Missing Pieces

Carmella released a pent up breath. Jordan would be found, and she'd be able to function again. Three long weeks of hell had passed, worrying about her baby's safety. The cops were stumped, and she feared Warren might even have friends on the force. While it'd taken all the strength she could muster to crawl out of bed, dress sexy, and charm Addison, she knew he was her last hope.

He was wild. Untamable. Like his last name, Cougar. Framed by unruly black locks, his avocado-green eyes almost glowed. His faded jeans and shirtless chest sent tingles to places she'd forgotten existed. No keg for this one, not even a little bulge; he carried a straight six-pack.

The silence between them grew uncomfortable.

"Thank you. I… brought a picture taken of Jordan the night she disappeared." She dug in her bag and offered it to him.

"She's dressed like a scarecrow." He handed it back.

"Yes, well, I tried to convince her to go as Dorothy, but she insisted on dressing as the Scarecrow. The Wizard of Oz is her favorite movie."

He gave her a puzzled look. "Isn't that a bit scary for a six year old?"

"No, it's a classic." She looked at Jordan's smiling face once more and then put the picture back in her bag before she lost her composure. "How do you know she's six?

He raked his hand through his wavy hair. "I know everything about this case. The entire force knows everything about this case. Your ex-husband picked her up on Halloween. Neither one has been heard from since. Money talks, as I'm sure you're aware." His lips curled into a faint sneer. "Until your daughter's found, every other case has been put on hold."

So, he was bitter after all these years. If anyone had the right to be upset, it was her. After he'd left town and broken her heart, she'd moved on with her life—and into hell. What had she done to make him so mad? She shook her head. Jordan was her main issue, not an old fling.

"You said you'd help me. Find her and bring her home to me. I'll be waiting…" and every second she's out there lost, I die a little more inside. Fresh tears gathered in her eyes as she grabbed her bag and stood.

He caught her wrist. "Caree, it's not that simple. If I knew where she was, I'd ride in, swoop her up, and deliver her to you personally. But I don't." He stood and slowly drew her into his arms. "I'm so sorry. This must be horrible for you." His soft and breathy voice caressed her ear.

Shocked by his embrace, she stiffened. Her breath caught as his strong arms trembled. Both stood still in a moment of silence. All thought fled her mind.

When she found her breath again, his arms had stopped trembling. Chills from the November winds subsided and warmth replaced the cold. Reassurance she'd yet to find in her social circle washed over her. How she'd missed the comfort of welcoming arms, the smell of natural morning male and unadulterated sincerity. The thin facade she'd managed to control shattered. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Oh, God! My baby's gone." She wanted to run home, curl up in bed and not move until Jordan was safely in her arms, but he held her tight, pressed her cheek to his chest and stroked her back.

Peace she'd not felt in years flowed through her. There, in his arms, her hopes and dreams flourished. Desire stirred, and she cursed her selfishness. How could she want this man when Jordan was missing?

His smooth chest heaved beneath her cheek as he took a deep breath. "There's something you're not telling me. I can feel it."

The tenderness of the moment passed. Time pressed into her chest as she struggled to trust him completely. Reluctantly, she pulled away from his embrace and steadied herself. "Warren's in a lot of trouble. His gambling's out of control. He owes a lot of money."

"That's not new information. I also know his father died and left a huge trust fund to Jordan with you as trustee. That creates three theories." He counted on his fingers. "A tragic accident happened involving both of them, which no one believes. His loan shark has Jordan or both of them. Or Warren has Jordan and wants her trust fund." His green gaze narrowed on her. "What I don't know, is what you're hiding."

Damn he's good! There were no more options; she had to trust him with her daughter's life.

"Has Warren contacted you?"

"No… maybe… I mean… I thought he would have by now and asked me for money…"

"But?"

"But." She reached into her bag again. "Someone left this on my doorstep."