Page 67 of Auctioned to the Devil

I thought he was controlling.

Paranoid.

Overprotective.

Now I’m zip-tied in the back of a stranger’s truck while two men take me deeper into the mountains.

And for the first time since meeting Caleb Mercer, there’s nothing satisfying about admitting he was right.

The truck turns onto an unmarked logging road.

One of the men looks back at me.

“Hope your Devil’s as good as everybody says.”

I stare through the dark trees.

So do I.

Chapter 9

Caleb

Emily lies badly.

That’s the first thing I know when I find the note.

Went into town. Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.

I read it twice.

Then I call her.

Straight to voicemail.

I call again.

Nothing.

The cold feeling in my gut has kept me alive more times than I can count.

I don’t ignore it.

I grab my keys.

Twenty minutes later, Sally tells me Emily never came to the diner.

“She said she was coming to town, she always stops here first. You havent’ seen her?”

“No.”

“Did she call?”

“No. Caleb, what’s wrong?”

I turn for the door. “Call the sheriff.”

“Why?”