Chapter 127 Loren Was Kidnapped
Todd gave Loren a good once-over, clearly taken aback.
Tyler was on edge, too. Years in intelligence, and he missed someone right under his nose? Ouch.
They kept circling Loren, making him impatient. "Todd, let's go find my brother already."
"Oh right, we need to find Summer." Todd snapped out of it, grabbed her phone, and called Sam to bring Summer back.
No answer.
Tyler quietly reminded, "No distractions on a mission."
Todd shot him a look. "Which dock? Take me there."
"Pearl Harbor," Tyler said, looking grim. "Mr. Smith, please don't tell the boss. I don't want to go back to Lumoria."
Todd was annoyed. "You took Summer out without permission. Pray he's okay, or I can't help."
Tyler quickly promised, "I'll bring Summer back safe."
"I want to go, too," Loren insisted, tugging Todd's clothes. "If you don't take me, I'll tell John."
Todd and Tyler were exasperated.
Such a young kid, already making threats.
"What a handful." Todd sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Tyler, you carry him. He's heavy."
Loren, over fifty pounds and chubby, pouted. "I'm not heavy."
Todd chuckled. "Not heavy, just a bit bulky."
Todd enjoyed bantering with Loren. Unlike the quiet Summer, Loren was more fun.
The brothers were so different.
But Todd was happy Loren was Summer's brother. Loren was smart and clever, a real talent. Taking him to the island would be interesting.
Thinking of Aurora, Todd realized taking Loren away would be tricky.
No time for that now. They needed to find Summer.
Tyler carried Loren to the car, and they headed to Pearl Harbor.
As Tyler drove, Todd stared at Loren. "You don't look like Summer."
Still mad about the chubby comment, Loren snapped, "We're fraternal twins, of course we don't look alike."
Todd grinned. "Yeah, that attitude is just like Summer's. Right, Tyler?"
Tyler calmly noted, "Mr. Smith, he just dissed you."
"They are the same. I'm used to it." Todd shrugged. As Nightfall's second-in-command, he had thick skin.
Todd started chatting, "Loren, your parents must be amazing to have such great kids."
Loren's mood soured, remembering being called a bastard. He turned to look out the window.
Todd was puzzled. "Loren, what's wrong? Turn around, let's chat."
Tyler glanced at Loren in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Smith, better not mention parents around Loren."
"Why?" Todd asked instinctively, then realized he had hurt Loren's feelings.
These brothers were really alike. Todd had asked a similar question before, and Summer had turned and left in anger.
The brothers were orphans, never having enjoyed parental love, nor had they seen their parents. This was their scar.
Looking at the angry Loren, Todd felt very guilty. "Loren, I'm sorry. You'll see your brother soon, so cheer up."
The word "brother" did the trick, and Loren turned back, his little face all puffed up, not saying a word.
Todd chuckled. Kids these days, man.
Pearl Harbor.
Tourists were everywhere. When the trio hit the dock, they were greeted by a sea of yachts. Headache central.
"Tyler, you go find him. I'll hang here with Loren," Todd instructed.
The weather was brutal, and the dock was jam-packed. No way to tell how many Wolfpack folks were lurking, so Todd wasn't about to drag Loren into that mess.
Todd found a coffee shop by the dock and plopped down, while Loren kept his eyes glued to the window.
"Where's my brother? Why hasn't Tyler brought him back yet?" Loren was super anxious. He had this gut feeling, like a twin thing. His brother must have been in trouble.
"Don't worry, he'll be here soon." Todd suddenly felt a stomachache coming on. "Loren, wait here. I gotta hit the bathroom. Don't move, okay?"
Loren was too wrapped up in his worry to hear Todd. Todd couldn't hold it any longer and dashed to the bathroom, clutching his stomach.
As soon as Todd left, Loren spotted a familiar figure on the dock through the window and shouted, "Brother!"
Loren panicked and bolted outside.
He ran over, but with the crowd, the figure he saw was hard to track down. He frantically looked around, shouting, "Brother, where are you? I miss you so much."
Loren remembered the last time he got separated from his brother, feeling both scared and anxious.
On a yacht, Emily and Nicole were enjoying the sea breeze, having a chill day.
Emily's eyes caught sight of Loren on the dock, and she lit up. "Mom, look, isn't that the kid from the recognition banquet?"
"Where?" Nicole followed Emily's gaze. "Looks like it."
"Quick, dock the yacht," Emily urged.
"Emily, what's going on?" Nicole was puzzled.
Emily replied, "Aurora treasures that kid. Yesterday, she pissed off a bunch of socialites and even tore down a private kindergarten for him. If we snag him, Aurora will have to play ball."
"Really?" Nicole was shocked. She'd been too busy with property disputes with Dean and trying to win back Percy. She didn't have time to catch that gossip.
Emily pushed. "Mom, go get that kid."
She couldn't show up herself because she was actually scared of Aurora.
Nicole saw through Emily's plan. If things went south, she'd be the one in hot water. Her daughter was using her as a pawn.
But Nicole didn't say anything. She knew Emily was selfish. She got off the yacht and walked towards Loren. "Hey kid, you looking for someone? How about I help you find them?"
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