David’s face swam in her thoughts. The man had been there for her every step of the way. She’d overreacted about the tracker, she knew that deep down, but the betrayal lingered. Learning to trust was the lesson she’d yet to master. But if she allowed herself to trust anyone, it would be David.
Ten minutes later, the neon lights of the gas station glowed ahead. Her side ached and her muscles burned.
She slipped to the rear of the building and spotted a lone car. She tried the door, and it clicked open. Reaching under the front seat, she snagged the keys and stood. She lowered her battered body into the driver’s seat and leaned across the console to retrieve the address.
She stared in amazement. Zoey was only ten miles from here.
Turning the ignition, she pulled out of the parking lot and aimed the car toward her daughter and her worst nightmare.
Minutes later, she turned onto a dirt path. The trees lining the road blocked the moonlight, casting an intense darkness over the long driveway. A cabin loomed ahead, tucked into the middle of nowhere. She had to trust David if she had any hope of surviving. But how would he ever find her? She’d left without a word, another decision she’d regret for as long as she lived. Which, under the circumstances, might not be long. Jennie owed him an apology for overreacting.
She glanced at her phone. The screen toggled between no service and one bar. She shared her location then typed in a text message and hit send, praying the message would go through.
Leaving the phone on, she placed it in the console hoping the guys found her by using the GPS.
She rushed up the path to the rustic cabin ahead. Her footfalls crunched in the dry grass and leaves. Had the man already hurt Zoey? Did he have any intension of letting her daughter go?
God, please let my text go through.
“Ahhh, baby. Good to see you again.” Adam stood on the front porch, arms crossed with a sickening grin on his face.
The look on his face turned her blood cold. She straightened, determined not to show fear. “I’m here. Let Zoey go.”
“Not so fast, sweetheart. Come on in.” He turned and disappeared through the door.
She swallowed. All the times he’d come over and helped with Zoey, she should have realized he wasn’t as kind as he appeared. He had to have been aware of Kenny’s abuse and had done nothing to save her.
Could she step into the unknown?
She had to. Her daughter’s life was at stake.
She moved through the doorway. Her gaze landed on Zoey tied to a chair in the small living room.
Her daughter’s blue eyes flickered with fear.
“It’s going to be okay, honey. I’m here. Adam will let you go now.”
“Yeah, about that.” He stepped closer. His hot, rancid breath brushed her face. “She stays.”
Jennie’s jaw dropped. “You said…”
Without warning, he slapped her.
She cupped the stinging flesh.
“Time for you to realize who owns you. And whatever is yours is mine.” Adam chuckled.
Terror tore through her. She’d moved away from Indiana without a word to protect Zoey and herself. No notification to Brad’s friends or the police. No forwarding address. All for Zoey’s safety—and her own. And now her past had found her.
Adam grabbed her arm and yanked her toward him. “Time for a lesson.”
His fists found every injury on her and then some.
Jennie’s body had taken a lot of punishment over the past few days, and she didn’t have much left in her survival tank.
He threw her backward. Her spine hit the edge of the table, and she slumped forward, dropping to her knees. How had she missed Adam’s obsession with her?
She gritted her teeth and lifted her gaze, connecting with Zoey’s horrified look.
