I need this dickhead to shut up before I get too annoyed with him. "Let's see if she's actually home," I tell them. We can't just assume she's here because her car is here. We get out and I jog up the stairs ahead of them and start knocking on the door. After a few minutes I knock again with no answer. Something is definitely off. She isn't answering and I'm beginning to worry. I meet Casey's eyes and I think we're both thinking the same thing. Casey reaches under the door mat and holds the silver key. "I practically live here too. I'm sure they wouldn't mind us coming in." "I don't know..." Jacob trails off. "Just do it," I urge her. If Lacey isn't in the apartment, we need to worry. Unlocking the door, Casey steps inside with us right behind her. Everything appears normal. A blanket is casually thrown on the couch, a pair of heels are by the door, and the soft sound of ticking from the clock on the wall fills as background noise. "Lace?" Casey calls out, jogging to her bedroom. She comes back out and shakes her head. "Something is wrong. I know it." Jacob scratches his head. "Maybe she's with her aunt. Do you guys have her number?" I'm beginning to think Kay or Xavier has something to do with Lacey being gone, and that doesn't settle well with me. Kay and I are done, Kay and Lacey seem to be friends, what can they want with her? Xavier hasn't mentioned any plans with Lacey. But then again, he probably wouldn't tell me if he did. The look on Casey's face tell me she is thinking the same thing. The worry is clear in her eyes and it looks like she's about to have a panic attack. There's only one way to find out if Xavier has her. I take my phone out of my pocket. Lacey could be in Xavier's hands, and that's what I fear most. Xavier answers the phone after two rings. "I'm a little busy, can this wait?" "Not if you have Lacey." He sighs. "Oh, poor Lacey. When is everyone going to give up on her?" I roll my eyes. He's toying with me. "Cut the shit, Xavier. Do you have her or not?" "I thought you didn't give a shit about her anymore. At least, that's what I remember you telling me," he says. "Dammit, Xavier—" "She's here, sitting pretty." My eyes flit to Casey, and she throws her head into her hands. What's happening is my fault. I got too comfortable with Xavier and now he's taking advantage. I let Lacey down. She told me Xavier is all I have left, and she's right. I don't have Anthony, or Reece, or even Carlos around. A wedge has been driven between me and Lacey, and every other person I cared about, and it's all my fault. I was angry when she decided it would never work between us at Reece's cabin. Angry enough to dump Kay, and join Xavier in becoming one of his messenger boys. I've made gun trades, gambled on Xavier's half, and beat the shit out of those who haven't paid him back. Most of all, I was angry enough to tell him I didn't care if anything happened to Lacey. It was selfish, but it gave me a sense of relief that maybe he'd officially leave her alone. That didn't work. "What are you planning to do with her anyway?" I ask him. If he's hurt her in any way, he's a dead man. I said things that I completely regret, but he's stepping over the line. I won't let anything happen to her. "Well, she's being a stubborn bitch. She won't call Casey for me, so we've had to deal with that." "Casey?" I ask, looking at her. She perks up and her eyes are frantic. "Do not lay one more finger on her, or I swear to god—" "Blah, blah, I've heard it before," he says. "This one isn't on you. Casey didn't want to talk to me the other day and now she's going to pay." His voice echoes and I know where he's at. "Just bring Casey to me." He hangs up and I stare at my phone. I shouldn't have underestimated him. I didn't think he'd go this far because he wants to talk to Casey. "What did he say? He has her? What does he want?" she immediately asks me. "Wait, wait," Jacob holds up his hands. "Someone kidnapped Lacey? We need to call the police." Ignoring Jacob, I look at Casey. "He wants to see you after you didn't talk to him the other day." The color in her face drains. Before she can respond, Jacob shoves me back against the wall. "What the fuck, man? You know this guy who took her? And you're trying to blame Casey?" I push him back, angry that he's here in the first place. "You don't know shit. Actually, you shouldn't even be here. Trying to be all buddy-buddy with Lacey, and for what? There's no way in hell she'll get back together with you." "Fuck you. Me and Casey are going to the police and we're going to get Lacey back," he says, grabbing her. "Let's go." We rush out the door, while Casey takes her time locking it and putting the spare key back. "I did this," she says, her voice cracking. "He wanted to talk to me on Tuesday and I didn't want to." I grab Casey's arm and I see the tears in her eyes. I have to make sure she knows I'm being sincere. "Casey, I'm not blaming you. This is all my fault. I don't want you to be put in danger just because that asshole is obsessed with you. We can go to the police, but that will only make it worse. If Xavier sees the cops, he's running and he's taking Lacey with him." She wipes her eyes. "I need to see him and I need to see Lacey safe and sound," she says. "No cops. We're going to him now." "Hold on," Jacob says. "This is insane. We're definitely getting the cops involved." "Shut the fuck up for one second, please," I say to him, being one second away from knocking him out. He points at me. "You shouldn't even be here. I'm not her only fucked up ex. You drove her out and it takes a lot for her to give up." "I actually kept my dick in my pants, unlike you. You didn't even care that she lost her parents," I get closer to his face. I'm waiting for him to make the first move. One flinch and I'm going to kick his ass. Casey pushes Jacob away from me and says, "Stop it. We're doing this my way, or no way and I say we go to them without the cops. I can handle Xavier." I accept it. I can provide back up if Xavier tries anything else. Jacob is the one who doesn't look convinced. "Now, let's get going," she says.