Page 36 of Daddy’s Hunted Bride

But there is no green-eyed babygirl staring up at me with that odd mix of wonder, confusion, and righteous fury I’ve already become so addicted to. Only an empty space where she should be standing.

Bram turns, Josie’s rolled-up diaper in his hand and a frown tugging at his lips. “Where’s Vanessa?”

“I don’t know. She was right behind me when…”

When Josie tried to throw herself onto the front steps. But was she still with me when we actually came into the house?

I think back, my heart racing as I mentally retrace my steps. No matter how hard I try, however, I can’t picture Vanessa with me after Josie’s near-death experience.

“Goddammit.”

“Go.” Bram waves a hand. “I’ll give my naughty girl both of the punishments she’s earned.”

“Oh, Daddy, no!”

Satisfied my brother has his own Little girl well in hand, I spin around and hurry toward the front door, threading my belt back through the loops as I go. Before I even hit the fresh air, my blood is pounding with the thrill of the chase.

Time to go hunting.

CHAPTER 15

VANESSA

There are plenty of vehicles to choose from, but not a single fucking one has a key anywhere in sight. For people who live out in the middle of nowhere, the Thornes are ridiculously security-conscious.

Then again, I probably would be too if I was part of a former mob family on the run from my homicidal uncle.

All right. Plan B. Head back toward the road and start walking. Hitchhiking. Whatever the fuck it takes to get me to the next town so I can let someone know what’s going on in this house of depravity.

God, I wish I’d had time to grab the keys to my rental. Assuming it hasn’t been fucking towed already.

I’m halfway there by my guesstimation when the crack of a branch freezes me in my tracks. Terror sends my pulse skyrocketing as I strain to listen.

“Run, run, as fast as you can, little fox.” The sing-song voice echoes through the forest, followed by a loud laugh. “Maybe if you make it worth the chase, I’ll let you come when I fuck you up against a tree.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

I let the fear fuel me as I take a hard right, crashing through the woods as I run for… I don’t fucking know what. But all I can do is run.

And pray.

My heartbeat is so loud, I can hear it pounding in my ears as I run as hard and fast as I can toward my unknown destination. Behind me, I can hear him coming, as steady and inevitable as time itself, and my vision blurs as tears fill my eyes.

No. This is not how I die.

Clinging to that desperate belief, I dig deep and run. Harder, faster, keeping my eyes glued to the terrain in front of me so I don’t trip.

But even with all the running I do on a regular basis, my energy soon flags. And no amount of pep talks or fear can give me the energy to keep going.

Just when I’m about to give up and let him take me, I spot it. The glint of the sun off water.

The creek from before. He caught me there yesterday, but today I’m ready for him, and I have a much better head start.

Gasping for air, I change course, splashing loudly in the water as my shoes sink into the muck below. As I wade out into the oncoming current, I look around, searching for any sign of my pursuer, doing my best to ignore the icy cold of the water seeping into my bones.

Finding no signs of Dane, I nearly weep with relief. But I know it’s far too soon to celebrate just yet, so I sink down into the water, letting only my head bob above the gentle rapids.

Maybe if I follow the water it will lead me… somewhere. Aren’t most towns and stuff built as close to a water source as possible?