“She’s not here. Her car’s still here, though.”
My vision goes black for a second and my hands begin to shake. I glance at the table again, my eyes catching on Ellie’s sketch. There’s a harsh line across it, as if something—or someone spooked her.
I’m done ignoring the signs that have been screaming atme something wasn’t right. Ryker is looking more suspicious with each passing second and Ellie is missing.
“We need to get an APB on Ryker.”
Morales shoots me a look. We both know the consequences of raising the alarm on the sheriff. If we’re wrong, it’s career ending.
Morales nods after a beat before reaching for her radio.
I scrub a hand over my face, trying to get a grip on the crippling fear that’s about to suffocate me. I can’t lose it. Not now.
We didn’t come this far for it to end this way.
“We’re going to that cabin. If they’re not there, I’m burning down the whole fucking county until I find her.”
Morales starts the engine. “And if it’s him, then what?”
“Then I kill him.”
CHAPTER 57
Elyse
WORSE THAN DEATH
PRESENT
The room is dark, the only light coming from a single, flickering bulb suspended from the ceiling. It swings lazily, casting shadows that crawl up the walls and stretch long across the floor like they’re reaching for me.
My hands are tied behind my back. The rope digs roughly, deep into my skin. My heart pounds so hard it feels like it might crack through my ribs. I try to focus, to breathe, but the fear is coiled tight in my throat, consuming me.
The only thought that brings me back, over and over again, is Dominic will find me. He has to.
Footsteps echo across the floorboards—slow and deliberate. My pulse spikes, and I hold my breath.
Ryker steps into view with a calm, unnerving smile.
“Comfortable?” he asks casually.
I glare at him. I won’t give him the satisfaction of my fear, even if it’s clawing at my insides.
He chuckles low in his throat and the sound slithers down my spine.
“Still feisty. I’ve always liked that about you, Elyse. Always thought it was so sexy.”
“Where are we?”
Smiling, his gaze roams the space. “Somewhere no one will find you, and that’s all you need to know.”
I grit my teeth. “What do you want?”
He crouches, dragging a finger down my cheek. My stomach lurches, and I fight the urge to throw up.
“I want you.”
The words land like ice water on my skin.
