Ruthless Games

Nero steps out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. “What’s going on?” he asks, confused, as I throw things in my case, shaking.

“Teddy’s gone.”

Just saying the words makes bile rise in the back of my throat.

“What?” Nero crosses the room to me.

“His roommate called me.” I gulp. “He hasn’t been back to his dorm for… They don’t know. A day? Two? I can’t reach him. He’s…He’s gone.”

“Fuck.” Nero immediately begins pulling on his clothes.

I pause, watching. A terrible thought taking hold.

“You didn’t… I mean, your guys didn’t take him, did they?”

“Are you serious?” he asks, turning to stare at me.

I would swear that he seems almost offended right now, but how can he? He’s held the threat of killing me and my brother over my head too many times to act like I’m out of line with my question.

“I need to know.” I demand, freaking out. “He’s a loose end. You wanted him in custody, didn’t you?”

“No. Lily. No.” Nero grips me by the arms. “You need to take a deep breath. I’m sure he’s fine.”

“Are you?” I shoot back. “Can you look at me, and swear on your life that he’s safe right now? That nobody’s got to him as a way of striking you?”

Nero’s eyes flash. He doesn’t reply.

“Exactly.” I tear away. “I swear to God, if he’s hurt because of you, I will never forgive you. Never, do you hear me?”

Sobs well up, I can’t even think of it.

“Shhh,” Nero comforts me, his arms strong and safe around me. “We’ll find him.”

I want to believe him. Still, I pull away, trying to think straight. “We should call the cops in Indiana. The university, too.”

Nero shakes his head. “No cops.”

I whirl on him. “This is my brother!”

“And cops will only make it more complicated,” he insists. “Do you want Teddy getting dragged into all of this? Flagged for the FBI?”

I pause. “But we have to do something.”

“And we will. Right now.” Nero promises. “We’ll go, and we’ll track him down. I swear to you, Lily. I’ll find him, no matter what.”

I exhale, shaky. I have no choice right now.

I have to trust him.

“OK.”

Nero gives a tight nod and pulls out his phone. “Let’s go.”

Somehow,Nero organizes a private jet to take us straight to an airfield near the college campus. Any other time, I would be luxuriating in the privacy and swanky surroundings, but the whole trip is a blur. All I can think about is what might have happened to Teddy; terrible scenarios flashing in my mind until I’m sick to my stomach.

He has to be OK.

I keep in touch with Dustin the whole time, probably driving him crazy with my constant text messages asking about updates on Teddy. But there is no update. By the time we arrive at the dorm, there’s still been no sign of him.