Suddenly, a dark dread lanced through her heart. Finn. Mother’s intuition made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end and she raced to her son’s room. She flung open the door, the air whooshing out of her lungs when she saw that her son’s rumpled bed was empty.
Apprehension gave way to panic and she rushed around the house, calling his name, checking all the rooms and bathrooms. Empty. Every room was empty.
“Finn!” she cried as she rushed back into the living room. There she found Simon, now fully dressed, concern etched on his face.
“What is it?” he asked. “Heather, what’s wrong?”
“Finn! I can’t find him,” she answered. “He isn’t in the house.”
“Where’s Gary?” he demanded.
Hot, desperate tears were already stinging the backs of her eyes. Gary couldn’t just take Finn without her permission if it wasn’t his weekend to take him. That had been what they had agreed to in the custody deal after the divorce.
It might not have been legal, but Gary had done it. Fury was making it impossible for her to think clearly. How could he? How could he put their son in danger like this?
“He’s pissed at me, so he took him,” she replied in a distant voice she didn’t recognize. “Gary kidnapped Finn.”
Chapter 19
“We’ll get him back,” Simon said firmly. “He’s just trying to scare you because I’m here.”
Heather hung up the phone for what felt like the hundredth time. She had been frantically calling and texting her husband for the last twenty minutes, with no answer. Now she was pacing the room with the phone in her hand, while Simon had decided to stick around to support her. “What if Gary does something crazy?” She was shaking.
“He won’t.” He placed a reassuring hand on her back. “You said it yourself, he isn’t a hothead. He’s probably just taken Finn on a fun trip or something.”
“Without consulting me?” Her lips formed a thin, angry line. “He has no right to do this. Gary never spends time with Finn.”
He frowned. “I remember you saying you were lucky to have a co-parent.”
“I was trying to save face.” She lowered her eyes. “I didn’t want to badmouth my son’s father. I know it’s another lie, but I just couldn’t do it. I’m sorry.”
Simon captured her chin in his hand. “Don’t apologize. You did what you thought was right. You’re trying to protect your son, and I respect that.”
“Thanks, Simon.” Her hand covered his and he sensed her fear and frustration. Heather was being terrorized by her bully of an ex yet, somehow, she was being strong for her son.
He marveled at her strength and swore to himself that he wouldn’t leave until Finn was safely back in her arms. Simon would not rest until Heather had peace of mind again. Even if he had to kick the crap out of Gary to do it.
The phone started ringing and she rushed to answer it. “Gary? Where the hell are you?” Heather pushed another button on the phone. “I’m warning you, you’re on speaker now,” she snapped.
“I don’t give a damn if that boyfriend of yours can hear me,” Gary screeched. “You’re gonna pay for deceiving me, Heather!”
Rage made Simon want to start yelling, but a warning glance from Heather made him pause. Yelling threats at Gary was probably just going to make things even worse. Right now Heather needed him to put his ego aside and help her get her son back. Finn’s safety and Heather’s happiness were the only things that mattered to Simon.
“How have I deceived you?” she demanded in an exasperated tone.
“You’re screwing your boss!” Gary bellowed. “What kind of mother are you? You just bring your boss home for sex, with our son in the house?”
“Gary, you and I had sex in the house while Finn was here,” she said. “I didn’t mean for things to move this quickly, but I promise you I’ve made sure that Finn has been separated from Simon. I’ve been as discreet as possible.”
“That’s not good enough,” Gary said coldly. “You can’t just have a parade of men in our house.”