Watching Ari’s face go white with terror was something I wouldn’t forget for a long time and never wanted to see again. I swore I had a direct line to the fear ripping through her system when that call came through.

My first instinct was to strangle Heath for letting this happen, but I knew that wasn’t fair. Neither Ari nor her brother had realized how bad their dad was until recently, and this had to be the last thing they expected. Up until a few days ago, he’d been living alone. According to Heath, there hadn’t been many warning signs except a sprained wrist from a fall.

I’d been on the hunt for more than one elderly person who had wandered away from home, but this was personal. I would do whatever it took to make sure Mr. Sampson was safe as soon as fucking possible.

Breaking every speed limit, I made my way to Heath’s house as fast as I could. When we got there, three black-and-whites were parked out front with their lights on. I wasn’t sure how I would be received by my former colleagues, but I didn’t give a damn. This was more important than bad blood.

Heath was outside, poring over a map spread across the hood of a squad car. Good, that meant they were working out the search parameters.

Ari jumped out of the Jeep before I could open her door and rushed to her brother. He caught her in a hug, looking just as panicked as she did. As I got closer, I heard him whisper “I’m sorry” to her over and over.

An officer I didn’t recognize spoke up. “We’re gonna get more units out, and we’ll notify all the news and radio stations. If you have any other friends and family that can help search, call them too.”

Ari’s expression crumpled. “It’s just us. We don’t have more family. Dad is all we have.” The pain in her voice jabbed me in the chest.

“It’s gonna be okay, Flounder. We’re gonna find him,” Heath promised. He finally looked up and noticed me. “Thanks for getting here so quick.”

The officers around the hood of the car glanced my way as well. Flashes of recognition streaked across their faces, but I wasn’t about to waste time with introductions.

“Put me to work. I can help.”

All business, the officer in charge handed out assignments and copies of the list Heath had made of all his dad’s favorite places, and we moved out.

Ari was selected to stay at Heath’s house in case her father returned. Everyone had her cell phone number to notify her as soon as someone located him.

Before I jumped in my Jeep, I stopped in front of her and gripped the back of her neck, turning her face up to mine. I pressed a hard, quick kiss to her lips.

“We’ll find him.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“You don’t need to thank me.”

Tears filled her eyes, and I released my hold on her neck to wipe away one that tipped over her lid. “We got this. It’s gonna be okay.”

“It’s just . . . he’s all we have left.”

“I know, Red. Hold it together.”

She swallowed and straightened her shoulders, visibly collecting herself as Heath and the units pulled away from the curb to start the search.

“I’m good. Go. Find him.”