Never Surrender

by Stacy Claflin

  Excitement spread throughout. She flung open the door, ready to say something about Mom’s return.

  The look on Dad’s face stopped her short. His hair was sticking out at odd angles, and the skin around his eyes was red.

  Her heart sank. “What’s the matter?”

  Dad waved her in but didn’t say anything.

  “What is it?” She stepped inside and sat at the table next to him, her palms sweating.

  He had his blog open on his laptop.

  “Mom’s not staying, is she?”

  Dad nodded toward the bed, where a bunch of suitcases sat. “I’m going to be staying down here for a while.”

  The room seemed to spin around them. “Why?”

  He cleared his throat. “Mom and I need some space.”

  “An hour plane ride wasn’t enough?” She struggled to think of something to say that would convince him to work out whatever was wedged between them.

  “We just need space, sweetheart.”

  “What about Zander?”

  Dad swallowed and stress lines deepened around his eyes. “Still missing.”

  “Did something else happen? Is there a new clue?”

  “Some troll left an upsetting comment on my blog.”

  She hugged him. “I’m sorry, Dad. Don’t let it get to you. That’s what he wants.”

  Dad squeezed her. “I’m trying my best.”

  “Can I do anything?” She studied him, her heart breaking at his obvious pain.

  “Just focus on your schoolwork. Let us worry about finding your brother.”

  “Are you allowed to work on the case?”

  “No. In fact, I’m taking a leave from work. But I’m doing what I can as a parent.”

  “If you’re not working and Mom’s here, why not try to work things out?”

  Tears shone in his eyes. He started to say something but then stopped.

  “What is it?” Her voice cracked. “You can tell me.”

  Dad wiped at his eyes. “Mom and I should tell you together.”

  The words were like a spear to her heart. “You’re getting a divorce?”

  He looked away.

  She slunk against the chair. “So soon after getting married?”

  “We should all discuss this together.”

  “Why?”

  “Mom deserves to be part of the conversation.”

  “No! I mean, why can’t you work this out? What makes this any different from before?”

  He wiped his eyes. “It just is.”

  “You’re the one who’s always telling me not to make rash decisions under stress! Now you’re doing just that. Don’t make a decision like this now, with Zander missing.”

  “It’s more than just that, and I can’t get into the specifics with you.”

  “Why not?” Tears blurred her vision.

  He hesitated.

  “What?” she demanded.

  He sighed. “I don’t want to taint your view of your mom.”

  “What happened? What’d she do?”

  “Sweetheart, this is a bad time to discuss this. In fact, it’s the least important thing right now.”

  She leaped to her feet. “You and Mom divorcing isn’t important?”

  “Right now.”

  “I can’t believe this!” She stormed toward the door. “You and Mom can’t put your issues aside now, of all times?”

  He rose, his face reddening. “If you must know, it’s her reaction to this that’s put us in this position! She’s given me no other choice! I don’t want to taint your image of her, but I also won’t have you blaming me for this.”

  “You aren’t to blame? Not at all?”

  “Of course I share some blame, but what she’s done has made marriage impossible.”

  Ari leaned against the wall. “Did she have an affair?”

  “No, but she was unfaithful to me in a completely different way.”

  “What other way is there?”

  “Emotionally.”

  “So, an emotional affair?”

  “There was no affair!” He threw his arms into the air.

  “What, then? You’re going to have to spell this out for me because I’m totally lost.”

  Dad closed his eyes for a moment before speaking. “She accused me of something I would never do, something I’m incapable of considering, much less actually doing.”

  “Well, if you didn’t do it, what’s the problem?”

  “The fact that she thought I could. I can’t stay married to someone who thinks I’m capable of something so horrendous.”

  She swallowed. “Not at all?”

  He stood tall and shook his head. “Not at all. I’m really sorry, Ariana. If another outcome were possible, I’d be all over that.”

  “What if I could change her mind?”

  “I appreciate the thought, but nothing will change the fact that she thought me capable.”

  Her stomach knotted. “Maybe you’ll feel different when things have calmed down?”

  “No. Some things are not negotiable. You either have faith in the person you married or you don’t. And if you don’t have that, there isn’t anything left.”

  Her mind spun. “Okay.”

  “Everything will be fine eventually,” Dad said. “We’ll find a new normal. Mom and I both love you kids fully, there’s no doubt about that.”

  “You just don’t love each other anymore.”

  Dad hesitated. “It isn’t even that.”

  “Then what? Won’t you at least try?” She blinked back tears. “I wanted you two to be married my whole life, and now that you finally have, it’s over! What about the twins? It’ll be even worse for Laney if we don’t ever find Zander again. She’s probably already lost without him, and it’ll be so much worse if this is thrown at her at the same time!”

  He just stared at her. “I don’t even want to think about Zander not coming back.”

  “Neither do I! But I have to. That’s the mess we’re in, and now you and Mom are being selfish by divorcing in the middle of this!” She blinked, and tears streamed down her face.

