Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
“No… why?”
His mom wrung her hands “The girls snuck out and neither are answering their phones.”
“What?” He turned to see Hadley grasping onto the nearest doorframe for support.
His father held up a hand. “It could be teenage stupidity but—”
“It could be related to my father. Oh my God.” Hadley put her hand over her mouth, her face losing color.
“I’m so sorry.” Serenity shook her head.
“I don’t blame you for anything.” Hadley walked up to her. “You’ve done more than I could have hoped for when I showed up at the bar. I’m scared but I’m not at all upset with you.”
His mom blew out a long breath of air. “Thank you for that.”
“What happened, exactly?” Zach asked.
“The girls asked if they could have a late dinner in town with friends, and Layla said Jenny’s mom would drive them home. Once the girls were thirty minutes late, I called to check on them. Layla texted back and said, home soon. When they didn’t show up and stopped answering their phones, I called Jenny’s mother but she said Jenny had been home all night.”
“So Layla lied.” Michael put his hand around Serenity’s waist and eased her into him.
“And maybe they’re just pulling teenage shit,” Zach said, hoping to calm Hadley down.
“I want to call my sister.” She turned and ran for the kitchen, Zach rushing after her, his parents following behind.
Hadley’s hands trembled as she picked up her phone from the counter and touched the screen. “Come on, come on, pick up.”
Too much time passed and finally she disconnected the call and shook her head. “No answer.” She paced the length of the kitchen. “I knew it’s been too quiet,” she mumbled to herself. “I should never have put your family in the middle.” She twisted her hands as she looked past him. “I’m sorry.”
“There’s no reason for you to be sorry, either,” Serenity said. “We just need to find them.”
Ignoring the fact that his parents were in the room, Zach caught Hadley’s hand and pulled her to him. “Hey. Look at me.”
She met his gaze, her eyes wide and filled with fear.
“I understand why you’re panicking but we don’t know anything yet. The fact that they obviously lied to stay out later than curfew is a good sign as far as it not being related to your dad.”
Hadley nodded but her shoulders were hunched down and she’d withdrawn into herself. Not that he blamed her. With all the shit her father was into, there was always a reason to worry.
“The good news is, when I bought Dani’s phone, I brought it home and set it up so I could track her.” He pulled his cell from his pocket and pulled up the information. “Dani’s phone shows her moving down your street as we speak.” He glanced at his parents, then lifted Hadley’s chin. “Hear that? The girls are on their way home.”
Her body shuddered, the action working to shake off her panicked mood. “When I get my hands on my sister, I am going to kill her.”
Zach met his parents’ gaze. “Looks like we’re heading back to your house.”
Serenity nodded in agreement. She glanced around the kitchen, her eyes widening as she took in the kitchen for the first time. “We interrupted your dinner.”
Hadley let out a laugh that sounded sweet to Zach’s ears. “Another reason to throttle them.”
“Come on. We have teenagers to lecture,” Zach said. As his parents turned and walked out of the room, he pulled Hadley close. “When we get home, we will pick this up. In bed.”
She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He inhaled her sexy, arousing scent, his cock growing hard. “You’re welcome,” he told her. And then he reminded his dick that satisfaction would have to wait.
Chapter Fourteen
Hadley and Zach followed his parents to their house. He left her to her thoughts, giving her anger time to grow. “How could Dani be so selfish?” she asked as they pulled into the driveway. “She knows I’d worry!”
Zach placed his hand on her leg and squeezed. “She’s a teenager and they only think about their wants and needs. Trust me, between Layla and the triplets, I’ve seen it all.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
He cut the engine and turned to her. “Stay calm. She won’t hear you if you’re yelling.”
They stepped out of the car and she rushed up the walk.
“Layla Dare, you get yourself in front of me right now! I’ve been worried sick!”
“Sounds like we don’t have to worry about you yelling, Serenity is doing it for you.”
They ran inside and stopped short as the girls came to greet them. Layla’s eyes were red as was the tip of her nose. Her makeup was smeared and she had tear streaks on her face. Dani stepped beside her, her head down, as if she couldn’t meet anyone’s gaze.