She nodded. Reece jumped out and stepped forward to open the gate. Once the SUV disappeared over the dip, he closed the gate, turned, and sprinted uphill to the house. He reached the cabin and hunkered down out of sight. His brain worked overtime on a plan of action—whether Jay was armed or not played on his mind. Aria’s safety came first. He had to get her out of harm’s way. If he played his cards right and entered through the back door, he might surprise Jay.
Keeping his body as low to the ground as possible, Reece circled the property until he reached the kitchen door. He peeked in through the window. Nothing. Cautiously, he slipped the ring with two keys on it out of his pocket. He slid one into the keyhole. Reece held his breath as the key turned in the lock. Slowly, he edged the door open and waited. Still nothing. He stood in the kitchen for a moment and glanced around. His gaze dropped to the toppled chair on the floor and then the broken mug next to it. Pain wrenched at his heart. Fearing the worst, he tiptoed toward Aria’s bedroom. He popped his head in the open doorway. Empty. Confused, he slammed the door behind him. He raced first to Prisha’s room then to the office. Nothing.
His heart pounded so loud, Reece feared he’d faint from the sheer dizziness that stole his breath. Unable to walk further, he stalled in the center of the spinning room and blinked hard.Fuck.He needed to keep it together—for Prisha’s sake. Desperate, he shoved aside the mounting gloom of darkness, bent over, and sucked in a deep breath. He glanced at the clock. It took less than ten minutes for him to return. Puzzled, he shook his head. They would’ve passed him when they left the property. Reece stepped outside and glanced left then right.What the fuck?People didn’t disappear into thin air.
“Aria!” His stomach muscles tightened as he ran down the porch steps. He ran a three-sixty of the property. When he returned to the front, Sheriff Banes’ truck came up the driveway.
The second the vehicle stopped, Reece raced over to the driver’s side. The sheriff jumped out with a quick nod. “Where is he?”
“That’s the problem, Jack, I don’t have a fucking clue.” Reece winced. His gaze darted all over the property grounds.
“What do you mean?” Jack Banes, an energetic man in his early fifties, stared at Reece in confusion.
A week ago, Reece had persuaded Aria to share her concerns with the Sheriff. If Jay turned up, at least the Sheriff would be aware of the imminent danger to Aria and her daughter. The ploy, however, backfired since Jay had stayed one step ahead.
“They disappeared.”
“Disappeared? How? Did you see Jay?”
Reece shook his head. “Nope. But it’s him, Jack. Aria...” he trailed off as his heart clenched in fear. God, he’d kill the son of a bitch when he got his hands on the man.
“It’s okay, Reece. From what Kelly’s told me, I don’t think he wants to hurt her,” Jack consoled with a light touch to Reece’s back. “Have you checked the entire house?” He nodded at the sheriff. “What about the rest of the property?”
“Just the immediate area. I’m goin’ ’round back to check those trees.” He pointed to the edge of the grounds where he’d searched for the cat.
“Hang on a sec, son. Let me get Phil on the radio to bring the dogs.” Jack referred to his 2IC back at the station.
“That will take time. You radio Phil while I go on ahead.”
As if sensing nothing he said would stop Reece, the older man relented. “Just be careful, son.”
While Banes went back to his vehicle and radioed Phil, Reece hurried over the snow-covered ground. He made his way down the embankment toward the thicket at the back of the house. Silently, he cursed. Aria had been right. How many times had she mentioned Jay finding her? And like an idiot, Reece let his guard down. His promise Jay didn’t know her location left him feeling like a total ass.
Reece ducked to avoid a branch and stopped. His alert gaze roamed the area. He shoved aside his anger and the chaotic emotions threatening to suffocate his judgment. He needed to think clearly. Another five minutes of searching brought him to the gaping hole where he’d found the cat. He looked in. The dismal darkness of the interior, however, obscured his view.
“Aria?” he called out and hoped for a response.
Reece no longer cared if Jay knew he searched for Aria. He just needed a sign— some promise she was okay. The stillness agitated his already frazzled nerves. Numb fingers of pain clamped his heart and held on tight. He turned away from the cave and raked a hand through his hair. A moment of indecision stifled his breath. Fuck. He made his way back to Jack. A flashlight and the dogs would help the search better. Reece glanced up at the sky with a groan. The falling snow, intensified since he left the cabin, covered his tracks quickly, and would make it impossible for the dogs to track anything.
****
ARIA MOANED. HER BLURREDgaze riveted on Reece’s back as he turned and walked away. She hadn’t considered herself a damsel in distress but watching his retreating frame; her heart cried out.Don’t leave Reece. I’m here.The ground was cold beneath her shaking body, where Jay held her firm. He’d planned everything. The darkness a perfect cover for his clandestine abduction no one saw coming. Unconsciously, she gave in to the tears. Aria prayed for this nightmare to be over and everything to go back to normal. The snug comfort of Reece’s arms, his mischievous smile, and silky-smooth words when he wanted to charm her, the heaven she wanted. As she wriggled under his hold, Jay tightened his grip and pressed her face hard into the wet, cold sand. Her cheek numbed quickly. The gun pushed firmly into her neck, warned her not to move or make a sound. Not that she could. He’d secured her mouth and hands with duct tape. She squeezed her eyes tight to stop the tears.
Annoyed, she recalled those frenzied few minutes after Reece left with Prisha’s gloves. As soon as Reece jumped into Kelly’s SUV, Jay sauntered back into the living room. He demanded she go with him. Angered, she’d retaliated by throwing a mug and the chair at him—a useless effort he’d easily avoided. Then, the gun came out again, and she relented. She was easily disgusted with herself for not trying harder to fend him off. Bravely, she calmed herself with the knowledge her actions protected the two people who meant the world to her.
“Let’s go,” Jay’s whisper interrupted her mental anguish. He pulled her to her feet and swung the full beam of a flashlight in front.
Chilled to the bone, Aria swayed a little then regained her balance. With another silent prayer, she forced her rigid body to be led away, deeper into the mysterious cavern. She had no idea this hole in the mountain existed. Sometimes an added measure of safety checks on your entire property was worth it—to confirm nothing disgusting lurked there. Aria glanced at Jay. Pity her gaze couldn’t shoot poisonous darts, or he’d be dead.
Strategically, she slowed her steps, but he dragged her along. Her nostrils flared, she tilted her head and sniffed the air. The lake. She picked up the unmistakable smell amid the dank cave. Several minutes later, her eyes widened as the brightness in front grew larger with each step until she emerged into the falling snow.
Stunned, Aria gaped open-mouthed. She stood on a ledge. The high shelf overlooked the lake behind Shadow Valley, used mainly during the fishing season. Her heart sank as she eyed the deserted area. The vast expanse of water lay empty except for a single plane. It bobbed on the ripple of waves. Dismayed, she lifted her gaze heavenward. Thick, gray clouds approached from the east. A storm brewed on the horizon. Only people privy to the area could read the signs of impending weather that would take a turn for the worse without warning.
“C’ mon, our ride’s waiting.” Jay pushed at her lower back and urged her forward.
She shook her head vehemently and pointed at the water. Her barely audible moans fell on deaf ears. He refused to heed her caution.
Jay tapped the nose of the gun against her chest. “Move, Aria, or I won’t hesitate to shoot you right now. If I can’t have you, no man will.” His sarcastic grin mutated into an ugly sneer. Suddenly, she believed he meant every word.