  “Ari—”

  “Don’t bother.” She whipped around and left, slamming the door behind her.

  Chapter 34

  Alex’s mind spun, and his throat felt on fire. His stomach churned and twisted while pressure and sharp pains intruded his chest.

  He stared at the door Ariana had just slammed, leaving him even more alone than before.

  Was she right? Was he being selfish? This was the worst time to make rash decisions, but he was hardly alone in the matter. Statistically, couples break up more often during trying times like this than they stay together. At least, he thought that was the statistic. And they were way ahead of the curve, having remained together given everything they’d been through.

  But this was Zoey’s fault. If she hadn’t left and taken the kids out of state with her, none of this would’ve happened.

  That was it—the true source of his anger.

  He leaned his head on the table, letting the realization soak in. Yes, he was furious that she tried to blame him, saying he could’ve been behind the abduction. But who was he kidding? People said stupid things when angry or worried. He was probably the worst of offenders in that matter.

  What he was really angry about was her blaming him when he saw it as being her fault. And the truth of the matter was, the kidnapper could have been targeting Alex. It wasn’t until after he went to Idaho that Zander was taken.

  Not that he was behind it or responsible in any way, but Zander may have been taken because of him. Zoey was in the clear on that count.

  He needed to talk with Ariana and then Zoey, but his head felt like it would explode. His stomach felt like it would release its contents again. The light was like razors on his retinas.

  Everything else would have to wait.

  Alex trudged to the light switch to turn it off before feeling his way to the bed. He climbed under the covers then curled
into the fetal position.

  Hopefully, once he woke, he would not only feel better but have clarity of mind.

  Sleep eluded him. The bed felt like it was spinning in circles like some ride at the state fair. Footsteps sounded outside the converted apartment. Arguing. Now Zoey and Ariana were going at it.

  Alex tried to push himself up but didn’t have the strength to lift his torso from the mattress. He wanted to call out for his wife and daughter to stop so they could try again. His voice wouldn’t work any better than his muscles.

  The darkness blanketed him like a thick, heavy covering. His eyelids finally couldn’t withstand the weight of staying open. Ari and Zoey’s voices drifted farther and farther away until they couldn’t be heard, then he found himself floating on a cloud, passing various scenes from his life.

  By the time he finally opened his eyes, sun was filtering in through the blinds. His headache and nausea were gone.

  The house was silent.

  Silent.

  Alex scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping over the bedding, and raced to the kitchen.

  Empty, quiet.

  He checked the time. Just after nine. Ari would be in school. Zoey … was she still home or had she left? Not that he could blame her if she had. He’d said it was over, no turning back.

  Alex looked back and forth between the stairs and the living room before racing to the front of the house and looking outside.

  Her car was in the driveway.

  She was still home.

  Relief washed through him, then bile rose in his throat. He needed to talk with her, but what would he say? Whatever he told her, he needed to make sure he meant it fully.

  Alex stumbled back to the living room then flopped onto the couch. Ariana’s words replayed in his mind, circling on repeat. He was selfish and not thinking of anyone else. Zoey, Ari, and Laney were all dealing with Zander’s abduction, too. And Zoey had been trying to prevent this from happening. That was why she wanted to move, why she’d left to look at houses near Boise.

  Her words tumbled around in his mind, insisting she hadn’t meant her silence. She really didn’t believe he could be behind the disappearance.

  That was the key.

  If she had even an inkling of doubt about that, they had no relationship. That was on her. But if, after having the entire night to think on it, she was certain he was innocent, they would at least have something to work with.

  And that was where he would begin. Hear her out. If she still believed in him and she wanted to work things out, he would move forward with that. If not, he would pivot and never look back.

  His heart ached at the thought. She really was the love of his life. How many other people could say they’d never been in love with another person? He was lucky, he knew that, and he couldn’t throw that away. Not without fighting.

  If they weren’t able to work it out after this, he would accept it and move on. But he needed to give it a try, for the kids and for everything else they’d ever had together.

  His mouth went dry, his head ached. Coffee would hopefully solve both. He went into the kitchen and found some already made. After adding enough mint creamer to cool it significantly, he drank it quickly. It helped with both the headache and the thirst. Though water would’ve been better, he had no time to waste.

  Pulse drumming in his ears, he crept up the stairs, not sure what he would even say to Zoey. He would know as soon as he saw her, saw the look in her eyes. He’d know if he stood a chance at working things out, or if it was over before he had a chance to start.

  When he reached the top of the staircase, the first thing he noticed was their closed bedroom door. What was she doing in there? Packing? Looking at houses in places farther than Idaho? Searching divorce attorneys?

  His stomach dropped at the last thought. But he marched toward the door.

  Knocked with a firm rap.

  “Zoey, are you in there?”

  Movement and rustling sounded on the other side.

  The doorknob jiggled. The door pulled away from him.

  He was about to find out the direction of his future.

  Chapter 35

  Alex cleared his throat as she appeared in front of him. He pulled on his collar. “Can we talk?”

