“So far.Whether or not she stays that way depends on you.”
“Let me talk to her.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You want me to believe she’s alive and well, you need to let me talk to her.”
I heard a whispered conference taking place, the voices too low for me to make out what was being said.
I clenched my fist.It took all my willpower to keep quiet.I wanted to reach through the phone and throttle whoever was responsible for daring to threaten my woman.
“We’ll text you a picture, but we’re not giving her a chance to tip you off.She’s fine.All you have to do is call off your buddies and she’ll stay that way.You got a couple of our guys cooling their heels in prison to show off to the press.Be satisfied with that.You do not want to piss off the boss man, or your little sugar baby is going to suffer.”
I glanced down at my phone as it pinged again.A picture of Kimberly popped up but the background was blurred, and it looked like she was unconscious.I refused to consider the alternative.
This was not good.I needed to find her and fast.The GPS location of her phone said she wasn’t far away, on one of the forestry roads.Damn lucky I wasn’t driving the low-slung Mercedes convertible.It would most likely bottom out on the uneven dirt roads around here.
Diego hopped into the car as soon as I opened the door.Sliding back into the driver’s seat, I clipped the phone into its holder and started the car.Now that I had a plan, I felt calmer.Glancing at the GPS, I turned left and headed out.
I almost missed the final turn, hidden as it was by overhanging willow tree branches.Judging by the distance I’d already covered, my destination was a few miles down this side track.There was a chance the poachers had set a lookout or trail cam so I slowed down, keeping a sharp lookout.
The trees thinned out up ahead, and I stopped to consider my options.Out in the open, I’d be a sitting duck and worse, I’d be putting Kimberly at risk.I decided to pull off and make the rest of the way on foot.I found a spot on the side of the road and pulled the vehicle under the cover of some overhanging branches.Pocketing the keys and my phones, I exited the car and motioned Diego to stay close by my side as I started to make my way toward the clearing.
The underbrush was sparse and I managed to parallel the road, moving swiftly toward my target.Now that I was closer, I could make out a small cabin in the center of the clearing.This close, the GPS locator was pretty much useless.It wasn’t going to pinpoint the exact location.I reached the edge of the clearing and paused to unclip the latch on my shoulder holster.I might need my gun in a hurry.
Diego sat patiently by my side, waiting for a signal.
“It’s okay, boy.We’re going to find her and take out these assholes.”I refused to consider any other options.I gave the dog a quick pat on the head before turning back to study the cabin.
* * *
Kimberly
“Think she’s awake yet?”
The voices were getting louder, clear enough to make out the words.
“Maybe.I’m not sure how much of that stuff she breathed in before she passed out.”
“You’d better go check on her.The boss will be pissed if anything happens to her while he still needs her.”
“Good point.The way my luck’s been running lately she could choke on her own spit and he’d blame us.”
Patience.They could come to check on me any time now.I had to be in position, ready to run when they did.
Minutes ticked by slowly.Panic receded.I’d never been particularly religious.Growing up in the foster system didn’t give one much hope in a benevolent deity.Still, I sent up a silent prayer to whoever might be listening.I had to succeed.Diego needed me.The spirit bear needed me.And then there was Ryland.
I deserved a chance to explore the feelings between Ryland and me.We had a special chemistry between us.I’d always felt awkward in social situations, but with Ryland it was different.I felt safe.Warm.Cared for.Was that love?Not really sure.Maybe.I didn’t have much to compare it to, but just maybe…
I tensed at the sound of a chair scraping back on the floor.
“I’m tired of just sitting around waiting for something to happen.The bitch must be awake by now.”
The voices were getting familiar now.The guy speaking was the one who wasn’t upset at the thought of murdering me.Good.If he was the first through the doorway, I’d have the element of surprise on my side.The other guy might hesitate to do anything fatal, even if I didn’t get him right away.
Footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor, getting louder as they came closer.
I braced myself, clutching the open jug tightly.Ignoring the sickly-sweet fumes rising from the open bottle, I forced myself to breathe calmly.I’d only get one shot at this.
