Ravenous (Steel Brothers Saga 11)

“A private security company handles them. I’ll call them.” He looked to his computer screen. “I just have to find the right number.”

Red anger—or was it fear for my poor mother?—pulsed through me. “You’re completely useless. I hope you’re ready to lose your job over this. I want you to call Barry right now and get him out here. I have a lot of questions for him.”

He didn’t speak to me but did as I asked. In a few minutes, Barry appeared.

“The person who took my mother today was not my brother. I need you to tell me everything you remember about him.”

“What?” He reddened.

“You heard me. What did the guy look like?”

“I barely saw him. He had dark hair. I’m pretty sure I only saw him from behind.”

“You’ve seen my brothers before, right?”

“Not that I can recall.”

“Don’t you work on weekends?”

“Not usually.”

“Shit. How the hell is a stranger just able to come in here and take a mentally ill woman? What kind of system are you people running? I want to see the manager now.”

“He’s in a—”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass where he is. One of his patients is missing. Get him now!” I balled my hands into fists, frustration and fear overwhelming me. My poor mother. My innocent mother. Anything could be happening to her right now.

God. I couldn’t go there. But the people we were probably dealing with…

I had to get a grip. Had to. For my mother.

The police arrived and took my statement through my angry and scared tears. They questioned everything, and the manager, who finally appeared, was thoroughly questioned, though I wasn’t allowed to witness it.

Joe and Talon arrived while the manager was being questioned, and behind them…

“Bryce!” I ran into his arms.

Talon lifted his brow.

Joe cleared his throat. “I guess they’re together now.”

Talon didn’t look thrilled, but we all had something more important to focus on.

“Where’s Ryan?” I asked.

“We didn’t tell him,” Joe said.

“But he’d want to be here for us.”

“I know, but why put him through this? He’s been through enough.”

“Haven’t we all?” I turned to Bryce. “What are you doing here?”

“I came for you, of course. Do you really think I’d let you go through this alone?”

I burrowed into his chest. If it were possible to love him more than I already did, this deed made it happen.

“I’m sorry. This is your first day, and—”