  Zoey tucked some hair behind her ear. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she had dark circles underneath. “You want to talk?”

  He nodded. “Can I come in, or do you want to talk downstairs?”

  She drew in a deep breath and looked around. “What do you want to talk about?”

  “Us.”

  “I thought we were over, that there was no more us.”

  He swallowed, his mouth dry again. “I’d like there to be, if we can make it work.”

  Zoey’s eyes widened. “You do?”

  “Yes. I don’t want to throw away what we have without trying.”

  She studied him, her eyes shining, then cleared her throat. “Come in.”

  He stepped inside their room as she moved. Everything looked mostly the same as it had before, except some of her clothes had been returned to the closet.

  “Is Laney still with my parents?” He perched on the edge of the bed.

  Zoey nodded and sat, leaving ample space between them. “They said she could stay as long as we need them to watch her.”

  Alex nodded, not surprised.

  “Have you heard anything from the station on Zander? Or the other abductions?”

  “You know about those?”

  “I had nothing to do last night other than search online.”

  “None of them are from here in town.”

  Zoey frowned. “Not even Zander. Doesn’t mean they aren’t related.”

  Alex considered his wording. “And that means we can’t run from this. We have to be careful and teach our kids to be even more cautious. No matter where we live.”

  “Are they after you? The ring, I mean.”

  He hesitated. The ring hated him, both as a cop and as a blogger. He did everything in his power to stop them from their reign of terror. “It’s a possibility. But I’m hardly the only person trying to put a stop to them.”

  “Our kids will have a target on their backs no matter where we are?”

  “More than likely.”

  She blinked, and a single tear clung to her lashes. “I only want to protect them, to give them a better life than I ever had. Abductions wasn’t something I worried about.”

  “No? Not even after Macy’s ordeal?” Alex lifted a brow, knowing how much his sister’s kidnapping had affected them both.

  Zoey looked to the side. “It’s true that I looked at strangers more carefully after that, but it wasn’t a fear. I was just careful. But it also wasn’t like Macy had been snatched from her home. She met a stranger at a park, at night. I’d have thought she knew better.”

  “She was desperate. You and I were hiding things from her, kids at school were cruel and even worse online, and she was nearly identical to Chester’s daughter. It was a perfect storm.”

  “Seems to be a lot of those around here.”

  He nodded. “Can’t deny that.”

  Silence rested between them.

  She scooted a little closer. “I need you to know I never really thought you could be behind Zander’s abduction. My mind was going crazy as I was thinking about what he must be going through. All kinds of wild ideas popped into my head.”

  He inched nearer to her. “I’m going crazy, too. This is tearing me apart, and it’s even worse knowing how far apart we are.”

  Zoey held his gaze. “I’m right here.”

  “But are you really? You won’t be running off to Idaho again?”

  She looked down and played with a nail.

  “Will you be?”

  “No. I’m staying right here until he’s found.”

  “And what about us?”

  Zoey glanced up at him, and a single tear trailed down her face.

  Alex never could stand to see her in pain. He r
eached over and wiped it away.

  She rested her hand on his, holding his gaze again. “I don’t want to be apart from you, Alex. I never should’ve gone to Idaho without you being on board. I’m sorry.”

  A lump formed in his throat. “I don’t want to be separated, either. I didn’t wait my entire life to marry you just to have it all end like this. It was wrong of me to brush off your concerns about living here. I should’ve at least considered other options. I’m sorry, too.”

  “Can we get through this?” Her voice cracked. “All of it?”

  He wrapped his arms around her and breathed in the fruity scent of her shampoo. “We can.”

  “How?” She shook.

  Alex rubbed circles on her back. “By sticking together, listening to each other, and most importantly, by trusting each other.”

  She nodded and rested her head against his. “I’m so scared we’ll never see him again.”

  Tears fell from his eyes and landed in her hair. “So am I.”

  “What can we do? I’m going to go crazy just sitting around the house.”

  “Nick’s on it, and so are most of the precinct and some federal agents, even though we have no missing kids directly in town.”

  “So, they believe there’s a link?”

  “They believe the kidnapping ring is involved with the string of abductions up and down the coast, and they also know how the ring has put so much attention into our town for so long.”

  Zoey sighed.

  “There’s something else I need to tell you.”

  She looked at him, her face paling. “What?”

  “There’s a man who’s been following Ariana and Ava.”

  “Since when?” Her expression tightened.

  “The weekend.”

  “And you didn’t think to tell me?”

  Alex frowned. “I thought about it. A lot. But given everything else going on, I decided not to mention it.”

  “Were you afraid I’d buy a house on the spot?” Her brows drew together.

  “Partly. But also because the girls were being so smart about it, telling us and getting pictures of him. I also think he was nothing more than a distraction.”

  “From what?”

  “Zander.” Alex cleared his throat. “I was so focused on Ariana’s safety, I didn’t think to keep an extra-close eye on the twins.”