*
Darryn phoned Dalewhen he reached Sea Point, about a block away from the building.He’d made the journey in record time.Fortunately, it wasn’t peak time for the traffic yet and he could drive relatively fast.But he had to know whether Hannah was still okay.
Dale’s phone only rang and rang and, swearing, Darryn dialed the number again.This time his brother answered.
Before Dale answered, sounds of people running and shouting interrupted.An icy-cold hand closed around his heart.
“What happened?”he barked.
“Hannah…she’s gone,” Dale said.“I think White took her.I’ve phoned Don, and he’ll contact the police.Someone started a fire.It’s small and they have been able to contain it, but—”
“I’m close,” Darryn shouted before Dale had finished talking.He threw down his phone and stepped on the gas.The roaring in his ears made it impossible to think, to talk.His instincts kicked in, and the only thought in his mind was getting to Hannah.He had to protect her.Life without her wasn’t worth living.It was that simple.And if Stephen White did something to her, hurt her in any way, he would pay.
As he neared the building, he saw smoke billowing out of the windows on one side.The sound of sirens rang out.Good.Fire engines were heading toward them.People hurried outside through the big front doors.
With screeching brakes, he stopped his car and jumped out while he scanned the faces of the people passing him.He would recognize Hannah’s hair anywhere.
Frantically, he moved forward.He couldn’t see her.Think, Cavallo, think!What would that bastard do?He would try to get her outside as soon as possible.
As he turned around, Dale and the security guard came running out.Damn it, White probably knew that Hannah had people watching over her.
“Do you see her anywhere?”Dale asked.
“How long since the shoot?”Darryn asked, ignoring Dale’s stupid question.If he’d seen her, he wouldn’t be standing there, damn it!
“It probably only five minutes ago, although so much else has happened since.”
“Then they must still be close by,” Darryn said while he scanned the crowd.He noticed the parking area behind the building and pointed toward it.
“Let’s have a look over there,” he said.“He probably parked his car where he would be able to take off quickly—let’s check the area.”He began jogging, ignoring the headache behind his eyes.
*
Stephen pushed thegun against her back.“The black van over there.”He shoved her forward.
Hannah gnashed her teeth.Her high heels weren’t meant to be worn during long walks and definitely not when she was being pushed around, but she didn’t want to take them off just yet.They were going to come in handy quite soon.
She was mad as hell.This idiot had messed up her budding relationship with Darryn two years ago, he’d hurt her, he had hurt her sister, and had hurt Darryn.Her mind raced.She didn’t have much time left, and if she wanted to get away, she had to do it very soon.
“So where are all the Cavallos now?”His laugh was high, near hysterical.Stephen yanked her against his body with his one arm.“You’re all alone.Not even Darryn Cavallo is in sight!”
The guy probably hadn’t had a shower in days, and he also had too much to drink; the stench wafting from him was overwhelming.She swallowed against the nausea that rose in her throat, but she kept still.
“No, it’s only you and me, Stephen.Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”she said sweetly.
His arm stilled around her body.“That’s right,” he said.“You and me, I like the sound of that.”And again his high-pitched laughter followed.
They reached the car.She would have one chance.That was it.
Stephen’s one arm dropped from her body as he fiddled in his pocket, probably looking for his car keys.
“I—”
“Stand still!”he ordered, yanking her back again.He unlocked the passenger door of the car.
“I only want to take my shoes off, they’re hurting me.Surely you won’t mind that?”Hannah asked meekly and moved so she leaned against the car.
Stephen came closer, still wielding the gun.
