Page 32 of Ruthless Possession
I squeeze Morgan's shoulder. "Your dad's right. We need eyes on the school."
She looks between us, worry etched across her face. "What about Charlie? If her father is dangerous?—"
"We'll find her," I promise. "Greyson's already working on it."
Matthew opens the passenger door of our truck. "Let's get you home. We can figure out our next steps there."
The drive back to our house is tense. Morgan sits between us, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. I can feel the questions building inside her, the fear she's trying to control.
"We should have told you," I say finally. "About the pattern we saw."
She shakes her head. "You did tell me. I just didn't want to believe it."
"Men like Harris are good at hiding," Matthew adds. "They build trust, create doubt. It's not your fault for not seeing it sooner."
Morgan stares out the window. "I keep thinking about Charlie. Those shoes. The way she looked at her father."
My jaw tightens. "We'll find her, Morgan. I promise."
Our house comes into view, its clean lines and warm colors a stark contrast to the darkness we're facing. I scan the property as we approach, looking for anything out of place, like a car that shouldn't be there, movement in the trees.
"Everything looks normal," Matthew confirms, his eyes doing the same assessment.
We park in the driveway, and I help Morgan from the truck, keeping my body between her and the street. The three of us move toward the front door, falling into a familiar formation.
Inside, I lock the door and move to the front windows. Matthew is already checking the back, a silent, mirrored efficiency between us.
"This is ridiculous," Morgan says, watching us. "We can't just hide in here forever."
"We're not hiding," I tell her, turning from the window. "We're being smart. We need to assess the situation, gather information, then make a plan."
Matthew nods, already pulling out his phone. "I'm calling Greyson, seeing what they've found."
While he talks on the phone, I lead Morgan to the couch, sitting beside her. "I know this is scary," I say, taking her hands. "But you're not alone. Not anymore."
"I know," she whispers. "It's just… I've spent so long taking care of myself while you were gone.
Matthew hangs up, his face grim. "That was Greyson. They found his car."
"Where?" I ask, standing.
"Abandoned in a parking garage downtown. Empty." He runs a hand through his hair. "No sign of him or Charlie. The club's checking hospitals, bus stations… everywhere."
Morgan's face pales. "You think he's running?"
"Or planning something," I say. "If he's left his car, he's either got another vehicle or he's on foot."
"What about Charlie?" Morgan's voice breaks. "If he's running, would he take her?"
I exchange a look with Matthew. He wouldn't hurt her. But he would use her. We both know it.
"The club has eyes everywhere," Matthew says, sitting on Morgan's other side. "If she's still in town, we won't be in the dark for long."
Morgan looks between us, her fear a tangible thing in the small space between us. "And if she's not?"
"Then the search gets bigger," I tell her, pulling her closer. "But you stay here. You stay safe. That's the only thing that matters right now."
She gives a small nod, but her gaze stays fixed on the front door, as if expecting the worst to walk right through it. I press a kiss to her temple, wishing I could erase the fear, the uncertainty.
