“Sit,” he said gesturing to the small couch.
She sat up against one arm of the sofa, tucking one leg beneath her and hugging the knee of her other to her chest.“What did you mean when you said if my truck is still there?”She held her breath as she waited for the answer.
Jude sat on the other side of the couch, giving her plenty of space.His bare feet were planted wide on the wood-planked floors.He leaned closer and dropped his elbows to his knees, angling his body toward her.His pale eyes assessed her for a moment.He must have found what he was looking for because he nodded then spoke.“The men at the house might’ve taken it.”He didn’t try to sugarcoat anything, which she appreciated.“Do you store anything with identifying information inside the truck?”
She shook her head, and the damp strands of her hair tickled her neck.“No.I keep my keys and wallet on me, along with a flashlight and some supplies while inspecting.”Her hands flew to her waist where a fanny pack usually sat just above her hips.“Did I have a small black pack on when you found me?”
His gaze darkened.“No.”
“Shoot.”She licked her lips, trying to recall if it had caught on something while she was running.“It must’ve come off when I fell down the hill.”
“Then I need to find it before they do.”
Outside the rain still pounded.If only she knew how long the men would continue to search for her.“Why?What would they want from me?”
Jude shifted, angling his broad shoulders to face her more fully.“To find out how much you know.What you heard.Who you are and what type of threat you pose.I wouldn’t be surprised if the house sale falls through.They might be shaken enough to find a new location, but I’m hoping that doesn’t happen.You might’ve stumbled on something big.There’s been a spike in missing children—infants—in several counties throughout the state.Any business information on your truck?”
She blew out a breath and sat on the edge of the couch.“Yes.Name, number, email, and a QR code to my website.”
His face remained perfectly blank.“Is the business registered under your name?”
“Yeah.”She sucked in a quick breath and shot to her feet.“Oh my God.Ash.”She must have hit her head harder than she thought.He was always on her mind, even if she wasn’t actively thinking about him.“I should be home by now.He’s going to be upset.Probably called my parents.I have to get home to him.”
“You’re not going anywhere right now.”His voice took on a sharp edge.
“You mentioned your vehicle is parked somewhere, right?”She paced toward the window and glanced out.Still a torrential downpour.“I can walk.The distance doesn’t matter.”
His eyes narrowed and he pushed off the couch, stalking toward her.He stopped an arm’s length from her.“If your boyfriend or husband would rather you hike down a mountain with a possible concussion in a storm rather than stay safe inside, you need to find a new man.”He suddenly seemed…agitated?Angry?His outward appearance hadn’t changed, but his mere presence intensified.The energy seemed to pulsate from him or maybe that was his larger-than-life stature.
“No.”She shook her head and crossed her hands over her chest.“It’s not like that.I live with my twin brother, Ash.He has autism and is very routine based.”
He stared at her for a beat, those pale eyes so penetrating it made her want to squirm beneath his gaze.“Your phone died after I sent the audio clip to my team.We’ll get it on a charger, but for now, you can place a call on my phone.Is there somewhere he can stay, besides your place?”
She nodded.“His girlfriend’s condo.He can take a cab.”
“Tell him to stay there until he hears from you.”She nodded and took the outstretched cell phone from his hand.
The phone hadn’t even rung once before her twin’s familiar, monotone voice sounded over the line.
“This is Ash Nelson.Who am I speaking to?”
“Ash, it’s me—Ivy.”
“You are not calling from your number.”
“No, I’m not.I’m…using a friend’s phone.”
“This number has a San Diego area code.You don’t have any contacts saved under this number.”
“Well…” She drew the word out, not sure how to explain without worrying Ash.“It’s a friend I just met.”
“Ivy, that is a stranger.”
“I fell leaving the home inspection and he helped me.”
“You’re not supposed to talk to, touch, or trust strangers.Spell his name.”
“J-U-D-E.”She glanced up at him, looking for confirmation on his last name.He’d said it earlier, but she’d forgotten with all the other stuff going on.
