“We’ve got a location from Cameron’s phone. We’re already on our way. But I’m glad you called. One sec. Wraith, trace thiscall.” He rattled off what had to be Rayan’s number. “Now we can confirm we’re on the right path. Where’s Emmy?”
She closed her eyes, appreciation filling her to the brim. One question filled with so much fear spoke volumes about Roarke’s feelings for Emmy. He cared more about her than her own father did.
He’d do anything to protect her and Emmy. Had done so from the minute she’d called him several days ago. He wasn’t perfect, and he might not even be present in their lives after this, but god how she loved him.
I’ve always loved him.
“Lainie, I need you to stay with me. You’re scaring me.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice choked. Maybe it was the blow to the head, but she was struggling to stay in the here and now. She had to keep it together, find some well of strength, because they were nowhere near the end.
“He has me chained in the basement, and I think Emmy is directly above me. She’s safe. I’ve heard him speaking to her. He’s holding us here to trap you. He knows you’re coming.”
“Good,” he snapped.
“Roarke, he has men in the woods. Ex-military.”
“How do you know all this? Did he tell you?”
“Not exactly. One of his guards is helping me. He gave me his phone.”
There was a long pause. “Who is he?”
“His name’s Rayan. He’s Fatima’s brother and just learned Cameron killed her.”
Roarke exhaled. “All right, but I want you to be wary of him. He might be on our side, but if I see him move against us, know he’ll be shot.”
Laine swallowed and nodded, fully trusting Roarke to make the right decision to keep her and Emmy safe. “I understand.”
“You sound groggy. Did anything else happen?”
“We had a fight. I attacked him. He was bleeding pretty badly from his neck, but I don’t know anything else.”
“Good girl.” The pride in his voice brought a ridiculous smile to her face. “Did he hurt you?”
“He knocked me out,” she confessed. “I’m all right though, just got a killer headache and a black eye.”
“Bastard. Can you keep this phone on you? I want a way to reach you.”
The bedroom door creaked open. She startled but relaxed when Rayan walked in and shut the door. He approached slowly, something fluffy in his hand.
“Can I keep the phone?” Laine asked him.
Rayan’s brow rippled. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. If Cameron discovers it on you, things could get worse.”
Dammit. He was right. She didn’t want to give Cameron a reason to lose his shit before Roarke could get to them. “He said that’s not a good idea,” she told Roarke.
A second of irritated silence filled her ear. “Okay. I’m not far, honey. Thirty minutes or so. Hang in there for me, all right?”
A tear slid from the corner of her eye. “I will.”
The line went dead and with it, her attentiveness. The call had zapped her energy. Fatigue rolled in. She slowly pulled the phone away from her ear.
Rayan approached and took the device. He knelt next to her and wrapped a blanket over her shoulders, then helped her to lie down.
She wanted to thank him, but she couldn’t do anything. She slipped into a restless sleep.
Chapter
