Free Darkness Before Dawn by Claire Contreras Page B

to do. I can't step on his toes," my father pleads back.
    "Why? Doesn't the government pay you for justice?" I spit angrily.
    Now it's his turn to rein in his temper. "Brian is a good friend, those people are like family to me. Brian's kids and I have been best friends since we were kids. I don't need you to tell me where my priorities lay. If you're trying to make me feel guilty for not being a good fucking mayor, you might as well save your bullshit. I am a damn good mayor, but I am also loyal to the people that have always been there for me," he says, rubbing his face roughly.
    "What do you know about that old farm we used to go to when I was little?" I ask suddenly.
    I watch his face ashen in surprise. "I...sold it. Why?"
    "Who did you sell it to?"
    "Cole," Camden says dragging a hand over his face. "Why are you asking me about that place?"
    I clench my jaw. "Blake thought it was her grandfather's farm..."
    "It was originally," he replies tiredly. "He gave it to me when I was a kid because I loved it so much. Don't you remember all of us spending our summers there? I couldn't keep it after you were taken. That was your favorite place in the world. I couldn't bear to look at it without you."
    I nod my head, but don't reply. That was my favorite place, but I don't remember ever going there as a family.
    "The only reason I loved going there so much was because of Blake," I mutter under my breath.
    He chuckles. "You were a kid. I'm not going to say you didn't enjoy playing with her, but you always liked going, with or without her."
    "Trust me, I only liked going because I thought she was going to be there."
    He shakes his head. "Okay, if you say so. Just let Brian do what he can, okay?"
    "Sure."
    After we leave their house, I drop off Aimee feeling no better than I did on the way there. My heart still aches, my muscles feel exhausted, my eyes still burn, and my mind is burnt out. The only thing I can think about is Blake and wonder where they took her. Wonder if they're feeding her and what they're doing to her. I look in the rearview mirror when I come to a stop light and all I see is a life-less soul staring back at me. The pain in my eyes no longer a visitor, but a full time resident. He and his buddy rage have taken over every ounce of me and I'm not sure if they'll ever get out; not sure if I want them to until I get my girl.
    A honking car behind me makes me tear my eyes away from myself and look at the streets before me. I call Mark and practically beg him to get somebody in his family to help me get Blake. He finally caves and tells me to go to his house for drinks with him and his nephew. I don't question him before speeding over to his condo before he changes his mind or makes up some bullshit excuse.
    I hand my keys over to the valet and jog to the elevator. As soon as I get in, I hear someone call out for me to hold the door open for them. Fucking A, of course somebody needs to get into the damn elevator at the same time I do. I push down to hold it and slide an arm between the closing doors as I wait for an old lady with an oversized purse and grocery bag to catch up and come inside. I smile politely and step aside, pressing down the button to the forty-fifth floor again.
     

     
    I'm still replaying the incident at Camden and Colleen's house when I reach his door and snap out of my thoughts when it swings open before I knock. Standing on the other side, holding it open for me is a younger version of Mark.
    "Who are you?" I ask, confused.
    He has a scar on his top lip that spreads slightly when he smiles. He's a big guy too, I notice as I size him up. I'm thinking he probably weighs about 220, and he's a little taller than me, so probably 6'3.
    "I'm Connor. I would ask who the fuck you are, but Uncle Mark doesn't have people over too much. I'm guessing you're Cole?" he asks, his voice full of amusement.
    "Yeah," I reply as we shake hands. "Uncle Mark, huh?"
    "Yep."
    I turn around and look at Connor again. He