But for locating Atlas, something different had been used.Where is your tracker, Atlas?Her eyes narrowed as she considered him.“If you go missing, your men have orders to track you, huh, Atlas?Makes sense.”Definitely something she should have thought about sooner.“Seeing as how you are worth millions of dollars.”
“Billions,” Atlas corrected.
He didn’t deny the tracking charge.She wondered where the tracker was.On his watch?She could see the gleaming Rolex that circled his wrist.Maybe it was hiddeninsidethe Rolex.Or maybe even on the battered silver ring that circled his right, middle finger.It was very wise of Atlas to have a tracker on him.Someone with his wealth and power would often be a potential target but…
But this isn’t some situation where Atlas is being held for ransom.This isn’t about ransom at all.She knew it with certainty.
Except…
What was it about?And why did she suddenly have even more unease prickling at her nape?Something was very wrong.Well, something beyond the fact that a killer had taken her and Atlas and tossed them down into a dank and dark basement.
“I think we should all get out of here,” she said.Goosebumps had risen onto her skin.The scene didn’t feel right.Where was the bad guy?He’d thrown them into the basement, and then what…just left?
Why?
“No one is goinganywhere,” Benedict stated, voice full of authority.“Not until I get my answers.I’ve called for backup.Local units will be responding soon, and we are all staying right the hell here until they arrive.But you fuckers are going to drop your guns, now.”
Atlas gave a slight incline of his head.Because she was watching him so closely, Lily caught the movement.
The men in black immediately lowered their weapons.They didn’t drop them, though.Just pointed them at the floor.
Her gaze went to the front door that the mini-army had used when they burst inside.“Did you try the lock?”she asked.Her stare darted to the leader.
Coal-black eyes held her gaze.Dark, buzzed hair.Clenched jaw.He shook his head.
No.No, he’d assumed the front door was locked so he’d busted inside.But…was it locked?It should have been.Should.And yet…
“Benedict,” she addressed the angry detective, “how did you get inside?”
“I came in through the back window.The sonofabitch had left it unlocked.Hell, it was actually open a few inches.Saw it and knew it was my perfect way inside.”Gruff, angry.Then, “Lily, areyouall right?What did he do to you?”
Physically, she was fine.Just a few bruises and bumps.If Atlas hadn’t cradled her with his much bigger body during that fall down the stairs, she could have wound up with broken bones…or even a brokenneck.But…
This is wrong.Everything is wrong.The perp hadn’t searched for her phone when he’d taken her and Atlas.Wasn’t that an amateur mistake?He hadn’t taken her phone.He hadn’t taken Atlas’s knife.That madetwoamateur mistakes.But she didn’t think she was dealing with an amateur and…
The window was unlocked?The detective was just able to sneak right inside?
Sloppy.Unless…
Unless you wanted people to get inside.
Oh, no.She whirled toward Atlas.“We have to get out.Now.”
His eyebrows lowered.“Why?”
“Because you do need me to save you.”Maybe to save him and his whole army of guards.“Everyone has to getout!”Her heart raced even faster.This scene wasn’t right.It was…
Too easy.
She hadn’t thought about Atlas having an army at his beck and call, but the predator who’d brought them to this cabin—maybehehad known.And if he’d known…
“We’re all going to die,” she told Atlas.“Come on!”Lily lurched toward the open door, trying to force Atlas to run with her.
He didn’t.He did wrap an arm around her and yank her back against his body.“Didn’t you hear the cop?”he said against her ear.His breath blew over her lobe.
A shiver shook Lily’s body.
“He said no one leaves.”
