Chapter 43
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
EMMETT
Blair’s words shock me, like being doused in cold water. I’m trying to absorb what she told me but it can’t be possible. I saw her lifeless body. I found her. And yet, some little voice nags in the back of my head.
“ When I was going through my father’s office, I found a letter from her. It was addressed to me. I don’t know, it was weird. Almost cryptic.” My brows furrow as I try to remember the words.
“ When I found it, I didn’t think twice about it, you know? I just assumed it was her suicide note to me.” I feel fucking crazy as the next words leave my mouth, “ What if it wasn’t a suicide note? What if she was trying to tell me something?”
I start to piece everything together in my mind. Either I’m fucking crazy, or the possibility is slim, but something just isn’t adding up. I look over at Blair’s concerned face, “ I really thought it could have been her. It just looked so much like her, it was weird . I’m sorry for bringing it up, Emmett .” She rubs her hand down my arm, and I shake my head.
The feeling that something is just not fucking adding up won’t go away. “ I don’t know Blair . What if my father was behind it? What if she isn’t dead? I know it’s far-fetched but if you think this woman looked like my mom, I want to check it out.”
She gives me a little nod. I can tell she feels bad by the way her eyebrows pull lower and she bites the inside of her cheek. She doesn't truly believe that the woman was actually my mom. Hell , she probably wasn't. But my six-year-old self can't help but grasp onto the hope that maybe, just maybe, my piece of shit father was behind some elaborate plan when it came to her death.
Hope is a dangerous thing.
“ Do you remember anything else? Who she was with?” While she racks her brain for answers, I send a message to Eli . I let him know the odd circumstances and ask if he can look into it for me, and see what he can find. Her eyes widen as a look of remembrance crosses her face.
“ Actually , yeah. The guy she was with had some kind of tattoo on his neck. It was a large black ball…” She fades off towards the end, bringing her nail to her mouth and nibbling on it. Her eyes snap to me somehow wider than before, “ It was an 8-ball! He had a large 8-ball on his neck. I hope that helps?” She looks at me with so much determination.
Leaning towards her, I place a soft kiss on her forehead. “ Yeah baby. It helps. You did so good. Thank you.” She smiles up at me and I feel my own form at the gesture. Her eyes bounce from mine down to the dimple in my cheek. Letting out a small laugh, I go to text Eli the rest of the details Blair was able to remember. It’s not much, but with the way Eli seems to find shit, I have no doubt he’ll get back to me quickly.
A few minutes go by before a knock sounds on my door.
“ Yeah ?” I call out.
“ It's me. Can you guys come to my room? Some weird shit is going on.” My heart starts to beat a little harder. I hear his footsteps retreat without waiting for my answer. Standing up, I head to my closet and grab a large sweatshirt to bring back to Blair , pulling it over her head. Grabbing a pair of my sweatpants, I help her step into them and then secure them to her body.
I can’t help but let out a laugh at the sight of her drowning in my clothes. It’s fucking hot. Possession slithers through my body knowing she's surrounded by me. Pulling on my own clothes, I grab her hand and lead her towards Eli's room.
Entering the space, it's similar in size to mine. Yet where mine has minimal furniture, Eli’s is filled with techy shit. In the corner of the room where he’s currently sitting, numerous monitors shine back at me. He sits in front of them, quickly shuffling between all the different screens.
“ That's odd,” Blair states while picking up a pink ribbon with specks of dirt on it. “ Aspen has the same one.”
Eli’s head snaps in her direction and quickly takes the ribbon from her hand, stuffing it into his pocket. Something flashes in his eyes but before I can place it, it's gone. He says nothing as Blair holds up her hands in defense, “ Sorry .”
He doesn't respond, instead, he points to his screen to something that makes absolutely no sense to me. “ With the information you had given me, I was able to hack into the event’s database. It doesn't show much, but it did have records of those who attended. Before you ask, it only has the name of the invited, not their…guest.” He switches through some screens, going between different websites.
“ Here is where I'm getting stuck. This database is nothing like the others I've seen. It's more complex. The files are locked tight but I have a feeling what we need is in here. Give me a few days, I'll try to crack it.” I give him a nod to show my appreciation and grab Blair’s wrist, guiding her out of the room.
“ Emmett ! Get the fuck in here!” He shouts. I’m rushing in the room and staring at the screen. Codes of numbers and random words stare back at me.
“ What the fuck am I looking at?” I say, entering Eli's room. He's been at it for days.
Blair’s small footsteps hit my ears and I feel her come up behind me at the same time Eli’s screen changes, a picture of each member, along with their purchases fills the screen. My eyes lock on the photo of Blair , the same time hers must because a small gasp falls from her lips.
I wrap my arm around her and pull her into my side, trying to give her strength for what lies ahead. He shuffles through photos of people until stopping at one. A man with a large 8-ball tattoo looks back at me.
“ That's him,” Blair confirms, her voice shaky.
As Eli switches over to the file for his guest, I feel my heart halt m id-beat. Looking back at me is my mother. It has to be.
“ Fuck ,” I breathe out. Blair peers up at me, waiting to see my reaction.
“ Emmett , it says Sera is her name,” Eli confirms and my world stops. As if my father has come back from the dead to fuck with my life once more. A parting gift no doubt, one I was probably never meant to get. By the sound of Blair’s soft gasp behind me, I know she didn't actually believe it was my mom.
“ What can you find?” I ask, trying not to get my hopes up before hearing what he has to say.
“ Give me a second. I’m sure I can locate the guy.” I nod even though he isn't looking at me and take a step back. Eli switches between his multiple screens, doing things I can’t make sense of.
His face is void of any emotions as he works through all the information on the monitors. That is, until a small smirk forms on his face. Knowing Eli , it isn't because he found the information I’m desperate for, it's more so because he felt challenged and he won. Eli’s brain is just wired like that. He grabs a nearby pad of paper and starts scribbling shit down. Ripping the paper from the pad, he holds it out to me.
“ This is everything. His name is Ricardo . Here’s the guy's address, when she was sold to him. I’m sorry you have to go through this twice, Emmett .” That's the most sincerity I’ve ever heard from him. He places a hand on my arm for a brief second before he pulls it away.
I give him a nod before gripping Blair and leading her out of his room. Based on the address Eli gave me, Ricardo is only a few hours away. Much like my little obsession, she was right under my nose all this time. I take Blair to my room and tell her to stay there and that I'll be back soon. She just stands there with wide eyes, staring at me as I leave.
Heading to the garage, I get ready to go pay Ricardo a visit. I have a plan to make and a piece of shit to kill.