Page 22 of Barinov

We all stare at him.

“Guys!” he yells, wiping the sand off of his hands. “Costa Rica.”

“Holy shit,” Knox breathes, dragging the laptop back in front of him.

00:04:58

“It makes sense,” Cade says confidently. “I mean isn’t it where Zeke planned on taking Bella and Dylan? It was going to be their fresh start as a—”

“Their fucking Eden,” I cut in. “Zeke took her to Costa Rica.”

“Zeke didn’t take her anywhere, Barinov,” Tex says, his deep voice rising with each word. “Don’t pretend you didn’t see the collar around his neck too. He’s innocent in all of this.”

“You don’t know that,” I snap, control slipping through my fingers. “For all we know, the dick could have been playing us from the start. Slapping a fake collar around his neck just so she’ll feel sorry for his ass.”

Tex grabs the paper off of the table and shoves it right into my face. “The poem says he walks where I lead down every dark road, Lex.”

This guy wants to be punched in the face again.

“Get. That paper. Out of my fucking—”

“He’s being forced to—”

“That’s not an excuse to brand your damn sister!” I cut him off, chest heaving and vision blurring at the edges.

I need her back. I need her in my arms. Right fucking now.

“Four minutes,” Knox says, fingers flexing over the keys. “I need something to put in here!”

“Lex,” Cade says, reaching for me. “We’re running out of time.”

We all stare at the screen.

At the ticking numbers.

At the space where our girl’s life literally hangs at the click of a button.

“Costa Rica,” I say. “It’s got to be.”

Knox nods and types it in. “You sure?” he asks, glancing up at us.

“Send it.” Cade nods.

He hits ENTER.

The countdown stops.

DING.

@LucaWasHere

Very good, Lexie. You solved my clue.

The game begins now and so do you.

But winning her back won’t come from a prayer.

You’ll earn her love or lose her there.