Opening the restroom door, the evening air hit her face, carrying the salt tang of the sea and the sweet decay of overripe mangoes from the vendor carts. She joined the last few passengers hurrying across the terminal's worn floor, the weight of the decision heavy on her shoulders but lighter than the chains of captivity she'd just escaped.
Chapter 9
The morning sun cast long shadows across the cobblestone streets of Conrad, the main town on the island of St. Felipe. Britt strolled from the waterfront hotel where she’d stayed last night through the historic district. Her heart quickened with each familiar sight—not the tentative recognition of a tourist who'd visited once, but the bone-deep knowing of someone who'd walked these paths countless times before.
She paused at the corner of King and Bishop Streets, her hand trailing along the weathered yellow colonial building. Without conscious thought, she turned right, already knowing that Nettie’s would be there, its faded green and white awning fluttering in the warm Caribbean breeze. The scent of roasted goat wafted from its open doors, stirring something in her memory—plates piled high with jerk goat tenders, rice and peas, and fried plantains, laughter, gossip shared over plastic cups filled with sweet hibiscus tea.
“I was here,” she whispered, pressing her hand to her chest where her heart hammered. “Ilivedhere.”
Each step brought new confirmation. She knew the jeweler three doors down specialized in hook bracelets and the narrow alley between buildings led to a hidden courtyard with acenturies-old well. These weren't tourist facts gleaned from a guidebook—they were intimate details emerging from her fractured memory.
She’d made the right decision to come to St. Felipe. But being surrounded by all the familiar sites of Conrad had triggered another truth—the address she remembered was far from town. Maybe an hour or more, but she couldn’t remember exactly which direction. As eager as she was to get to 67 Nova Lane, she had to be smart about it. Cover her tracks. Come up with a plan.
Pausing as cars sped along the road toward the ferry dock, Britt took a detour through two buildings where she believed a tranquil park and playground were tucked away under a canopy of palm trees. She smiled when her memory emerged before her like a mirage.
Except this was real.
Children’s laughter drifted in the air. Young bodies darted between the palm trees in what appeared to be an elaborate combination of dodgeball and kickball.
Britt settled onto a worn wooden bench.
That’s when she noticed him.
The man stood partially concealed behind a massive mahogany tree, his attention fixed in her direction. He was trying too hard to look casual, his stance too rigid for someone simply enjoying the morning. A cold trickle of fear slid down Britt's spine.
Was he here looking for her?
She forced herself to remain seated, fighting the urge to flee. Paranoia was expected after everything she’d been through. But it didn’t mean that danger lurked in broad daylight where children played in a public park. If the man wanted to take her, he’d had easier opportunities as she zigzagged through the empty alleyways of Conrad this morning.
Britt forced her attention away from the man, her gaze drawn to the red ball soaring through the air. A little girl of about five jumped, snatching it from its trajectory, then hurled it at a little boy, nailing him in the back. She raised her arms triumphantly, the sun glowing against her cinnamon-brown skin. Something about the way she threw her head back in mischievous laughter, the particular angle of her chin, the soft curve of her cheeks …
Leaning forward, Britt inhaled a sharp breath. Her chest constricted with an emotion she couldn’t name. Protectiveness? Longing? It caught her off guard as she stared at the little girl moving with carefree playfulness. Her curly pigtails bounced as she high-fived a few other kids, then turned her attention back to the game. A bigger kid kicked the ball and aimed it at the little girl. The rubber ball tipped off her little hands, ricocheting through the bushes to an enclave of the small park where a swing set and playground slide stood empty. She turned around frantically, then chased after the ball.
The man moved from beneath the mahogany tree, his eyes locked on the little girl. Britt’s gaze darted between him and the hedges that swallowed the little girl, her protective instincts flaring stronger.
Fear sliced through her as the man took slow, purposeful steps toward the hedges. His gaze trained on the spot where the little girl had squeezed through.
Was he a child predator? Had he been watching the little girl all this time? Was that why she felt a strong protective surge toward her?
Britt was moving before she realized it, ducking behind a jungle gym and crossing to the enclave on the other side of the hedges. The little girl raced across her path, nearly colliding with her.
“Sorry,” the girl said, eyes focused on the red rubber ball resting in a puddle by the swings. Britt reached out and grabbed her arm, stopping her.
“Wait,” Britt said, glancing over the hedges. The man was moving across the field, closing in on the area. When she looked back into the little girl’s face, the gaze in the child’s eyes tugged at her heart.
She looked in awe as if she was staring at a movie star.
“Hi,” the little girl said.
“Hi,” Britt responded, caressing a hand down the girl’s face. A possessiveness she didn’t understand blossomed within her. She had no time to assess why with the man looming. “Listen to me carefully.” She grabbed the little girl’s hands in hers. “This is going to sound strange, but I need you to hide inside the slide. There’s a bad man over there, and I’m afraid he might hurt you. But if you hide, you’ll be safe. Do you understand?”
She nodded her head earnestly, her dark-eyed gaze locked onto Britt.
“I don’t want you to be scared,” Britt said, hoping she wasn’t freaking the little girl out. But she couldn’t ignore her instincts. She knew the man was in the park to hurt this child.
“I’m not scared,” the little girl said as a smile curved her lips. “I trust you.”
“You trust me?” Britt asked, glancing back at the man, who seemed confused about how to enter the enclave.
