Ava brought them a pair of coffee cups filling them as she greeted them and asked if they needed more time only for them to rattle off their order without looking at her. Without missing a beat Ava wrote down the orders repeating it back before departing. Silas scowled at how they dismissed her.
“Alexis your mom is here to pick you up,” the teacher announced. Alexis tilted her head and frowned. Why would her mother be there? She should be at work. It was Monday and three days since she met their father at the aquarium. They had been waiting for him to make his next move bu
Nearing the office she called, “Mom.” Lynn turned at her daughter’s voice. She was surprised to see Alexis approach alone since the boys never left their sister unattended. She hurriedly closed the distance and pulled her into a firm hug. “It’ll be okay, mom,” Alexis whi
As she expected stepping off the elevator it was a short walk to a spacious office. Dimly she heard the clacking of keyboards and idle office chatter but it was indistinct. They were definitely not being escorted through the main area of the floor probably an off hallway. They were ushered into t
Theo sighed for the tenth time as he peaked down the hallway. After successfully making it to the computer room without being caught his job was lookout while Sean did his thing at the nearest monitor. Minutes ticked by and Sean’s fingers continued to fly over the keyboard without pause.
“Black SUV, right?” “Right.” “Okay got it.” Alexis gripped her mother’s hand. “Stay with me mom. I told you everything will be all right.” “But Lexi, what is going on?” “We’ll explain later. Promise. We’re ready, Sean.” “Here we go
“Yeah, they have the woman and the girl now,” his partner said as Mike watched the proceedings gripping his steering wheel with white knuckles. “No. No sign of the boys. Got it. We’re supposed to stay with the mother and daughter. The other team will stay to keep watch over the brothers.”
Silas fled the board room practically hysterical at how long it had taken for them to reach their consensus about the company’s projected profits for the next quarter. None of it mattered when Ava and Alexis were in trouble. Thomas met him as he exited and quickly fell into step. “Wha
“Mom and I were planning to play later,” Alexis said. “You can too if you want.” “Really? Thanks,” Caden immediately brightened. “…So you based the décor on the diner you used to work in,” Macey said after listening to Ava’s brief retelling of her past. “Were you thinki
Silas’s embrace tightened. He hated thinking about the trials she went through without him. Ava leaned against him relishing his comfort and support. Their past was not as important as their future. “You two aren’t going to go all kissy-face, right?” Theo asked. “We’re in public and
Two Months Later The restaurant was lively. Guests had been arriving for the past two hours eager for a unique dining experience. The staff was well-trained providing exceptional service despite the rush. They had been drilled in their duties by the restaurant’s manager, a tyrant the
She nodded. “Going down?” Silas repeated. “Just what have you three planned now?” “It was more like a hunch,” Lexi said. “Sean found something real interesting when he deep-dived Ryker Holdings. So we asked Duncan to keep an eye on someone, just in case.” “D
“Late? A test for what?” Silas asked not following. “Are you serious?” Tracy snorted a laugh. “Ava, you’re going to have to be a little clearer,” Opal chuckled. “Remember, it’s his first time.” Silas glanced from one to the other even more confused. Looking
“There you three are,” Tracy said as the trio returned to the party. “We were just about to send the search party to find you.” “Auntie Tracy, you’re so silly,” Alexis giggled. “How are you feeling mom?” Ava hugged her tight but Alexis didn’t feel any tension or strain in
Finding no support anywhere Jenna finally fled. No one paid her further mind as they watched the kids swarm around their parents comforting their mother. It was a sweet and tender scene and many began to see Silas in a completely different light. * * * Jenna screamed as she storme
Jenna stepped forward intentionally shoving her shoulder and made Ava stumble back. “W-What is—” Jenna stuttered as the video paused. “Who was calling who shameless?” Alexis demanded standing next to her mother arms crossed in front of her chest. “So playing with people’s
The music started slowly with just a few notes announcing the beginning of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The simple melody became more complex as notes overlapped and weaved a new organic pattern but always maintaining the integrity of the piece. Conversation lulled as everyone turned their