“She’s safe! And she’s mine!” He jumps from the chair, staring me down, and I swallow the bile that’s creeping higher and higher.
“Garrett, you need to tell us where she is.” Nick approaches him calmly, but he shakes his head.
“You’ll never find her.”
All I see is red. Ripping the computer from my desk, I throw it against the wall, smashing it into pieces.
“Fine. You don’t want to tell me. I’ll search your house, your computer, your phone. Everything, until I have her.”
With that, I storm out of the office, leaving Cade to arrest him.
My blood pumps with adrenaline on the drive to his house. I’m so close I can feel it.
She could be there.
Jerking my car to a stop, I fly out the door before I’m kicking in his.
“Jade!” I yell, stepping inside. “Baby, are you here?” I run through the house, searching every room and crevice. Coming up empty, my body deflates.
Where could she be?
I believe him when he said she’s safe. I don’t think he wanted to hurt her, and that gives me hope. I throw a lamp against the wall when someone enters inside.
“Tell me what to do,” Nick demands, ready to help.
“Find her.”
We search up and down, leaving nothing unturned. Something here has to tell us where he’s keeping her.
“Hey, Sheriff? You might want to see this,” Nick says, walking over to me with a paper in his hand.
It’s a deed to a cabin. It’s about an hour from here and deep in the hills.
The perfect place to hide her.
I rip the papers from his hand and bolt to my car, leaving Nick behind in dust.
Flicking my sirens on, I speed to the cabin as fast as I can.
My heart thumps, and a weight feels like it’s been lifted.
“I’m coming, baby.”
Idid it.
My hands slip free of the knots, and I quickly get to work on my feet.
Free at last, I let out a cry of relief and make my escape.
Pushing through the cabin door, a cry escapes when I look around at the endless forest. I have no idea where I am, but I take off for the gravel road.
My knees are wobbly and my bones tired, but I keep going.
I have no idea what time of day it is, and I pray the dark doesn’t fall before I make it down this hill. So far, the road has been straight and I can only pray it stays that way. A straight shot to safety.
My body is so weak and tired. I only make it another mile before I collapse.
I feel like I’ve been walking forever, but as I look around, the trees still surround me. A little bit of my hope dies. I got away, but I don’t want to die out here in this forest.
