She told herself it was a coincidence. It didn’t mean anything. Red kayaks were common enough. Her nerves jangling, she reached for her phone.
“Can I help you?”
She spun around and came face to face with Royer. Forcing a smile and a laugh, she asked, “Is this yours? I’ve been shopping around for my husband. He’s been wanting a kayak for himself.”
“That so?”
Royer studied her too intently. He knew who she was.
“Um. Yes.” Fear coursed through her veins and her stomach churned as she tried to figure out how to simultaneously keep him here and notify someone of his presence. He was bigger than she expected and she doubted she’d have much luck if she tried to shove him into the water.
“Well, I’m not quite ready to part with it.”
“Okay. That’s probably for the best.” Lifting her chin, she braced for him to grab her. “If you’ll excuse me, my husband’s waiting.”
To her shock, Royer stepped aside to let her pass.
She was torn. She couldn’t stay, but she didn’t want to turn her back on him either. Her knees were rubbery as she inched by, resisting the urge to bolt from his mocking gaze and threatening intent.
Just as she was sure she was free, she spotted Corey coming down the dock. The big man did more than block her path, he blocked her view of anyone in the park. She froze a beat too long and Royer caught her. One heavy arm around her midsection, the other around her mouth as his momentum carried them both into the water.
CHAPTER 19
Trent was sitting in Jess’s office with Brayden Leggett, another protector assigned to the situation. The three of them were reviewing his most recent footage from the drone flights. “I can’t pin him down,” he complained, frustrated with his lack of progress.
“Maybe he really has escaped to let things cool down,” Brayden said.
“It’s a fair theory,” Jess agreed. “We haven’t found any evidence of a campsite near the locations you’ve indicated.” She sat back in her chair, pen tapping against the armrest. “But every action he takes proves he’s not one to leave loose ends.”
No one had to say it aloud. He’d heard Royer’s concern about Natalie identifying him. She was definitely a loose end.
“I’m sure he’s squatting on that construction site,” Trent leaned back in his chair. “Something pulls him back there.”
“The Hideaway.”
Trent didn’t argue with Jess, and though it was the last thing he wanted to hear, he couldn’t ignore the possibility.
Brayden pushed to his feet, as restless as Trent felt. “Can we take another run at Corey?”
“To what end?” she asked. “Until we figure out Royer’s hold on him—” Her desk phone rang, cutting her off. A second later, both Trent and Brayden’s phones started buzzing too.
Seeing the caller ID from Boone Reynolds, his skin iced over. The man had been posted to keep an eye on Natalie while Trent and Brayden were in this meeting. “You’re on speaker,” he answered.
“Royer took Natalie,” he said, voice firm and flat. “No one saw him arrive, but he dragged her off the dock and into the water. Lucky for us, that drew some good attention.”
“Into the water and then where?”
“They didn’t surface,” Boone said. “We’re piecing it together now and looking for the trail.”
“In the water.”
“Corey was there. Told us Royer came to the marina on a jet ski earlier today. He’d been in the shop making calls and plans.”
Trent swore.
An incoming text cut off his tirade and swiping to open it, he swore again. The image of Natalie slumped in a corner, eyes closed, broke his heart. Soaking wet, her dress was plastered to her skin and her sodden hair dripped over her face and shoulders. The message was worse:
I’ll send her back when the case is dropped.
