. That should be clue enough that you’re worthless to him. But, what do you do the minute he decides to come back to town? You spread your legs for him. Our resident Mayor who thinks she’s too good to breathe the same air as the rest of us, but you will fuck Roy Lodge’s son like a bitch in heat any day of the week. It’s disgusting.”

“What, are you jealous?” I ask him while looking around the room, hoping to find a way out of this mess.