Page 167 of Taken Away

Another text popped up.

Machelle: Also, are you alive? Because none of us have heard from you in forever and we’re starting to think you’ve been kidnapped by mountain people.

A laugh escaped.

Chloe pointed.

“There. Again.”

Aubrey rolled her eyes.

Another message appeared.

Machelle: We miss you.

For a second, that one hit harder than the others.

Philadelphia. Her apartment. Her friends. Her old life.

Aubrey’s fingers moved almost on their own.

Aubrey: I miss you too.

She hovered over send for a heartbeat, then tapped it.

Another text arrived before she could think too long.

Machelle: How’s the hot security detail?

Aubrey groaned.

“Oh, this is definitely something,” Chloe said.

Aubrey ignored her.

Another message.

Machelle: Or the vineyard troll. I can never remember which one we’re calling him.

Aubrey shook her head.

Then came another.

Machelle: And before you dodge the question... Did you ever figure out where those coordinates lead?

Heat rushed straight into her face.

Immediately.

The tattoo.

The coordinates inked low on Bennett’s stomach.

The ones she’d traced with her fingertips.

The ones that disappeared beneath the waistband of his jeans.

The ones she’d completely forgotten to ask about.