Page 20 of Three Steps Behind

Please, Lord, not another box.

Why’d she bother praying? She’d prayed every day in that metal container, and every day another hostage was taken, never to return.

The final wall of the enclosed box held a door. Thank you.

She banged on the door with all her might.

Nothing.

She struggled to open her mouth to scream, but her lips wouldn’t move. Reaching up to her mouth, she found duct tape across it. With a yank and a searing burn, she ripped it off and fought to find her scream. Her voice hoarse, her words choked.

She banged the door again, her hands throbbing.

Finally, she found her voice. “Help! Help me!”

Hot tears streaked down her face, stinging where the duct tape had been.

“Harper!” Deck yelled.

“Here,” she screamed.

“Harp!” His voice grew closer.

“Here!” Panic swallowed her. “Get me out of this box.” Please.

Desperation clawed at her as sobs erupted in her chest, thumping it.

“Please.” She banged on the door.

It swung open, and she lunged into Deckard’s arms.

Deck wrapped his arms around Harper as she burrowed into his chest. He’d never felt anything more right than her in his hold. Again, she didn’t flinch, just curled up in his embrace—duct tape clinging to her hair.

“Shh. It’s okay. They’re gone now.”

“The one in the house too?” she asked, looking up at him with panicked eyes, and it broke his heart.

“Christian is clearing the house now. I came straight for you.”

Christian rounded the corner, his chest heaving. “We’re clear.” His gaze flashed to Harper. “You okay?”

She nodded, the motion rubbing against Deck’s chest.

“Any idea which way he went?” Christian asked.

She shook her head. “He knocked me out and locked me in the closet.” She shook her head again—slower this time. “What is that?” She grappled for the tape.

“Hang on,” Deck said, trying to help.

The harder she tugged, the heavier her breathing. “Get. It. Off.”

“It’s in your hair and attached to the chain of your necklace. Just a minute. Christian, hit the overhead light.”

“Of course.” Light bathed the room.

The sticky side of the tape had a clump of her hair.

“I’ve got it,” Deck said. “I’m trying to be easy so I don’t tear your hair. One small rip and it’s off. Okay?”