Page 141 of Weight of Guilt

His gaze moved to her. “Because I wanted you to find this place.”

Her skin prickled. Was this a game to him? She still didn’t understand.

Nash’s shoulders seemed to tighten. “Then why are you surprised we’re here?”

“You came too soon.” Jacob’s fingers shifted around the gun, and his expression tightened.

Wren went cold.

Mason clung to her even more tightly.

She rubbed one hand over his back, trying to reassure him even though every nerve in her body screamed. “What was supposed to happen first?”

Jacob’s eyes rested on her for a long moment. Then whatever openness had been there vanished. “It doesn’t matter.”

“You dated Nora just to get to Mason, didn’t you?” she continued. “You befriended us all and tried to get us to trust you. Even after you took Mason, you showed up at our house. Why?”

“It was my purpose.”

His purpose? What sense did that make?

“You have a daughter. Why did you want Mason? What were you going to do with him?”

He said nothing.

“Who are you working with? Why?” she continued.

“You wouldn’t understand,” he finally said.

“Then help me. Make it make sense.”

“Enough talking!” He lifted the gun.

Wren’s breath caught. Would he shoot them? Was that his end goal?

Instead, he muttered, “We need to get going.”

Nash didn’t move. “Going where?”

“I’ve said enough.”

Wren looked at Nash. His gaze flicked toward hers for only a second. But something passed between them.

Wait. Watch. Be ready.

Or maybe she was imagining it.

She had no idea what Nash planned to do.

Mason’s arms tightened around her.

Jacob motioned with the gun. “Move.”

Wren pulled Mason closer.

Whatever happened next, she knew one thing with absolute certainty.

She was not getting into a car with Jacob.