Cheat [MxM] (Carter Brothers Book 1)

Chapter 29

"I did my job," she chuckled, pulling back and smoothing out the lapels on her immaculate suit jacket, though a slight pink tinted her cheeks and the tip of her pointed, freckled nose. "Though this isn't over just yet. I'll have miles of paperwork for you to fill out and you have to keep to your court ordered anger management and parenting classes on top of your therapy. Understand? Well done, Mister Carter, you've done great, but we've still got a little ways to go," the older woman smiled, patting my arm. I nodded, promising that I'd do anything they told me to do. I wouldn't dare fuck this up now.

Evan's phone began ringing and he stepped away, grinning as he waved the device. "Miyah," he mimed as he accepted the call, heading for the front, revolving doors that lead to the parking lot beyond. I said goodbye to Gina and Jae did the same, grabbing my hand as we trailed after my big brother. Jae was still bouncing beside me and I just wanted to get him and Ollie home and on the couch where I could wrap them up in my arms and hold on tight, just appreciate having them with me for as long as I could.

"Ezra!"

Evan's yell made me startle and I looked away from Jae, who I'd noticed this morning, looked absolutely stunning in formal wear, my head jerking up to find the source of the frantic shout. Evan's excited demeanor had morphed and twisted into one of utter panic and despair  and I felt myself tense, immediately on high alert as impending dread wiped the smile clean off my face.

"What is it?! What's wrong?!" Jae asked, as we pushed towards my brother who looked out of his mind now as he began a sprint for the revolving doors, shoving unfortunate people out of his path in his haste to get out. We rushed after him and when we finally burst outside, Evan spun, waving his phone with crazed, storming grey eyes.

"It's Ollie! Miyah said he's been kidnapped! He said it was a police officer! Miyah, he's hurt! I have to get to him, Ez! Fuck!" Evan looked terrified, as though just the thought of his Jeremiah being injured was killing him and I was the same when the words 'Ollie' and 'kidnapped' finally hit their mark like a fatal punch to the chest. My stomach fell out of my body and my heart plummeted with terror.

"What?!" Jae's eyes were wild as he looked between the two of us, his usually tan, golden skin gone pale at his cheeks. His hooded eyes were wide with shock, and then determination. "When? What happened? Did Jeremiah get a description of the guy?" He questioned rapidly, but his words sounded like ringing in my ears.

I couldn't think of anything other than Ollie being frightened, possibly harmed and in danger. I wanted to rage, I wanted to scream, I wanted to tear through this fucking city until I found him. The happy serotonin that had me on cloud nine after our win was long gone. Instead, adrenaline coursed through me as we dashed for my parked car like mad men and tunnel vision had a hold of me, like a whirlwind of rage and fear and crippling worry. Who would do this-

"He mentioned Renee!" Evan yelled, yanking open the driver's side door of my car. "Said the officer was going on about taking him back to her. If you can catch up with her, she'll be able to lead us to where Ollie is. You guys go on without me, I have to get Miyah," Evan stressed, about to slide into the seat, the engine already revving before he fully folded himself inside.

"No! Let me go after Jeremiah!" Jae demanded, pushing me firmly towards the passenger side door. "You guys go after Renee, try and find Ollie.'

"No, I-" Evan began to protest, looking wrecked with despair, but Jae cut him off, pointing at me.

"Look at him! He's gonna do something fucking stupid and I'm not strong enough to hold him back when his two-fifty pound ass tries to kill somebody! I need you to make sure that we still have joint fucking custody after we get Ollie back and he doesn't end up in jail! I'll find Jeremiah and get him to a hospital!" Jae kissed me briefly before running off - to find another vehicle I assumed.

I hopped into the passenger side of the Rover, slamming the door shut, glad that Evan was driving because I would've added multiple traffic violations on top of that 'killing somebody' jail wrap. "Go!" I growled at my brother and he cursed, slamming his fist against the steering wheel as he tore out of the parking spot and beyond the lot of the court house, tires squealing.

I cursed Renee to hell and back one thousand times, my hands clenched over my thighs in a failing effort to ground myself enough to pay attention to the road and find the entourage of black cars Renee and my family had arrived in. My eyes darted frantically up and down the highway, finally spotting the three cars a few lanes over, sitting like ducks in traffic. I sat up straighter, pointing out of the window for Evan to see. "There!"

He swerved, making his way over, weaving in and out of stationary and moving cars with skill and precision - though not nearly as fast as I would've liked considering the urgency of the situation. Eventually, the traffic began to move and I watched as one car split off from the trio, taking an exit off the highway. I'd bet money on my life that Renee was in that car. Evan seemed to agree, quick to take the exit and follow behind at a safe distance. God forbid Renee caught sight of us and lured us to a different location.

Thoughts of Ollie, his red little face, his tears, his screams, his terror at being taken away from Jeremiah, his family, and alone with a stranger plagued me. I imagined him injured, calling out for me, or perhaps his bunny and pacifier. Those images were the worst form of torture and my breathing became laboured the longer my mind twisted them throughout my consciousness. Blood, broken bones, bruising... it got worse and worse until eventually Ollie was dead.

"Stop it," Evan growled, his hand squeezing my thigh painfully hard. "She's a fucking maniac, and yes, she's gone way too fucking far, but she wouldn't kill him. She wants you to hurt by taking him away, that's all. She loves that boy, in some sick and twisted way. Don't let your thoughts go to that dark place. Stay with me, Ezra."

I nodded, grabbing a hold of my big brother's hand and squeezing desperately. Please be right. Please be fucking right. I didn't know what in the hell I was going to do if those nightmares became a reality.

Just hang in there Ollie, baby, Daddy's coming.

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A/N: Thank you for being patient lovelies, I'll try to get the next update going as fast as I can 🙏🏾❤️

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