Free Darkness Before Dawn by Claire Contreras Page A

family, and yes, Blake is one of them," I answer.
    I can tell it's a lot for him to process, so I give him time before I continue.
    "I met with Blake's grandfather yesterday, Brian Benson—I'm sure you've heard of him," I say, raising an eyebrow, because everybody knows that name.
    "Brian?" Camden gasps. "Blake?" He has a horrified look on his face, and I know it's because he's judging Brian's reputation.
    "Yes, Brian, that Brian. I need help finding Blake. I don't have time for you to sit here and judge whose granddaughter she is," I bite out.
    Camden looks as if I've slapped him. "Judge? You're confusing shock with judging, son. I'm not judging anybody. I could never judge Brian. Hell, Mark is your damn godfather, for crying out loud," he exclaims. My eyes widen at that because I know not many people, if any, know that Mark and Brian are related.
    "How do you know Brian?" I ask suspiciously.
    He smiles. "He's an old friend." His smile falters and he crinkles his eyebrows. "So you're saying that Blake is Liam's little girl?"
    I run my hands down my face. "I don't know who Liam is," I sigh, "I don't know who Blake's father is, I just know that Brian is her grandfather. I do know that Brian doesn't want her father to know that she's alive yet."
    Colleen gasps and she cups her mouth closed. "Oh my god, that poor man," she says as tears fill her eyes.
    "Honey, can you get us a drink, please? Aimee, go help your mother," Camden demands quietly. They don't question him, they just go toward the kitchen and leave me sitting there with my shocked father.
    He turns to me and closes his eyes. When he opens them I see pain. "Liam doesn't know his little girl is alive?" he asks in a whisper.
    "I guess not. Do you think he'd help me find her?" I ask desperately.
    He looks at me like I have two heads. "That's his daughter, of course he'll help…but it won't be pretty. Does Brian know who has her?"
    "He said it was the O'Brien's," I mutter under my breath.
    His sharp intake of breath makes my stomach drop.
    "Then it's best that Liam doesn't find out," he states gravely.
    "Why? You were just looking all heartbroken that this Liam guy doesn't know his daughter is alive and now you say it's best he doesn't find out?"
    Camden's eyes widen. "Your tantrums were definitely cuter when you were a little boy," he says with a huff.
    A growl escapes me as I stand up. "I'm not throwing a tantrum! This is not a goddamn game to me! I need to find my girlfriend and I would appreciate a little cooperation. I'm going crazy over here, can't you see that?" I shout, throwing my hands up.
    Aimee and Colleen run back into the room and straight toward me, putting their arms around me. I'm too fucking pissed to calm down and the only person that has the power to calm me down has been fucking kidnapped by some fucking Irish mob boss.
    "Take a deep breath, Cole. Please," Aimee pleads as she lets me go.
    I do as I'm told and begin to pace the room with my hands on my head. Once I feel like I can speak again, I sit in a chair on the opposite side.
    "Who is Liam in all this? Why do they keep taking his daughter?" I ask quietly.
    "He's Brian's right hand."
    I close my eyes and try to process this. "Why isn't Brian out there trying to get his granddaughter back?"
    "He is, Cole. Brian's a smart man. He thinks things through. He's lost a lot, too. Trust that he's doing his best to get her back."
    None of this shit makes sense and none of it makes me want to trust a fucking mobster. They're the ones that have some kind of fucking pissing contest going on and my girlfriend is stuck in the middle of it.
    "Camden, I need your help. I need you to help me look for Blake. I can't live like this anymore," I plead as I look into his eyes, hoping he can see how serious I am about this shit. If it takes me joining the damn mafia to find her, I'll fucking do it.
    "Cole, the police have searched everywhere for her. If you say that Brian knows where she is, just let him do what he needs