Finn was already moving. “I’m heading out.”
“I’m right behind you,” said Dex. “I’ve already texted Caleb the coordinates. He’ll follow us.”
Lainey stared straight ahead,arms crossed tightly around her middle. The seat belt cut across her chest, but she barely felt it. Her skin was clammy. Her stomach clenched so tight it hurt. Theair in the cab was too warm and stale. Travis smoked, but she sure wasn’t saying anything.
Travis hadn’t said a word since they left the road, driving like he had all the time in the world, his hands loose on the wheel. One elbow rested on the door like this was some lazy Sunday drive with the wife. Like this wasn’t a kidnapping. Like she hadn’t just watched her son vanish into the woods. She prayed with everything in her that he was all right. She could still see the confusion and fear in his eyes.
The truck rumbled beneath her, jarring her spine over every bump. They were on an auxiliary road, one that wasn’t paved. One she’d never been on.
But she wasn’t just sitting there. She was memorizing everything. Noting every curve and landmark on the road. Because if she made it out, she’d use it all. No way was she giving up without a fight.
She didn’t know where he was taking her. Or why. But her gut told her it wasn’t anywhere good.
Still, she knew one thing for sure.
Finn was coming.
And whoever was behind this just made the biggest mistake of their life.
CHAPTER 46
Old Lake Roadwas a half hour from the Brotherhood Alliance. Finn’s hands were clenched tight around the steering wheel, knuckles white. He took a couple of deep breaths. Lainey and Luke needed him calm for whatever he was about to find.
He turned onto Maple Hollow Road. The picturesque road held nothing but heartache and dread right now.
Dex sat in the passenger seat, tablet balanced on his lap. Caleb was close behind in his truck.
“We’re getting close,” Dex said, scanning the screen. “Ping came from somewhere straight ahead.”
“She liked driving down this road, found it peaceful,” Finn muttered. “I shouldn’t have let her drive Luke to school. I should have put more security on them.”
“Don’t go there,” Dex said quietly. “We’re gonna find them.”
Just ahead, Dex pointed. “There’s her car.”
Lainey’s SUV was on the side of the road, half on the shoulder. The back door was open.
Finn slammed on the brakes and jumped out. Dex and Caleb followed.
“Fuck,” Dex muttered, touching the hood. “It’s cold.”
“And look,” said Caleb, pointing to the ground. “Something leaked. Looks like brake fluid.”
Finn’s gut clenched. He crouched down, staring at the dark puddle under the rear axle. “That’s not right.”
“It doesn’t mean the line was cut,” Dex said. “Could be a rupture or failure from the ABS system.”
“Either way, she lost control,” Finn snapped. “And now she and Luke are gone.”
The three of them fanned out, searching the immediate area, but saw no blood. No sign of a struggle. No hints as to what happened to Lainey and Luke.
Caleb crouched on the ground near the back of the car. “Phone’s here.” He lay flat on his stomach, reached under and pulled it out. “I wonder if she threw it there?”
Finn stared at the dirt-smudged screen. “She knew,” Finn said, his voice low and cracking. “She knew something was wrong.”
Dex walked in a slow circle around the car. “No signs of a struggle here. But look.” He pointed toward the tree line.
Finn followed his line of sight. Some broken twigs. Could they have escaped? He hoped so.
