He has another one, I interrupt.

They tackled him to the ground, patting him down.

Hes clean, I heard one of them announce.

No, thats impossible, I muttered.

Maam, were almost to land. Why dont you stay with us up front? She began grabbing my arm, but I yanked it away.

No, I have to get my daughter first.

She escorted me down to the bathroom where I knock and called out, Stella, its mommy. You can let me in now.

I didnt hear anything and knocked again. Stella! Its mommy. Open up! I wiggled the doork.n.o.b and it opens right up. Stella? Oh my G.o.d, shes gone!

Maam, just calm down, please.

Calm down? My daughter is gone! Shes missing!

I pushed past her and ran back up the stairs to the dock.

Where is she? I yelled, not even caring that I was making yet another scene.

You didnt think Id come alone, did you? He flashed a c.o.c.ky grin.

I swear, if you hurt her! I ran at him, pushing him with as much force as I could. I was filled with adrenaline and rage.

And apparently too much.

I pushed him right over.

Drake The pain didnt come. And neither did the blood. Well, not my blood, at least. My body crashed to the ground, but not because I was in pain, because I was pushed.

I looked up and saw my driver. He was holding a gun in his hand pointed directly at Mr. Madden. He was covered in blood, not moving on the ground.

Holy s.h.i.t, I muttered.

We have to go. Now! he yelled. He placed his gun back in his pants and began running toward the car. I looked around before getting up and running behind him.

We both got in the car and slammed the doors shut. The tires squealed as he turned around. I needed to get to Molly, but I had no idea where she was.

I called her cell, but as I figured, straight to voicemail. I called the house number, hoping Shirley had some answers for me.

Stagliano residence, she answered.

Shirley, its Drake. Its an emergency. I need you to tell me if you know where Molly is. Is she home? Did she say where she was going? I rambled off, later realizing I wasnt giving her a second to speak.

Mrs. Stagliano is not home, sir.

Did she say where she was going?

She took Stella out on the boat.

f.u.c.k.

Thank you. I quickly hung up, knowing exactly where she wouldve gone. When her parents visited, we took them on a sunset cruise, so I was almost positive she was there now.

I told my driver where to go. I gave him all the details on the situation as he drove. I knew he was panicking inside about what he had just done, but it was his job"his job was to protect me as well.

I jumped out as soon as I saw the sign for the boats. I ran over to the ticket booth, begging for information on when the boat was supposed to arrive.

Im sorry, sir. It was supposed to dock fifteen minutes ago. Hence, the line. He waved a hand over to the crowd that was very long and by the looks of it, getting very anxious.

Somethings wrong. My wife is on there. She called me from the boat. Someone is on there to hurt her. You need to call for help.

Im sure everything is fine, sir. They wouldve called if something was wrong. Sometimes this happens. Someone gets sick or there are too many boats in the weighing area.

No! Thats not it! I shouted, slamming my fist on the counter.

Sir, Im going to have to ask you to leave now. Or Ill call the cops.

Yes! Call the f.u.c.king cops! Tell them someone is on that f.u.c.king boat to hurt my wife!

The girl gave me a suspicious look, as if she didnt fully believe me, but believed me enough to call.

Fine, Ill call. But thats all Im doing. Now go. She waved me off.

For the first time in my life, I felt helpless. There wasnt enough time for me to do anything.

How much for a little boat?

Excuse me?

Howmuch for a little boat? To rent? To go out on the lake? I clarified, holding my wallet out, ready to pay anything.

Sir, we dont have anything like that. We only do tours.

Are you f.u.c.king kidding me? Get me your manager, please, I said sternly.

Is there something wrong, sir? An older gentleman came into view, looking completely harmless.

I need to rent a boat. Any boat.

We dont offer those kinds of services, sir. Im sorry.

Ill pay you ten thousand dollars.

Sir, I really dont"

Twenty thousand.

I watched as he scratched his head, mumbling something to a worker nearby.

You can take the staff boat, sir. I watched as he walked out of the employee hold and nodded me over.

I followed him down, shrugging my suit jacket off. He gave me instructions as he started the boat.

Thank you, I said, rushing him off. I could drive a f.u.c.king boat.

Are you staying or going? I snapped, ready to go.

Please be careful. If you get hurt theres a liability issue and"

I promise not to sue. There, happy?

He nodded and reluctantly got off the boat. I didnt waste anytime cranking the handle, gaining speed. I had no idea where I was going, but as soon as I was pa.s.sed the weighing station, I bounced off the waves until I saw the companys boat charter.

I could tell that it was held up. It wasnt moving. Something was wrong.

Molly! I screamed. It was a long shot, the boat was loud, but I screamed anyway. Molly!

A couple of staff members saw me as I drove the boat up closer. Sir? What are you doing? a woman gasped.

My wife is on this boat! Where is she?

Drake? G.o.d, the sound of her voice was like pure Heaven. Oh my G.o.d! Youre alright? she gasped.

Im fine, baby! I grinned wide at the sight of her smile. Why is the boat stopped?

Pa.s.senger overboard! a staff member yelled back. You need to get back, sir.

I put the boat in reverse, but I was not going much farther back. I was going to get my girl off there.

I felt my phone vibrate against me and was relieved to see Mollys name pop up.

Molly, whats going on?

Drake, hes here. Dennys here, she cried.

I know, sweetheart. Tell me, where is he?

Hes the one that went overboard. Theyve been searching for almost a half hour. They called for help, but so far, nothing.

Wheres Stella?

I locked her in the bathroom and when I went back to grab her, she was gone! I confronted Denny who said he didnt come alone. Now the whole boat is on lock down. They wont let me go search for her.

Youre f.u.c.king kidding me, I wailed out. How could they torture a mother like that, knowing her child was out of reach? I was furious.

Stay right there, sweetheart. Im coming to get you.

19.

Molly I watched as Drake shifted the boat up to the front. I heard someone yell that it was Mr. Stagliano. Apparently, one of his staff members worked a second job on the boat and recognized him.

By the time Drake reached me, I was a sobbing mess. He rushed toward me, wrapped his arms tightly around me. He dug his head in the nape of my neck, crying with me.

How did you know where to find me? I asked.

Wheres Stella? He ignored my question. Where is she?

He wasnt asking me. He was demanding answers from all the staff members that were now huddled near us.

Find her. Now! he yelled. Well find her. He brought his attention back to me, rubbing his knuckles over my wet cheeks.

I feel like the worst mother, ever.

Stop it. He tilted my chin up. This is not your fault. You understand me?

I nodded, letting his strong arms carry me. A staff member rushed to our sides letting us know Stella had been found. We broke apart and found Stella walking up casually with food in both hands.

I raced to her and knelt down to her level. Where were you? I gasped.

I got hungry, she answered, nonchalantly.

Stella! I told you to stay in the bathroom, remember?

I did. Someone kept knocking and yelling. They had to use the potty. The innocence in her voice was making it too hard to be mad at her, so I just grabbed her and squeezed her instead. I didnt care anymore"she was safe in my arms.

We finally made it back to land where cops and ambulances were lined up on the block.

s.h.i.t, Drake mumbled, escorting the three of us off. Let me take care of this, okay?

I nodded, holding Stellas hand as tightly as I could without it hurting. There was no way I was letting her out of my sight.

I let Drake handle the cops, giving them his side of the story. I wasnt even sure what his side was at the moment, but all I cared about was that the three of us were safe. We were on landand safe.