The Promise (Wolfe Creek Duet #2)

51

DAMIAN

“Relax, man.” I clap a hand on Adrian’s shoulder, partly to comfort him and partly to get him to stop pacing the shop floor. “Everything’s going to be fine. You have a few bookings, just enough to get you acclimated without overwhelming you. We’re all here for you today. Okay?”

Adrian comes to a halt and takes a deep breath. His dark eyes search mine before settling. “Thank you, D. I’m just nervous. It’s all real now.”

I take a look around the shop. It all came together perfectly and he’s proven over the last couple of months that he wants this. He might be nervous, but I have confidence in my brother. “I know, but that’s a good thing. This being real is just the first of many things to get your life back on track. For you to have everything you want and deserve. So enjoy it. Happy opening day, Adrian.”

I smile widely, hoping some of my confidence transfers to him. It doesn’t seem to. I spot his vape on the reception desk and grab it. I hate that he smokes at all, but if it’ll calm his nerves, I’m all for it. At least this smells good. I hand it to him.

“Nah, I’m good. I’m done with that shit.”

The look of disbelief is hard to conceal. He rolls his eyes. “Really?” I ask.

Adrian nods his head. “Really.”

I want to ask him why, but I think I already know the answer. Thea’s been complaining about the smell since he arrived. Did he quit for her?

Wes clears his throat. “Listen, the circumstances might be different, but I know the feeling you’re having right now. That uncertainty and fear… the fear that you’re going to fail.” I watch Adrian’s eyes drop to the floor as he speaks. “I’ve been there. It’s not a comfortable place to be, but not trying isn’t an option. And even if you fail at this, you’ll find something else. That’s okay. As long as you don’t stop trying. If you fail, we’re here for you. We’re here to be your safety net. We’ll catch you.”

Adrian looks back up at him. I can tell he wants to accept those words, yet something stops him. Fear. It all comes back to being scared. All we can do is show him that we mean what we say.

“Hey,” Sutton chimes in. “They’re right. We’re here for you and shouldn’t stop trying. But I want you to remember, you don’t have to shoulder everything all the time. It’s okay to be weak sometimes. It’s normal. We’re here during those times, too. You don’t always have to be strong and put on a brave face.” My brother’s eyes flick to mine as he says it, as if he’s telling this to me too.

“I—I don’t…” My gaze travels to Adrian as he begins to protest, then stops himself. “Thank you.” My head tilts. This is new for him. Maybe he’s growing. Maybe him trusting us isn’t a far off possibility.

The four of us stand around. There’s not much else to say. There’s an hour until opening and we’ve done everything possible to get ready. We’re just waiting on the front desk employee and the other tattoo artist to show up for their shifts.

Thankfully, Thea’s at the studio all day. I would’ve felt obligated to include her, however she and Adrian seem to be even more at odds than usual since yesterday when he drove her home. Neither would tell me why my Audi wasn’t brought home.

I wanted to pry, but I don’t think either one of them would’ve said much or anything at all. My instincts told me to check the shop cameras. Then, I stopped myself. I’m trusting Adrian with her. I told him to be her outlet while keeping her safe and she’s still in one piece, so he must be doing something right with her.

“Hey,” Wes calls out to Adrian. “Think we can go over some of those design details before we get started. I really need the color to be just right.”

I partially think Wes does this to distract our brother, although I know first hand he’s set on this tattoo coming out perfect.

Adrian nods. “Yeah, let’s go in the back. I’ll get it pulled up and we can work on revisions. I’ll mix the color up after I’ve done all the line work. I have that picture you sent me printed out for reference. We’ll get the color right.”

My brothers walk off toward the back of the shop just as my phone starts ringing. I pull it from my pocket.

“Damian Wolfe,” I answer the unknown number curtly.

Sutton watches me, surely trying to figure out who I’m talking to. I head to the front doors, needing some privacy, considering who’s on the other end.

“Uh huh. Okay. I can be there in a bit. Thank you.” I hang up, then glance over my shoulder at my brother, who’s still watching me. Heaving a sigh, I simply tell him, “I have to run an errand. Hold things down here for me until I get back.” Thankfully, Sutton knows when and when not to pry.

“Got it.”

I head out the door, clicking the button to unlock the Audi that’s been parked there all night. If this pans out… I force myself not to get too optimistic about this lead. It could mean nothing. The first thought is persistent, though. It could mean finding Gavin. It’s stupid, but hope fills my chest for the first time in a while.

Nearly speeding, I head out of town toward the hotel.

