Paul let his hands drop, stunned by the harsh rejection.
“You were right about one thing,” she said over her shoulder.“I lied when I said you weren’t that good.You’re the best time I’ve ever had, too.”
He stared at her retreating form in utter devastation.He wasn’t sorry she appreciated his physical prowess.What bothered him was her refusal to acknowledge their emotional connection.She was putting on a show of indifference, and he hated it.He followed her outside and shoved his hands in his pockets.He couldn’t think of a way to make her stay.He could only watch her leave, like a chump.
As she walked toward her vehicle, he felt a new flicker of unease.
Something wasn’t right.
“Wait,” he said, lurching forward.“Don’t go.”
“I have to get back to Emily.”
He stepped closer to Vanessa.Although he avoided looking directly into the cab to confirm his suspicions, he knew someone was there.He’d spotted the outline of a human shape.“What about Penelope?”
Vanessa paused, frowning.“Penelope?”
“She’s inside the cabin.”
She seemed confused by this pronouncement, probably because it made no sense.He’d returned Penelope to her father’s house last night.The doll was safe and sound.“What are you talking about?”
Paul kept his tone mild, calculating how long it would take to get his gun.“You can’t leave without her.”
“She’s not here.”
“Don’t get in the car,” he said quietly.
The warning edge in his voice must have struck her as she reached for the door handle.Either that, or she saw the dark figure crouched in the cab.She jerked her hand away and scrambled backward, but it was too late.
Bennett was already stepping outside.
Paul didn’t have the luxury of going for his service weapon.He jumped in front of Vanessa and shoved her backwards as Bennett emerged from the vehicle with a crazed smile.His fancy clothes were disheveled, his shirt was damp with sweat, and he had leaves in his hair.The dark bruise around his eye added to his dishabille.Paul’s greatest concern was the snub-nosed pistol, held in a loose grip.Paul raised his palms to show he wasn’t a threat.
“Sorry to interrupt this little tête-à-tête,” Bennett said.He made an idle gesture, waving the gun around.Vanessa drew in a sharp breath.“I was going to wait until you were alone, but your boyfriend ruined the surprise.”
“What do you want?”Paul asked.
“I want my wife,” Bennett said.He flashed another weird, tense smile.“I need her assistance.”
Vanessa gripped Paul’s arm, but she didn’t move.
“Let her come with me, and no one gets hurt.”
Paul swallowed hard.The last time he’d faced an armed assailant, three people had been shot, himself included.Bennett didn’t strike him as a cold-blooded killer, but Paul wasn’t going to make any sudden moves.At this range, no expertise was needed.Bennett could blow a hole right through Paul and hit Vanessa, too.
“What happened to your car?”Paul asked.
“I got rid of it,” Bennett said, glancing toward the lake.The muzzle wavered as his attention shifted.Paul considered tackling the man to the ground and ending this farce.Bennett wasn’t proficient with a weapon.He might pull the trigger on accident.
“Leave us alone, Bennett,” Vanessa said.“I’m not going with you.”
Bennett’s mouth curled downward.“But you are, my love.I need a new vehicle and a ride to Mexico.If you take me across the border, our custody agreement stands.I won’t petition to withdraw it.”
Her fingernails dug into Paul’s arm.Bennett’s threat to renege on the custody deal was effective emotional warfare.Paul sensed Vanessa wavering.
“Help me just this once,” Bennett continued.“As soon as I’m safe, you can walk away.You’ll never hear from me again.”
“That won’t work,” Paul said.
