Across the Vanishing Sky (Starlight Grove, #1)(98)

Yeti let out a couple of sharp barks that I knew had to be an alert.

As I rounded a tight set of trees, I came upon a sight I never would’ve expected. Skylar was atop a much larger boy’s back, her blond pigtails caked with dirt and leaves, more dirt smeared on her cheek, and she had the boy in some sort of chokehold.

“Say you’re sorry,” she demanded, pure fury in her voice.

The boy’s eyes were wide as he caught sight of me. “Help me! She’s crazy!”

“That’s not nice either. Now, you gotta say sorry twice.” Sky gripped him harder, her face stormy.

I felt Brae pull up short next to me and let out a strangled sound of surprise.

I shook my head, scrubbing a hand over my jaw as relief swept through me. “Hey, Little Princess. You wanna let him go?”

“No,” she snarled. “Sometimes, a lesson’s gotta be learned, and I’m gonna be his teacher.”

Brae gripped my arm, pressing her face into it to keep from laughing.

That was a phrase right out of Waylon’s playbook if I’d ever heard one.

“Sky, he’s gonna have consequences, don’t you worry. But you don’t want to get in trouble, too.”

Her hazel gaze flicked up to me, the first sign of uncertainty there. “You promise? He hurt Owen. And we don’t hurt. That’s rule one.”

God, my niece was the best. Pink T-shirt that read Don’t make me get my uncle, combat boots, and rainbow shorts. Pure ferocity adorned her face.

“I promise you’ll have your vengeance, Little Princess.”

With one last squeeze, she leapt off the boy and brushed herself off. Then she went straight for Yeti, giving her all the scratches.

But I didn’t take my eyes off the little pissant who’d hurt Owen and gotten Skylar lost. I stalked toward him, offering him a hand to help him stand. But I didn’t let go when he was on his feet. I gripped his hand firmly and got right in his face.

“If you ever come at Owen again, I’ll let Sky do her worst, and I’ll make sure every secret you have is posted to your Snapchat weekly. I can do it. I used to hack computers for the FBI.”

The boy paled.

“You get me?” I snarled.

He nodded in a staccato beat.

“Good. Now, start walking,” I ordered.

A grin spread across Brae’s face as the terrified bully passed her. “Buttercup, did you just threaten a ten-year-old for my kid?”

I shrugged. “Worth it.”

Her expression went soft around the edges. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”





40





BRAEDYN





Skylar skipped ahead of us, chattering to Yeti as if the dog could understand each and every word she spoke. She was completely oblivious to the fact that we’d all been scared out of our minds for her. Though maybe that was the best thing. A gentle yet strong word from Kol about not running into the woods might be all that was needed.

And bully Max was so embarrassed and possibly still terrified about Dex’s threats that I was starting to feel bad for him. He trudged along between Skylar and us, his head bowed, staring at his shoes.

But the moment we broke through the tree line, Kol was running at his daughter full tilt. Suddenly, the amusement of how we’d found the two kids was gone, and I was reminded of everything that had been at stake. Memories of the search after Nova’s disappearance flashed in my mind. How much I wished for this sort of reunion.

Skylar giggled as her dad lifted her into the air and held her to him. But it was the way Kol’s body shook with silent sobs that had me almost breaking on the spot.

“Daddy?” Skylar asked, confused. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, baby. Nothing now.” He held her for a long time, and I knew he was coming to terms with being faced with his worst nightmares only to make it out the other side.

Dex’s arm slid around my shoulders, pulling me to him as he brushed his lips across my temple. “We’re going to find you answers, too.”

Him knowing where my mind had gone—to Nova, always to Nova—was a gift. But I couldn’t help noticing that he hadn’t promised me a happy ending like Kol had gotten.

Kol’s hazel gaze lifted to me. “Thank you,” he croaked. “Anything you need. Anything at all. It’s yours. You found my girl.”

“You don’t need to say that,” I rasped. “I’m happy to help.”

“I’m saying it anyway.” Kol’s eyes burned with something. Fear, I realized. And I understood it. A pressure came with being a single parent. Every decision was on your shoulders. And when something went awry, it could only be your fault. The weight was always heavier because you carried it alone.

“All I need is for you to take that girl out for a milkshake and have some time just the two of you,” I whispered.

“I wasn’t lost, Daddy. Just had some business to attend to.” Skylar glared at Max, whose head was still hung low.

Kol pulled back. “Some business to attend to?”

I got the sense he would’ve laughed if he hadn’t just been terrified out of his mind.

“Yeah, Max owes Owen an apology,” Skylar huffed.