Denver barely kept from losing his mind. He held her close, trying every technique he’d learned through the years to stay calm. If he’d been just ten minutes later, he would’ve lost her. Or if she’d fallen into a snowbank, he never would’ve found her. “I’m going to kill that bitch Madison,” he muttered darkly. He was grateful to have Noni back, but his mind wouldn’t leave Talia. Where was the baby? He kept rubbing Noni’s back, trying to push warmth into her.
Heath paused, fury glittering in his gaze. “Dude,” he breathed, tugging down the blanket.
“What?” Denver asked, fear gripping him again.
Heath reached up and turned on the interior light. “Her back.”
Denver swallowed and slightly turned Noni over to see black marker written on her. Madison had left him a message? Fuck. He sucked in air and read the entire thing.
DENVER. YOU WANT THE BABY, AND I WANT YOU. IT’S TIME TO COME HOME. I’LL TRADE THE BABY AND LEAVE HEATH AND RYKER ALONE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN YOU, MY BOY. XOXO ME
Noni woke up with a gasp, her entire body feeling like somebody was pricking her with needles.
“You’re all right,” Denver said, his voice low and controlled.
She blinked several times and took inventory. Soft sheets. Warm male. No clothes. “Denver.”
“Yeah.” He held her tight, her back to his front, his body warming hers. “Are you back with me?”
That quickly, flashes from the entire night went through her head. “Where are we?”
“The cabin at the lake.”
She closed her eyes as dread rolled down her to land in her stomach. “She took Talia.”
“I know.” He pressed a kiss to the back of her head. “I promise you, I’ll get that baby back. No matter what.”
Noni bit her lip and slid her feet along his calves. She was still chilled. “I can’t remember everything,” she whispered, her heart feeling like somebody had stabbed her. Why was everything still so hazy?
“You were drugged,” he said, holding her even tighter. “If you’re up to it, you can tell me everything. Anything you remember might help.”
Her shoulders jolted, and she shoved against him. Panic tried to take hold of her. “We have to go find her. We can’t be in bed.”
He didn’t relent and easily held her in place. “We don’t know where to go yet, and you need rest. You have to warm up, baby.”
She curled her toes, still feeling the pain. “Why am I so cold?”
“You don’t remember?” His breath brushed her hair.
She blinked and tried to remember. Moments and pictures wound through her memory. “There was a unicorn.”
He caressed heat into her hip. “Maybe start before that.”
Good point. “I can’t just lie here, Denver.” There had to be something she could do.
“I have multiple searches going on right now on the Internet. I’m tracing Cobb’s movements a week ago as well as those from yesterday. We have buddies in the FAA looking for the plane. There is nothing you can do right now but heal. I promise.” He kept caressing her as if he couldn’t stop touching her. “What you can do is tell me everything. Just tell me what happened, and maybe something will spark. Trust me.”
She wasn’t sure she could remember. For Talia, she’d try. “After the hotel, they gave me something. I fell asleep and woke up in the hangar with Dr. Madison, and she injected me with something else.”
He stiffened and then slowly relaxed behind her. “I know. Did she tell you anything?” A fine tremor rode his hard voice.
“I didn’t see Talia. Not once. Madison said she was in the plane, but I never saw her.” Noni’s throat clogged, and her heart curled in. “I don’t know where she is.”
“Madison said she has the baby, and she’s telling the truth,” Denver said firmly. “The baby is leverage. She’s safe.”
Tears gathered in Noni’s eyes. “That poor baby has been leverage since she was born.” God, it hurt. The fear was so real she could taste it. “What does Madison want? Why not take me?”
“Madison is crazy and wants all of us. She didn’t take you because she has the baby.” Denver moved Noni’s hair out of the way and kissed the nape of her neck as if trying to give comfort. There was nothing sexual in his touch or kiss. It was all promise and comfort. “Seeing you in pain is supposed to motivate me,” he said quietly.
