29. Thorn
CHAPTER 29
THORN
“The defense motion to dismiss the charges is granted. Mr. Gruber, you’re free to go.”
Grinning, I throw my arms around Carmella as the judge bangs the gavel. For three days, I’ve done nothing but pace my cell and hope that she and the club could get me out. The prosecutor requested that I be remanded into custody until the trial, but Carmella was able to pull enough together before arraignment to prove I was nowhere in the vicinity of Brittany Cragen at the time of her death.
“Thank you,” I say sincerely. “When you told me that the DNA found on the body was a match to mine, I was worried.”
“I had your back,” Carmella says, smiling.
I nod as I step back and scan the courtroom. Abyss and Mark are in the first row behind the defense table, but I don’t see Delaney. My insides twist with panic.
“Where is she?” I ask Abyss. “I thought she’d be here.”
“Relax, brother. She went to the restroom just as your case was called. I’m sure she’s in the hallway, waiting.”
Relief washes over me. We trickle out of the courtroom, and when I step through the door, I sweep my gaze from side to side. Still, Delaney is nowhere in sight.
“I hope she’s okay,” I mutter. “She’s been in the bathroom for a while.”
Carmella rests a hand on my arm. “I’ll go check on her.”
She walks to the women’s bathroom and enters. Not two seconds later, she rushes back out, her expression full of concern.
“What is it?” I demand. “Where is she?”
Carmella shakes her head frantically. “I don’t… She’s not… There’s blood, Thorn.”
I push her out of my way and rush inside the restroom, intent on proving Mel wrong. Unfortunately, the bathroom is empty except for drops of blood on the floor and sink, as well as Delaney’s locket, which is draped over a faucet.
As I grab the necklace, I spin around to race outside and run into Abyss, who’s taking in the scene. His expression is dark and dangerous, mimicking the thoughts in my head.
“Where the fuck is she?” I snarl. “You were supposed to keep her safe!”
I shove past my brother and storm into the hall. Racing toward the exit, I don’t bother to see if the others are following. It doesn’t matter. My only thought is to find Delaney, and if I’m doing that on my own, so be it.
“Thorn, slow down,” Mark calls after me.
Ignoring him, I push open the door and step outside. The sun is bright, and it takes a moment for my eyes to adjust. I turn in a circle to take in my surroundings and look for Delaney. Again, I don’t spot her.
This can’t be happening.
“Try her cell,” Carmella suggests from behind me. “I’m sure she’s around somewhere.”
“Mine was taken from me when I was arrested,” I remind them. “We still have to pick up my stuff at the jail.”
Abyss removes his phone from his cut and dials before thrusting the device at me. “Use mine.”
I put it to my ear as it rings. She doesn’t pick up, but I can hear the ringtone she programmed in for my brothers. I hit redial to follow the sound when her voicemail picks up, and I do that until I reach a garbage can at the bottom of the steps in front of the courthouse.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Mark grumbles when he reaches inside the can and pulls out Delaney’s purse, her phone ringing from inside.
“He got her,” I seethe. “The Phantom got Delaney.”
“I’m calling Jez,” Carmella says, her cell tucked between her ear and shoulder while she snatches the purse from Mark to dig inside. “Hey, girl. Phantom’s got De.” She nods several times, responds in the affirmative at least twice, and then continues. “Yeah, thanks. Have your brother call us.” She disconnects the call and levels her gaze on me. “She’s on it, and Soul wi?—”
“There he is,” Abyss says when his phone rings. He answers and puts the call on speaker. “Yo, Pres, we’ve got a situation.”
“I heard.”
“Great,” I snap. “You heard. Now what?”
“Breathe, Thorn,” Soul encourages. “We’re gonna get your girl.”
“How?”
“Jez is working on tracking the Phantom, but she thinks his laptop is off right now. He’ll have to turn it on sometimes, and we’ll get him then.”
“And while we twiddle our fucking thumbs, what is he gonna do to Delaney?” I ask, my fear tasting like acid in my mouth.
“All of you get to the clubhouse, and we’ll put our heads together,” Soul instructs. “We’ll get her, Thorn. I promise.”
I hear his words, and a sharp retort is on the tip of my tongue, but I keep it to myself.
Don’t make promises you can’t fucking keep.