“We need to find Laurie and get answers.”

“Can’t. Keiran won’t like it.

“Keiran isn’t here, and I have to know why she did this to us—to him.”

“It’s done. Going after her will only look bad. If she calls the police—”

“Take me or I go on my own as soon as your back is turned.”

I expected Dash to get angry or make threats. He simply turned his head with his mouth open slightly. I’d surprised him. “That’s some pair of balls,” he remarked. “Keiran did a real job with you.”

“Well?”

“Fine. But it will take some time to find her. She’s probably gone by now.”

Thoughts of the girls crept into my subconscious, and I began to remember the things Keiran had told me about Laurie’s husband.

“She went back home.”

Like a moth to a flame.

We had just reached the city. Dash didn’t question it. He made a U-turn, heading back toward the highway.

“Are you sure?”

I’d made nothing but mistakes these last few months, but dirty and wearing last week’s clothing, I was determined to see it through.

“No, but we’re going to find out.”

Chapter Nineteen

LAKE

“How did you know where she lived?” I asked as Dash picked the lock. No one appeared to be home. The driveway was free of cars and the house was completely dark.

“Keiran gave me the address when he first staked out the house.”

“When did he stake out the house?”

“He found the time to save your life while you ran away from him for two days.”

“You sure know how to lay on the guilt trip.”

“Because there aren’t many times Keiran isn’t wrong. In fact, I never thought he would ever be right about anything.”

“Your point?”

“You shouldn’t have run from your problems.” The tumblers clicked, and Dash pushed open the door.

Was he talking to Willow or me? I decided not to open that can of worms and said, instead, “Running was the best thing I could have done for the survival of our relationship.”

“There you go again.”

“What?”

“You keep doubting him.”

“You’re wrong. It’s not just him I don’t trust. It’s me.” He stopped walking and waited for me to explain. “Old habits die hard,” I simply said.

We couldn’t find any sign of life. Laurie, the girls, and even Robert were gone. “So what do we do now?” Just as I asked, we came to a door that we had missed. Dash pushed me back so he could enter first.

“Looks like the basement.”

We followed the old stairs down, and my eyes immediately landed on the form sprawled at the bottom.

“Fuck!” Dash rushed over to her and gently flipped her over. We both cringed at the sight of a needle stuck in her arm. He carefully lifted the needle and looked around for somewhere to dispose of it. After tossing it into a nearby trash bin, he tried to shake her awake.”

“She’s sweating and her skin is hot. We need to get her under some water to cool her down.” He lifted her and rushed up the basement stairs, taking two at a time. I followed behind him until we reached the guest bathroom. He gently placed her in the tub while I yanked on the faucet. The shock of the cold water brought her back to life with a cry of pain. When she looked as if she would pass out again, I hit her with another blast of cold water.

“Robert, no. Please.”

“Laurie, it’s Lake Monroe. Where are the girls?”

Her eyes popped open at the sound of my voice. Her eyes shifted unfocused before landing on me.

“Lake?”

“What happened to you? Where are the girls?” I repeated. The silence of the house was haunting.

“Oh God. I think he took them. He took my little girls.” She shivered, and I wondered if it was just the cold water or the thought of him fleeing with her daughters.

“Why did you go to the police?”

“B—b—because he made me.”

“How did he find you?” Dash questioned.

“I went down to Cassie’s school to pick up her homework after she was suspended, and he was there, waiting. I never even saw him until it was too late. He made me take him to the girls and after, he beat and drugged me for two weeks until I just wanted to make it stop. He even started beating Cassie until I told him about Keiran and agreed to turn him in. Oh God, I just wanted it to stop. He hit her so hard. She begged for me to help her. What was I supposed to do?” she croaked.