My fingers dug into the ropes securing my hands, the ragged pieces cutting the skin under my nails. My voice shook. “Over where?”

Ethan’s gaze snapped back to me. “Over the cliff. So you can die. Like you should have all along.”

44

FORD

“Finally!” I glared at my brother as he strode through the door.

“What did you mean Bell’s missing?”

“Exactly what I said, genius. Maybe if you answered your phone instead of worrying about getting laid, you’d be in the loop.”

“I was out of pocket for an hour, I didn’t think the world would fall apart in that time.”

But it had. My world had come apart at the seams in a matter of seconds, just like it had before. Only this time, there wouldn’t be any coming back from it, not if something happened to Bell. I squeezed my eyes shut, pinching the bridge of my nose as if that would miraculously change what lay in front of me.

“Okay, okay.” Crosby stepped in between Hunter and me. “We’re all worried. What we need to do now is come up with a list of places to check and people to talk to.”

We’d stopped by Vi’s grave and Caelyn’s and Kenna’s houses already. No sign of Bell. I couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d go. Not willingly, in the middle of the night.

Hunter rubbed a hand over his jaw. “I saw Bell right before I left. She was upset, said all the stares and whispers were getting to her. But I don’t think that was the whole story.” His gaze cut to me. “You want to tell me why Bell was upset, brother?”

I bristled at Hunter’s tone. “None of your damn business.”

“Shut up!” Kenna yelled. “Enough of this macho bullshit. You two need to get it together, or I’ll come up with a reason for the sheriff to put you both in cuffs. I’ll lie if I have to.” Both Hunter and I stayed silent. “Hunter, stop goading your brother.” She turned to me. “Ford, we need to know everything, and that includes why Bell was upset. I know it’s probably personal, but any little thing might help.”

Crosby leaned closer to me. “I love it when she cracks the whip like that.”

“Not the time, Crosby,” Hunter warned.

I laced my fingers behind my head, pressing my hands against my skull, trying to hold back my desire to punch something. “She was doubting how I felt about her.” Saying the words out loud sliced at my throat, ravaged my chest. The last thing Bell had felt in regard to me was doubt. And that would stay with me forever. I cleared my throat. “Lacey Hotchkiss showed up at the bar.” Kenna let out what sounded like a growl. “She was trying to hit on me. I shut it down. But Bell was still upset.”