It took Boone a good five seconds to decide before he let out a string of curses on his way to the passenger side. As he drove them away from the hospital, Emmett forced himself to remain mission focused. Not an easy task, but one he knew was necessary.
If he let his emotions in, if Emmett allowed himself to wonder where Janie was or what she was suffering, he might never be able to bring himself back to the clarity needed to save her.
So he didn’t feel fear or terror. There was no time for sadness or regret. Those things could come later, after Janie was safe. For now, the only thing he felt was a murderous need to kill.
Hold on for me, sweetheart. I’m coming for you.
And he’d keep going until he found her.
Janie woke to the throbbing pulse of her own heartbeat as it pounded its way through her head. She kept her eyes closed for fear that letting in any light would make it worse.
She was laying down on something sort-of soft, but not comfortable. That much she could tell.
At first, she wasn’t sure what happened or even where she was. Her memories were faded, and as she tried sorting them out, they became blurred with one another.
She made another attempt, this time letting them come on their own, rather than forcing them in. The first clear thought to enter Janie’s mind wasn’t a thought at all but a picture.
Emmett.
She smiled as his ruggedly handsome face filled her internal vision. Soon more memories came in an order that made more sense.
They’d been in his apartment. She’d been upset. Everything with Amy’s murder and the attacks on her own life had hit her all at once.
Janie remembered talking with Emmett. The incredible man had all but confessed his love. He hadn’t said the actual words, but what he did say was enough. And then he’d made such sweet love to her after.
Right there, on his big, comfy couch.
There’d been a phone call sometime later. Shewinced, releasing a whimper of sorrow when the memory of seeing Devon’s bruised body returned.
I’m so sorry.
Tears fell from Janie’s sealed lids. One tickled the bridge of her nose as it passed, and she reached up to swipe it away.
The bathroom.
She’d been leaving the hospital bathroom. That was the last thing Janie remembered. Knowing she couldn’t avoid reality any longer, she fought through the fear and opened her eyes.
No!
Janie pushed herself up, her breath freezing inside her lungs. She was in concrete room that couldn’t be any bigger than twelve-by-twelve. The mattress beneath her was paper thin and stained.
There were no windows, just a small fixture mounted in the center of the ceiling The door to the room appeared to be metal. Its hinges sturdy and shiny, making them appear new.
Peeling paint. Concrete that was cracked and chipped. An inch of dirt covering the floor, and she didn’t even want to think about what had been on that mattress.
Janie pushed herself up, wavering slightly as she attempted to stand. Her hand shot out to the side, and she pressed her palm against the cool wall to keep herself steady. The wave of dizziness passed, and she blinked several times to clear her vision.
Because the room was small, it took less than a dozen steps to get to the door. It was thick and virtually impenetrable. The damn thing was also locked.
I’m trapped.
She was locked up without any way of calling for help. There were no means of escape or even a way to attempt to get herself free.
All Janie could do was go back to the mattress and sit with her back to the wall. She brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them tight. With nothing else to do but sit and wait for someone to come, Janie kept her guard up and a vigil eye on the door.
And then, she began to pray.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
