Sunbeams and Thunderstorms (now published so sample only)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – Third Meeting

One and a half years later

Declan knew something was wrong for at least a week before he did something. It wasn't just his intuition but also when Mabel never answered his calls anymore.

He told himself that Summer didn't need him anymore when his intuition first started to niggle. She'd been on her own for over a year with no problems, so he had to assume that she'd continue that way.

After he first left her, he'd rung Mabel every day to check on Summer's wellbeing. As the months passed and Summer continued to grow without him, he backed away. Sure, she didn't know he rang to check on her but that didn't matter. Now he made certain to ring once a week.

Last week, a gruff but arrogant male voice had insisted that Mabel had left for a holiday. Declan didn't believe him. He'd spent the week worrying about his damn obsession and cursing to himself for his concern.

This morning when he awoke to stabbing pains that came straight from his intuition, he ran to her. One flight later and he was an angry, anxious bear of a man. Why did he move so far away from her? He should've stayed closer and made sure to keep her safe.

Declan drove the car at the fastest speed he could. If something happened to her, he would forever blame himself. The miles ticked by as fast as the hours in the day did. Why the fuck did he leave her in the middle of nowhere?

Realising he had never had such a helpless moment in his whole life spurred his anger to fiery heights. Why had his obsession with her only grown worse as the months went by?

The town looked calm as he drove through but that only made his frown deepen. Why did he abandon her here without checking the town with more care? He wanted to drown this town in a storm but something prevented him.

With a growl, he focused on the road and finding Summer first. The hotel seemed abandoned when he pulled up making a shaft of anxiety engulf his chest. He rushed to the room that should've been hers only to find it empty. That sweet aroma of hers lingered so she had been here recently, but all of her stuff had disappeared. Where the hell was his girl?

Panic fought with fury as he stormed to the reception area. What should've been a bright welcoming space for tired travellers had become dark and eerie.

A dishevelled man sat behind the counter and stared at the gun in his hands. The putrid smell coming from the man only added to his insolent seedy demeanour. The man's fascination meant that he didn't notice Declan's stealthy approach.

"Where is she?" Declan growled.

The stranger stood in a rush, cocked the weapon and pointed it at Declan's chest. Declan's anger drove him to ignore the threat and focus only on Summer's whereabouts and wellbeing.

"Stay back or I'll shoot!"

"Where is she?" Declan demanded.

"Who?"

"Summer."

Declan clenched his teeth while the other man paled and began to shake. He snatched the gun away with ease and removed the bullets before tossing the gun aside. Declan towered over the man as his rage darkened.

"Tell me what happened to her and where she is." Declan raised his voice.

"Are you going to fry me too?" the man squeaked.

"What?"

"She fried my brother. She burnt him and now he's in the hospital. Are you going to do that to me?"