“Ma’am!”
Aiden tried to argue, but Patricia didn’t give her the chance. She flung open the car door and walked away without a second thought.
Sara and the others had just finished their barbecue and were heading back inside when they saw Patricia’s car tearing out of the driveway, her whole vibe practically crackling with anger. Instantly, a bad feeling settled over the group.
“Wasn’t that Aunt Patricia?”
“What happened? Why is she leaving the mountain now? Did she and Uncle Oliver fight?”
“Let’s follow her and see,” Colton said, turning the steering wheel hard at the roundabout to chase
after her.
They followed Patricia all the way toward Riverdale County Jail. Real estate in Riverdale was insanely expensive, so of course the jail was way out in the county, nowhere near the city center. Even taking the highway, it was at least a ninety–minute drive from Cloud Peak.
The whole way, Patricia’s mind was spinning. She kept replaying everything, trying to figure out if what she was about to do even made sense.
Back at Cloud Peak, Aiden watched Patricia disappear and immediately knew she’d messed up. She rushed off to get Johns to report upstairs, but before she could, Oliver came down in his pajamas, worry written all over his face. He looked around, didn’t see Patricia, and his tone turned sharp.
“Where’s Patricia?”
Aiden ran into the living room, barely stopping herself from slipping. “Sir, Jackson’s in trouble. She
went to find him.”
In a split second, the peaceful house felt like it was filled with storm clouds.
Oliver didn’t hesitate. He was already heading upstairs to change, barking orders over his shoulder. “Get the helicopter ready. Put a team together.”
A wave of tension swept over Cloud Peak.
When Oliver came downstairs, dressed and phone in hand–probably calling Patricia–everyone could see the anger simmering beneath his calm. But when he spoke, his voice was gentle. He sounded like he was soothing a child.
“Hey, listen to me. Pull over at the next rest stop and wait. I’m almost there.”
“If Jackson really is in danger, you going in alone won’t help. You might even blow our cover.”
“Pattie, I’m your husband. Let me help, okay? Give me something to do. Please?”
Aiden glanced at Oliver in the rearview mirror, her grip tight on the steering wheel, hands suddenly clammy. The way Oliver could be terrifying and soft all at once was seriously intense.
“Pattie?” Oliver called again, waiting for a reply.
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Chapter 294
Patricia let out a long sigh. “Just get here. Fast.”
Mr. Padilla’s relief was obvious. “I’ll be quick. Send me your location.”
The second the call ended, the anger Oliver had been holding back rushed back in. With Patricia out of reach, he didn’t bother hiding it.
The helicopter was in the air within minutes.
Patricia sat in her car, staring at the little dot moving across her GPS, heart pounding in her chest. She checked the time over and over.
Suddenly, someone knocked hard on her window, making her jump. She turned to see Sara standing there.
“Aunt Patricia?”
“Sara? What are you doing here?” Patricia’s surprise was obvious.
“We saw you rush down the mountain and thought something was wrong, so we followed you,” Sara said, glancing back over her shoulder.
That’s when Patricia noticed all three kids were there.
“Your Uncle Oliver’s on his way. You guys should go home.”
“Is something wrong?” Colton asked, worry clear in his voice.
“It’s nothing, really. Please, just head back,” Patricia said, trying to keep her voice calm. She could risk herself, but there was no way she’d involve someone else’s kids.
“Aunt Patricia-” Sara started, but the roar of helicopter blades overhead cut her off.
Patricia finally let out a shaky breath.
“Out of the car. I’m driving now.”
Oliver opened the door, unbuckled Patricia’s seatbelt, and lifted her gently into the passenger seat.
Chapter 295
Chapter 295
