“You’re so clever.” He sneers, his tone mocking and derisive.
“Someone’s gotta be, and it’s obviously not you.”
He catches up, grabbing the back of my shirt and shoving me sideways.
“Stop with the attitude,” he growls. “You know how this game works, and you made the vital mistake.”
“What’s that?” I ground out through clenched teeth.
“You started caring.”
That’s precisely when my problems arose forty-eight hours ago. When I realized who was here and that I couldn’t leave her. But he’s wrong. Having someone to care about, someone to love, I feel stronger than ever. The only danger is when that person is being used against me, like now.
“There’s no room for that in this business. Now find my painting, or my bullet will find your heart.”
“Are you really that good of a shot?”
He punches at me, but I block him, reaching for his gun, but his grip remains tight. I stomp on his foot, then throw an uppercut into his chin as he falls forward. My knuckles crack, pain ricocheting up my arm at the contact with his trunk-sized head. It doesn’t knock him out like I’d hoped, but he’s off-balance, and I kick his knee. It’s a cheap shot, but effective. He goes down hard and with a loud groan.
I snatch the gun free of his hand and sprint.
I can’t think of anything except getting to the balcony as I race down the hall and through the wide doors. It’s dark outside, but I leave the light off, so he won’t be able to see us when he comes looking.IfI find whoever is out here.
I can’t think like that. They’re okay. They have to be.
“Maya? Bella?” I holler into the wind.
There’s a muffled sound off to the left, and I head straight for it.
I search near the hot tub and patio set but come up empty. No one in the cabana either. There’s a small space between the wall and the cabana, but there’s no way both of them could fit there.
I shine my light anyway.
“Maya…” I breathe a sigh of relief as I spot her small form in the opening, tied to the railing behind her. I drop in front of her, setting the gun on the ground and getting to work on the ties around her wrists and ankles, ripping her gag out.
“Bella! Is she safe?” she asks.
My hands falter. She was supposed to be with Maya. “Where is she?”
“She was in her room. You have to get to her.”
“I will, right after you’re safe.”
“No. Soren. Saveher.” Her chin quivers and tears line her eyes. She kicks her feet as if that will somehow help things.
“Stop fighting me, woman. I’ll keep you both safe, I promise.”
She clamps her lips shut, and once her hands are free, she helps untangle her ankles. She stands, kicking something as she does…
The gun.No.
It skids across the balcony and slides under the railing.
I pinch my eyes closed. There goes my one advantage. It’s all right. I can adapt; I’ve never liked using guns, anyway.
I open my eyes and pull Maya up, keeping her hand in mine and peering into the house. I don’t see any movement. But knowing Bella is in her bed helpless, the lack of movement doesn’t bring me comfort. He could be in her room right now.
“What do we do?” Maya whispers.
