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Chapter Thirty-one
As she slid back into the car with its motor purring, Alia’s adrenaline settled into a dull roar. No doubt Sloan saw the confusion and exasperation on her face. He didn’t say anything for a few moments, giving her time.
Finally, she admitted, “Sara wasn’t there.”
“I kind of suspected. Where to now? And while we’re on the way, tell me a bit about this kid you’re trying to help.”
The phone’s ringing interrupted her. “Cassie, Sara’s not there—”
“I know. She called back a few seconds ago in a panic. Said her stalker followed her. But he’s just circling the house. Then she hung up again. You need to come now. The kid’s losing it, Alia.”
“She saidhouse?” Alia figuratively smacked her forehead. “I should have known. Okay, we’re on our way.”
She looked at the man next to her and gave him directions. Then she held onto the door handle as he whipped the car around and drove like a bat out of hell.
Realizing she still held the lit phone in her hand, she added, “Cassie, where do I take her?”
“Bring her to me. I don’t want the kid traumatized any more than she already is.”
“You’re an angel, you old softie. Between you and Ruby, I don’t know which one’s worse.”
“Look in the mirror, Sunshine.”
Alia chuckled to change the subject. “Gotta go. We’ll have her there as soon as possible.”
“Who’s we? Hope it’s a handsome dude who can’t keep his hands off you. Time you had a man.”
“Speak for yourself,Chickie. Soon…”
She shut off Cassie’s laughter—the woman was a huge romantic—and became aware that Sloan’s shortcut had them closing in on her neighborhood.
Glad he wasn’t a showy driver using a lot of excessive actions, she watched as he held the wheel firmly and controlled the car as if they were connected. She liked that. She’d been told she was a gifted driver, so it was easy to recognize the familiar skill in others.
“Are you ever going to tell me what’s going on? Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind driving you around Waikiki, but it might be a good idea if I know what to expect when we get to this place.”
“It’s my house. I took Sara there the last time I picked her up. She must have memorized the security code for the back entrance and went looking for me. I told Ruby we can’t be having the kids coming to our place, but when we’re in a fix, sometimes there’s no choice.”
“The kids? Who are they? From the backstory I’ve overheard, I gather she’s young and in trouble.”
“They all are. Young and in trouble, I mean. We help them. Save them. Give them a chance. It’s Ruby’s deal, not mine.” Scanning the road, she noticed the same red Camaro that she’d outrun before. “We’re here. Slow down and pull into the driveway on the left. They’re neighbors and away this month. Drive right up to their garage and turn the car around. We might have to leave in a hurry, so it’s best to be facing the right direction.”
He did as she said, reversing the car with minimum effort, and soon had them facing the road.
“Great. Wait here. I’ll go and get her and we’ll be back.”
He opened the door, but her hand grabbing his arm stopped him.
“Stay here. It’s easier for me to sneak in and out alone.”
“No. You’re not going anywhere without me, so suck it up.”
His tone didn’t waver and neither did the hot determination in his eyes.
Seriously? The dude was going to give her trouble when she had no time to argue. “Okay. Whatever. Let’s go.”
She snuck through the archway hidden by the mass of trellised, rich purple Bougainvillea between their yards. Skimming along the greenery, keeping clear of any lights that might set off the motion detector, Alia directed them to a concealed entrance off the kitchen.
She keyed in the code and slipped into the house in time to hear the sounds of a hand slapping flesh and the ensuing scream. Bloodcurdling, it set off every alarm in her body, ramping up her adrenaline, only to have it controlled by her training. “She’s in trouble. It’s coming from the basement. He must have broken in.”
