Page 9 of Fierce Storm
“Not at all.” He chuckles lightly. “I came prepared. I had these in my car.” He holds out two blocks of my favorite handmade chocolate, only available from a cute little store an hour away, and I gasp.
“You went to Hamilton’s Chocolates? When?”
“I took Isaac last Tuesday. It’s actually a coincidence that I brought it today.”
“I bet he loved that.”
“He did. He knew exactly what he wanted when we arrived. I’m going to go out on a limb and say his aunt has given him some before? He seems to follow in your footsteps when it comes to being a chocolate connoisseur.”
“Someone had to introduce him to it. Don’t worry, I made it clear it was asometimesfood, otherwise Easton’s likely to ban me from seeing him again.”
“I said the same. But I lied.”
Sal fakes a wince and I laugh softly. “Me too. What’s the point of having aunts and grandparents if they’re not going to spoil you?”
“Exactly. So which one?”
“Dark, please. Like my heart.”
“Keeley, your heart is so far from dark, it’s practically sunshine.”
“That’s quite the poetic notion.”
“I try.”
Sal hands me the beautifully wrapped bar of dark chocolate and opens his bar as he walks over to his desk, swiveling his chair to face me. “What are you working on tonight?”
“I’ve got—” My loud ringtone blares from somewhere in my bag, and I groan as I search around for it, smiling when it’s Reed.
“One of your players is calling me after hours.” I fake a frown and Sal laughs.
“Reed, it’s late. What did Luke do this time?” I smile at my own joke until silence ensues. “Reed?”
“Sorry. Hayley was showing me something on her phone. I don’t mean to be calling so late.” His flat tone sets off alarm bells ringing through my mind.
“Is everything okay?”
“No. I should have called you sooner, but I haven’t exactly been thinking clearly. The Jacksonville police called me earlier today.” He sucks in a breath and my own catches in my throat.“Landon passed away. This morning. Hayley and I have to report for more questioning.”
“Jesus. Have you spoken to Zane?” At the mention of Zane, I catch Sal stiffen from the corner of my eye, before he gets up and moves closer.
“He won’t answer his phone. Hayley and I have been calling since we found out and nothing, not even…” He trails off and my stomach sinks.
“Has anyone tried going to his apartment?”
Sal lightly grabs my arm, physically turning me to get my attention, his wide eyes making my heart ache.
Reed begins to speak at the same time Sal opens his mouth to question me, and I hold my hand up to stop him.
“I don’t know where he lives, Keeley, and I doubt any of the others do.”
“Shit. I can look it up. I might head there now.”
“Thank you. Let me know if you have any luck.”
“I will. Try not to stress. I’m sure he’s just ignoring the world while he processes the news.”
“I hope that’s all it is. Talk soon.”
