His father knew Elliott was a better man in every way. Richer, better looking, more successful, younger. But more than that, he’d seen the impact Elliott had on Daniel’s life. And seeing Daniel wanted nothing more than to be Elliott’s official child, just like Holly and Noah were, his father had point-blank refused to give his permission.
The only thing his dad could control was who Daniel legally belonged to. But not for long. He’d asked Elliott and his mom, his real parents, if they’d help him legally emancipate from his father so Elliott could adopt him. It was the only thing he wanted for Christmas because he knew such things weren’t cheap and needed lawyers and stuff.
In the meantime, Elliott had written a contract for the two of them. That he was Daniel’s dad in every way that mattered, no matter what the law said.
Daniel scanned the room for Petal. He felt kinda crappy for shooing her away when he’d been eating. All she’d wanted from him was a moment to teach him this damn routine she’d chirped on about all day. When they’d gone for their walk, she’d stood studying some dancers on the boardwalk for an age, trying to copy what they were doing. And if he was honest, it was the cutest freaking thing to watch her with her furrowed brow and tongue slightly sticking out as she concentrated.
“Did you see where Petal went?” he asked Cujo.
Cujo shook his head but joined him in scanning the room. “No. I didn’t. Perhaps she went to Jordan.”
The room was busy with lots of Lia and Reid’s wedding party. Daniel got up and walked around the room, looking under tables as he passed, behind curtains. “Uncle Jordan, have you seen Petal?”
His uncle stood immediately. “No. Have you looked for her?”
Daniel sighed. “Not thoroughly. She wanted to dance, and I said no. Feeling kinda shitty.”
Jordan ran his hand through his beard. “She asked me and Lex, too… and we said no.”
“Dred,” Jordan called across a couple of tables. “Is Petal with you?”
The concern in Jordan’s voice had those in hearing distance looking for Petal, too.
Fear began to trickle down Daniel’s spine, and he forced himself to take a deep breath.
Dred stood and scanned the room. “Pix?” he yelled. “Petal with you?”
Voices began to join the chorus. Her name rippled through the restaurant as people began to look around.
“I’ll check the bathroom,” Lia said, jumping to her feet. He watched as she hurried in the direction of the washrooms, holding his breath until Lia came back out. “She’s not in there.”
Panic began to build, a tangible change in the energy of the room.
His Uncle Nik came to stand by Uncle Dred, and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s split…a few people stay here to search the restaurant, the rest of us hit the street.”
The room began to empty as people headed out to search. “Dad, wait,” he shouted as Elliott ran for the door.
“Sorry, Bud. I need to go.”
“No, Dad. I think I know where she went.”
Elliott stopped. “Tell me.”
“We went for a walk today with Uncle Jordan. We went down the boardwalk from the hotel and there were these dancers. And you know how she’s been trying to build this dance troupe for the party tomorrow night. Well, I said no. And Uncle Jordan said no.”
Elliott ran his hand through his hair. “I said no because of Holly. And I know Harper and Lia said no because they were working on arrangements for tomorrow.”
Daniel nodded furiously. “I think everyone said no, so I think she went to look for those dancers to see if they’d join her.”
“So, let’s go. Where was it?”
Daniel ran out of the door and Elliott followed. They sprinted down toward the beach and crossed the street without even waiting for the lights to change. Elliott just threw his hand up to stop the cars that were starting to move, and completely ignored the irate drivers who honked their horns.
They passed Nik and Reid, who were searching the street, and followed the path down to the boardwalk.
It was busy with partygoers… Miami didn’t sleep, not even on Christmas Eve.
When they hit the boardwalk, Daniel stopped and closed his eyes, trying to remember if the dancers had been before or after this side street. “How far away is the hotel, Dad, if we were walking to get here?”
Elliott looked up the beach. “Maybe ten minutes. Fifteen, tops.”
They’d been walking about half an hour when they had stumbled upon the dancers. He remembered because Petal had complained about being tired and wanted ice cream right before she’d seen them and found a burst of sudden energy to dance with them. “It’s this way, to the right,” Daniel said.
“You sure?” Elliott asked.
“Yeah. I’m sure. It was farther along.”
Daniel and Elliott slowed a little so they could search.
“Petal?” Elliott called out, and Daniel copied him. In unison, they called her name.
“Hey,” a lady said, stopping them. “Are you looking for a little girl? Curly hair. Silver dress?”
“Yes,” Daniel said.
“Which way did she go?” Elliott added.
“She headed in the direction you are going, perhaps five or ten minutes ago. I tried to catch her because I figured she was lost, but she disappeared.”
Daniel’s heart began to race at the news. They were headed in the right direction. He tried to block out all thoughts of what disappeared could mean. He’d been abused. He’d been held captive in his room against his will by his uncle. The idea of anything happening to that precious little girl because he wouldn’t dance with her turned the pizza in his stomach to curdled cheese.
“Dad, what if something happens to—”
“Don’t,” Elliott said, stopping his fast pace to turn and face Daniel. “We can’t think like that, Bud. Not yet. We have to do everything we can to try and find her, first. And to do that, we have to try and keep a calm mind.”
“I don’t want what happened to me to happen to her,” he blurted.
Elliott reached for him and pulled him into a hug, squeezing him so hard it felt as though his ribs might break. “Oh, Daniel. Neither do I.” He released his hold. “So, let’s hold that thought and focus on finding her, yeah?”
Daniel nodded.
“Do you remember anything that might narrow down where the dancers were? Anything that might tell us we’ve gone too far.”
Daniel wracked his brain. “It was super close to the place we got ice cream. I’ll remember that place if I see it and will let you know.”
As they walked, they checked behind walls, across the beach. Elliott ran off the sidewalk onto the sand to get a better view of the beach, them both crying out her name.
Daniel scoured every nook and cranny, every narrow gap, every patio.
As the boardwalk opened up, he took a minute to stand in one spot and turn slowly to make sure he hadn’t missed anything. “Petal,” he yelled, cupping his mouth in the hope it would make his voice louder. “Petal.”
“Daniel.”
The word was faint, but he could have sworn he heard his name. He spun around to see if the words had come from behind him.