Underground Legends: The Hunt (BWWM)

Chapter 32 - Saint

Saint Botero (Male P.O.V)

October 24, 2074

After we grabbed a quick lunch, Quinton pulled out of Burger King's driveway onto the main road. He glanced my way before focusing straight ahead as he asked, "Are you heading to the station with me or..."

"Nah. You can just drop me back at your place."

"Okay." He mumbled through a mouthful of fries.

My stomach grumbled at the enticing scent wafting from the grease-stained brown bag sitting on the center console, but instead of digging into my food, something else occupied my thoughts.

I slipped my phone from my pocket and quickly checked it.

There were no phone calls.

No text messages.

No voicemails.

No nothing.

Softly sighing, I tapped it against my thigh.

"Mr. Sterling didn't return your phone call," Quinton said, knowing what was bothering me without me needing to voice it aloud.

"Nope."

The last time I spoke to him was when I informed him that Abella and Logan were missing. And that conversation had gone just as I expected. Bad. He had broken down in tears before inevitably turning to alcohol to drown his sorrows.

"Try to call him again," Quinton said, grabbing another handful of fries. "And if he still doesn't answer, we'll go by his house."

I nodded, already hitting redial on my phone.

My multiple attempts to contact him yesterday went unanswered. It wouldn't surprise me if this attempt yielded the same results. He needed time. And I couldn't blame him. Anyone would. But I couldn't afford to let him revert to gambling to deal with his pain. It would only make things worse.

Once the call connected, I started to speak, but Mr. Sterling beat me to it.

"Have you found them?!" The anxiety in his voice came through clearly in the speaker. It was even more apparent, given he didn't bother with a greeting.

"No, I'm afraid not. Sorry."

"Oh." I didn't need to see his face. The sadness and disappointment inflicted on that one word painted a clear picture.

"I'm just calling to check in on you."

"You don't have to do that."

"Yes, I do. My job wa... is to protect Abella and Logan, and until they're back home safe and sound, I haven't completed it."

He had no one. The lack of information about his children's whereabouts had to be getting to him. Although I figured Mr. Sterling wasn't the type to admit that aloud. He would rather cling to his addictions to hide his pain. It was easier.

"Is that the only reason?" Mr. Sterling asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"What other reason could there be?"

"You tell me. Is Abella only your client, or is there something more to your relationship?"

That was a tricky question because while the answer was no, that didn't mean I didn't want more.

A helluva lot more, to be honest. But that couldn't happen until I found her.

Before I could respond, I heard a familiar voice in the background. "Nick?" Luther said, addressing Mr. Sterling by his first name.