Page 71 of Unstable

She glared at Aster through watery eyes as Aster swabbed the duct tape covering Irina's hands, ankles, and mouth, obliterating any lingering evidence. Irina's eyes widened as Dale stepped forward, a dark gleam in his eyes.

“We gotta move before the police show up.”

Aster’s gaze snapped to his, her fear barely concealed in her honey-colored eyes. “They’re here?”

“Close.” Dale gestured to Irina. “Someone must have called about her screaming her head off. They’re questioning the neighbors a couple streets over.”

Aster hopped to her feet, then ran to the door and shoved her head outside. A moment later, she tipped her chin toward Dale. “All clear.”

He braced one hand behind Irina's back, the other behind her knees, then lifted her against his chest. Her arms ached from being bound behind her, and Dale had taped her ankles together again. They stepped outside, and Irina's heart leaped with hope as she saw the red and blue lights flashing through the palm fronds dancing in the breeze. God, help was close—so close. If she could just somehow get them to hear her, see her…

The strobing lights were extinguished along with her hopes as Dale tightened his hold then slipped around the building and deeper into the dark. “All right, girl. Let’s get this over with.”

CHAPTER

THIRTY-SIX

The sound of sirens met his ears, and he glanced out the window as at least two police cruisers flew past on the main road, their red and blue lights piercing the dark sky. His heart kicked up in his chest, and a mixture of hope and fear swirled in his stomach. Had they found Irina? Sitting there, just waiting for something to happen, went against every fiber of his being. He needed to be out there. He needed to find his girl and bring her home safe.

He didn't bother to lock the door behind him as he burst out of the house and jogged down the sidewalk, following the red and blue lights up ahead. His phone rang, and he dug it from his back pocket as he slowed to a walk.

Knox’s name filled the screen, and he tapped his phone to connect the call. “Yeah?”

Knox didn't bother to beat around the bush. “We have a problem, Ink.”

“What did you find? Is Aster okay?”

A heavy sigh filled the phone. “We haven't been able to locate her. Her home is dark, and her car appears to be missing.”

“Have the police put out a BOLO?” His heart clenched, and he picked up his pace, still following the police cruisers. The lights seemed to be stationary now, maybe half a mile ahead. He wasn’t sure exactly what he was doing; all he knew was he couldn’t sit in that silent, empty house any longer wondering where Irina was and if she was okay.

“Not much they can do at this point,” Knox replied. “They spoke with Louis, who said he was last in contact with her yesterday morning. If she doesn't respond within another 24 hours, we can review our options. But until then…”

“That's absurd!” he exploded. “Aster’s missing and my wife was kidnapped. By tomorrow it could be too late.”

Silence fell before Knox spoke. “This is more than a job to you, isn't it?”

“She was never a job,” he choked out. “Knox… I've gotta find her.”

“We will.” Knox's voice was firm and so much more optimistic than he was at the moment. “We’ll do everything we can,” he reiterated. “That’s why I called you. Aiden pulled up Irina’s phone and was going through some of her recent messages and phone log. There was a call made from Irina’s phone to Aster’s four days ago, and the call lasted just under six minutes.”

He let out another curse. Had someone managed to intercept the call? Or maybe Irina had slipped and mentioned to Aster where she was. He seriously doubted that was the case, but Aster was her closest friend. He could see how she might confide in her, especially as tumultuous as their relationship was at that point. It was more imperative than ever that they find Aster. “What do we do now?”

“Since the PD’s hands are tied, we’ll have to keep trying her. Irina takes precedence at the moment, so I’m not pulling him off that.”

“No, no, of course not,” he agreed.

He paused for a beat. “Ink, I need you to listen when I tell you this.”

His feet halted of their own accord, feeling as if they’d turned to cement in his shoes. “What?”

“There was a ping off one of the towers down there just a few minutes ago.”

His heart slammed against his ribcage as his gaze darted toward the red and blue lights up ahead. “Where?”

“Northern part of the island. We contacted Rutland, and his guys are tracing it now.”

His heart rate doubled as he watched the lights strobe against the sky. Had they found her?