“I could use a hand.”
“On it.”
“I suppose you called the AI thing-a-ma-bob?”
“Yes sir. I’ll have him send you his findings.”
“When this is done, son. You and I are going to have a little talk.”
“Agreed.” For one thing, from now on she keeps one small weapon in her purse and one in her holster. That is, if I ever let her out the front door again.
Jason calls me back. “I believe this is the vehicle you want.”
An image of a car in flames pops up on my screen. Firemen jump out of a truck while the state police direct traffic into one lane.
“Anyone in it?” My fucking heart stops, praying to God for mercy.
“According to the detectives on the scene, the SUV was empty.”
“Thank Christ.” I sink into a chair. But where is she?
Chapter Seventeen
Sam
For the second time since getting kidnapped, the radio shuts off, flashers tic, and our vehicle slows to a stop. This time, I’m ready and slip my engagement ring deep between the cushions.Please, God, let Suds find it.
“Get out.” The female kidnapper pulls my head off the cushion, then blindfolds me with a tight scarf.
Seeing stars as she shoves me out the door, I stumble and lose my balance. With my hands tied behind my back, I can’t break my fall, and gravel scrapes my knees.
Shit.
“Hurry up.” A calloused male hand circles my bicep, tugs me vertical, and leads me toward an idling truck.
Coughing out diesel fumes, I’m pushed up some steps and shoved into an echoing container. Seconds later, another body clunks beside me, metal scrapes against metal, and a heavy door clangs shut. In the silence, my companion slides closer until we’re back to back, hands touching.
“Sienna?” My whisper sounds unnaturally loud.
“Yeah.” Her fingers wiggle and the tips clasp mine.
Thank God.For hours, I’ve been worried she wasn’t still with me. “Are you hurt?”
“No, you?”
“I’m fine.” Blood trickles down my leg but it’s probably no worse than the time I fell off my bike as a kid.
“Did you recognize any of the voices?” Now we got the basics settled, I need to focus on getting us out of here.
“The woman? For sure it was Dahlyla. That bitch.”
“Did she say anything to you?”
“She started to but one of her goons told her to shut up.” The truck rumbles and as we tumble onto our sides, I get an idea.
I move my nose in the direction of the sound of her voice. “Can you pull off my blindfold?”
“Let me try. Closer.” Teeth scrape against my forehead, the fabric pulls at my hair, and finally it comes off.
