“Who the fuck is Shane Billows?” Coop demanded.
Jake answered for Ryker. “He was one of the two men who died in the set-up the day Lisa was taken.”
Even Grant’s eyes grew a bit wide at that. “One of your own teammates was giving this Young fucker information about you and this Lisa woman?”
“That’s so wrong,” Mac shook her head.
“He may not have been purposely reporting to Young,” Ryker said, trying to deflate the level of anger in the room. “You have to remember...Anthony Young was CIA. He knew how to get information without it seeming like he was digging for information.”
Mac wasn’t buying it. “Still seems pretty messed up, if you ask me.”
“None of that shit matters, now!” Trevor practically shouted. “I don’t care who told Young what. Lexi is the only thing that matters. She’s what’s important.”
“I’m sorry, Trev. I didn’t mean to—”
“I don’t need your apology, Mac. I need to find Lexi before that bastard hurts her again. Before he ki...kills her.”
“That may not be possible,” Derek said softly.
“What do you mean?”
Derek shook his head, his expression sorrowful. “I mean, unless he sends us a live feed, we have no way to find him.”
“So, we’rehopingthis guy sends us a video of him hurting Lexi even more, only in real time? Is that really what you’re saying?” Grant sounded about as pissed at the situation as Trevor felt.
In answer to Grant’s question, Derek said, “It’s all wecando.”
****
Lexi had never hada broken bone before, but if she ever made it out of this alive, she’d do whatever she could to never have another one again. Though, he’d only broken her pinky, the fiery pain running through her hand and up the length of her arm hurt like a bitch.
Lying on the table’s hard, wooden slats, she had to force herself to take slow, steady breaths so she wouldn’t throw up. The man had made that horrible recording for Trevor and then left her alone again.
She was still reeling from the fact that all this was happening because of Trevor. No, not because of Trevor. Because this man blamed Trevor for something that wasn’t his fault.
Lexi nearly gave into the sorrow she felt. Not for herself, although she wasn’t exactly thrilled about her situation. Heart shattered from the thought of Trevor thinking any of this was his fault.
And how could he not? The man who’d taken her had told him as much.
“Oh, God, Trevor,” Lexi whispered brokenly. “I’m so sorry.”
She wished he were here so she could tell him. Lexi wanted him to hear her say it was okay. That she didn’t blame him, and this man—whoever he was—was wrong. This wasn’t Trevor’s fault. None of it was.
Most of all, Lexi wanted to be able to tell Trevor at least once before she died that she loved him.
An idea began to form. Maybe...maybe she could talk the madman into sending Trevor a live video, rather than recording it and sending it after the fact. It seemed silly, but she wanted him to hear her say the words as she spoke them. And if he could hear her, there may be a chance she could hear him.
What felt like an eternity later, the man re-entered the room. He walked past her and went over to where the bucket lay next to the chair she’d been tied to. Lexi watched as he picked it up and carried it over, setting it down onto the floor next to her head.
“Time to make another video for Soldier Boy,” he said, excitement gleaming in his eyes.
Now’s your chance, Lex.The need to have Trevor hear her voice—and her, his—became so intense, she had to physically work to not sound too anxious when she spoke.
“Th-thank you.”
Her words made him pause. Looking suspicious, he said, “Now, why on earth wouldyouthankme?”
Lexi swallowed. “I was just lying here thinking how grateful I was that you sent a recording, and not a live video.”
