Hope thrummed through him. “Somehow I don’t see you being a hacker extraordinaire.”
The minute the words left his mouth, he clamped his lips shut. There was one man tech savvy enough to pull this off.
And he was on his way here.
A cold draftfrom the old window whistled forebodingly into the basement, and the cement floor stole whatever heat Laine’s body generated. With her back against the radiator beneath the window, she drew her knees tighter to her chest, pillaging every corner of the ten-by-ten room with her gaze.
Water dripped from the ceiling a few feet away, the constant sound subtle but enough to drive her out of her mind. The possibility of toxic mold creeping into her lungs made her quiver.
Hopelessness washed over her. Even if she found a damn weapon, she was still up against too many odds. She’d need to kill Cameron, find Emmy, and fight off two guards.
She inhaled a shaky breath and gazed up at the ceiling. A few times, she’d heard Emmy crying. Although the thought of her daughter being alone and scared broke her heart, at least she knew Emmy was alive.
About three minutes ago, Cameron had screamed “Go to sleep!”
She prayed Emmy did just that. At least then she wouldn’t have to witness her mother’s murder. Maybe Cameron would save their daughter from that fate after all.
“Daddy!”
Oh god.
Tears filled her eyes. She wanted to shout at Emmy to be quiet. Determined footsteps pounded the floor, each one twisting Laine’s insides.
Cameron’s voice rumbled, but she couldn’t understand what he was saying. A minute later, more footfalls warned her he was coming toward the basement door.
A tremor shook her spine. He might bring Emmy down here to watch ...
The door leading to the basement banged open, and the wooden stairs rattled with every step.
The lock on the bedroom door clicked and Cameron appeared with Emmy in his arm. His brow was folded into a scowl and his eyes were sharp with menace. “She wants to see you.”
He placed Emmy’s feet on the floor, and her daughter ran across the room. Tears clouded Laine’s eyes as she opened her arms and welcomed her baby.
Emmy curled herself on Laine’s lap, hugging her, but keeping one arm pressed to her belly. “Mommy, I was so scared. I want to sleep with you.”
Emmy’s gaze shifted to the chain on Laine’s wrist and the dingy basement. Thankfully, she didn’t ask any questions.
Laine stroked the hair from Emmy’s forehead with her free hand.
Cameron’s phone rang. His expression tightened with displeasure. “You’ve got five minutes,” he growled, before leaving the room.
He didn’t go far. He spoke in Arabic to the person on the other end of the line.
“Honey, I need you to listen to Daddy, okay? Go to sleep and?—”
“Look.” Emmy peeled up the bottom of her shirt to reveal a cell phone pressed against her skin.
Laine’s heart skidded. She took the device and slid it under her hip. “Where did you get that?” she whispered, her words clipped.
Emmy’s large eyes studied her face. Just last week, she’d stared at an innocent version of the little girl in front of her. But knowing shone in Emmy’s eyes now. Pain and fear too heavy for a child her age to carry. She’d seen too much.
“Daddy’s bag,” she said, her voice low. “It was off. I don’t know if it works.” Her bottom lip stuck out. “Are you mad?”
Laine shook her head, wiping the shock from her face. She kissed her daughter’s hair, inhaling the tangerine scent. “No, baby. I’m proud of you. You’re so brave. I need you to keep being brave. Do what Daddy says and go to sleep ... I’ll see you in the morning.” Her voice broke on the weak promise.
She might never see Emmy again. But she’d rather die than let her worry all night. If she had hope for the morning, she might sleep without fear.
“Okay, Mommy.” She threw her arms around Laine’s neck and kissed her cheek, then brought her face close to her ear. “Call Roarke. He’ll come get us.”
