"I secured a little Ketamine and Ativan from a veterinarian friend of mine." Collin's breath was hot against her ear. "I've been saving this special little cocktail just for you."
Sedatives?
Her already-racing heart beat so fast her vision blurred. Fighting against the new level of panic that surged through her, she tried to shove away from her car to defend herself before they took effect. But already her limbs felt heavy and disjointed. Or maybe it was the knowledge that what he'd given her would totally incapacitate her, allowing him to do whatever he wanted to her.
A sinking sensation swooped downward through her chest and abdomen, simultaneously filling her with dread and nausea. Her hands shook so badly, she could hardly fight against him.
Collin's laughter rang in her ears, drowning out the alarm bells. "Oh, I'm going to have fun with you, my little cowgirl." Then his voice turned hard. "You're the only woman who refused to give in to me,and you're going to pay for that. Then I'll make your cousin pay for interrupting our little party."
Fueled by anger and contempt, she kicked and clawed at Collin, anything to protect herself. She screamed and swore as she swung her arms and fists wildly with every ounce of energy she could muster, but he withstood her blows, laughing the whole time.
All too soon her limbs lost their strength and darkness closed in. A bizarre sense of calm that didn't fit her circumstances settled over her.
It's the drugs.
Her thoughts turned to Daniel as the blackness claimed her. What would this do to him?
"Riley? What's going on?"Daniel shouted into his phone as he bolted to his feet, nearly knocking his drafting table over.
A muffled man's voice filled his ear, followed by the sounds of a struggle and a cry of alarm. Daniel was already halfway to his front door when Riley's scream for help came through his phone.
His gut clenched so hard it sent hot bile shooting up his throat.
"Riley!"
The only response was more muted voices and scuffling sounds, then Riley screamed again.
This time, his stomach plummeted.
Collin Ainsworth found Riley.
He was sure of it and the thought of what the man intended to do to her sickened him. He yelled Riley's name again but was greeted by what sounded like the slamming of a car door. He swore and ended the call then grabbed his keys. He had Robert on the phone by the time he reached his truck.
"Something's happened to Riley," he said as soon as Robert answered.
"What's happened?"
"I don't know. I was on the phone with her when suddenly therewas a muffled man's voice, the sound of a struggle, and Riley screaming for help."
Robert swore on the other end of the phone. "Where is she?"
"She was just leaving the hospital."
"I'll head over there."
"I'm coming too." Staying on the line with Robert, he started his truck and took off down the lane with a squeal of rubber on pavement.
Daniel was almost halfway to town when Robert reported that he'd arrived at the hospital. More swear words came over the line. "I need to call this in." Then the line went dead.
Daniel echoed Robert's swear words. He lifted his phone again to call Jake. He should know something was going on with Riley.
A loud honk sounded, pulling his attention away from his phone.
Daniel looked up to see that he'd strayed from his lane, heading straight toward a dark red car. He jerked his wheel to the right, over correcting. Now he headed for a reflector post. He braked hard and corrected his steering again. Once he had his truck under control, he sucked in a deep breath, he found Jake's contact, then picked up his speed again.
Daniel made it to town in half the time it usually took. His tires screeched when he brought his truck to a stop just outside the back parking lot where Riley usually parked. He would have pulled into the lot, but a police cruiser blocked the entrance. Robert's Tahoe and another police car were parked near Riley's gray Jeep.
He jumped from his truck and raced toward Robert. "Where's Riley?"
