“Aw, don’t worry, Bubba. I didn’t take them off the good end.”

“You ain’t funny. Now where are you?”

Nick headed for the elevators. “We’re on our way. How’s Mark doing?”

Bubba hesitated before he answered. “Why you asking about Mark?”

“I know about him and my mom.” Nick led them into the elevator. “We heard it on the radio in the ambulance, on the ride over.”

Bubba let out a tired breath. “I didn’t want you to find out like that, Nick. I’m sorry, son.”

“Thanks. So how’s Mark doing?”

“They busted him up pretty good, but as soon as they get the X-rays back, they’ll release him. Just want to make sure there’s no internal damage. What about you? I asked and they said you weren’t even here.”

“I’m fine. Just worried about my mom and Mark.”

Nick stepped out of the elevator and paused. “We’re here. Where are y’all?”

Bubba came out a few seconds later to lead them to Mark’s room, where he lay with one arm in a sling. His blond hair was brushed back, and one side of his face was swollen and red. Whatever had attacked him had gotten the best of him and then some.

He rubbed sheepishly at his injured arm. “I’m sorry, Nick. You know I wouldn’t have let nothing happen to Cherise if I could have stopped it.”

Nick inclined his head to him. “I know. So what happened to you two?”

“No idea whatsoever. I’d just opened the door to let Cherise into the Jeep when I heard something shriek out like a banshee. One second I was on my feet, the next I was dating asphalt.… I don’t even know what hit me. I saw nothing but thick darkness. Like the ground rose up and jack-slapped me.”

Nick groaned silently. This told them nothing. They were right back where they started.

Nowhere.

And still his mom was out there.

Unprotected. Alone.

He couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to her. All his life, she’d protected him. Guarded him with everything she had. Now he felt completely responsible for her, especially since he was the primary reason she was in danger. If he wasn’t her son, no one would ever target her for harm.

I’ve got to find her.

And yet, in a strange way, he didn’t sense that she was in imminent danger. He couldn’t explain it. He had an overwhelming need to find her. But at the same time, there was a part of him that seemed to know she wasn’t under immediate threat.

It was such an odd sensation. One that made his skin literally sizzle and crawl. It moved as if it were alive.

Yeah, this was a weird, funky feeling that defied description.

Suddenly, his phone went off. Nick glanced down at the ID to see who it was. “My boss,” he said to Kody and Bubba. “Gotta take it.” Stepping out of the room, he answered the call.

“Where are you?” Kyrian’s stern tone was undercut by a note of hostile concern.