I check my phone again, waiting for a reply. I texted the number ten minutes ago, telling the woman that I was waiting in the hotel lobby. No answer. My patience is wearing thin, but I force myself to sit there a little while longer.

Looking around, I take in the details of the hotel. It’s not high end by any means, but most aren’t in this area. It’s nice, I guess. The decor is clean and modern in shades of off-white, gray, and warm wood tones.

Eventually, I get lost in watching the bartender cleaning glasses across the lobby.

“Mr. Wolfe?” a soft voice calls out from behind me. I turn to see a young girl with pale blonde hair standing with hands clasped together.

Standing, I reach out a hand for her to shake. “Yes, that’s me. Katelyn?” She nods, her ponytail bobbing with the movement. She doesn’t take my hand, so I motion for her to sit down.

“I can’t stay long,” she murmurs, peering over her shoulder at the front desk. “My boss is nosy. If he sees me here, he’ll badger me about it.”

“Understood. Let’s get down to business. Tell me what you know about the night of July fourth.”

I listen intently as she recalls the details of that night. It was quiet and she was on her phone passing the time when she heard the elevator ding. She thought it was odd since most guests didn’t come in and out at all hours of the night.

Katelyn says she remembers seeing two men walk through the lobby. Both were in hoodies and seemingly trying to keep a low profile.

“Is this one of the guys?” I hold out my phone with a picture of Cole on the screen. Her face scrunches as she tries to figure out if it’s him.

Finally, she answers. “I think so. I remember messy curly hair and his build looks similar.”

“Continue, please.”

She tells me that the one that she thinks was Cole had the other man by the arm, almost as if he was making him leave. Then she noticed something fall from his pocket as they walked out the front doors. Katelyn unzips her purse and pulls out a crumpled piece of paper.

“Here. I saved it. I don’t know why,” she shrugs, then gives an answer. “I think I’ve seen too many crime shows and they seemed suspicious. So I figured if the police ever came around asking, I might have a clue for them. You’re not the police, but maybe it’ll be useful for you.”

I take the paper from her hands and unfold it. In black marker, there’s an address written. That’s all. It’s not much. Actually, it’s nothing. At least until I check it out. For all I know, it could be the location of a restaurant or doctor’s office. I was expecting more and I think she sees that on my face.

“I’m sorry. I wish there was more I could tell you.” Katelyn pushes up off the chair, eager to leave her job and escape her nosy manager.

I hold out my hand. “Who knows, this might be exactly what I’m looking for. Thank you again for reaching out. I appreciate it.” This time, she shakes my hand.

I watch her walk out the front doors before sitting back down and typing the address into my phone. It comes up immediately—it’s not what I was expecting. The address pulls up a storage facility in Tennessee. It’s in the same town that Cole made a few trips to before kidnapping Thea.

Something in my gut tells me this isn’t nothing. I need to make a call, just not here.

Making my way through the parking lot, I call the number listed in the search results.

I’m sliding into my car when the rough voice of a man answers. “Caldwell Storage. What do ya need?” I roll my eyes at the unprofessional greeting, but this makes it easier to get right to the point.

“Yeah, my brother has a storage unit there that I need to get into,” I tell him, not wanting to beat around the bush.

“So get the key from him.”

“If it was that easy, I would’ve done it already. I’m pretty sure he’s doing some illegal shit in one of your units. Tell me which unit is his and I’ll take care of that problem for you.” This should be an easy deal for him to take.

Instead, there’s a gruff laugh on the other end. “What makes you think I need you to take care of that problem or that it is a problem?”

This is what I was hoping wouldn’t happen. He’s running some fucking weird operation where he probably rents out the units for a higher price to unscrupulous people and turns a blind eye to whatever they’re doing. The good thing is, money talks with these people and I have plenty of it.

“Name your price.” It’s a simple, yet effective tactic.

The line goes quiet for a minute. “Ten thousand.”

Fucking amateur. I would’ve given him triple, easily. “Done. His name is Cole Wolfe, but I’m not sure that’s the name he gave you. He’s about six foot, dirty blonde curly hair, bit of a beard, handsome, hazel—”

“Yeah, yeah. I know who you’re talking about. Give me a minute.” I wait patiently, listening to the clacking of a keyboard and heavy breathing. “Found it. I’m busy for the next few days, but I’ll be here on the twenty-third if you can get here then. I’ll only be in town for the day, so it has to be then or after the New Year.”

I don’t like that I’m going to have to wait a few days, but it’s probably for the best. I need to get things situated here before I leave. “The twenty-third it is.”