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“River Road. It’s on her way to work.”
“I’ll have a team there in ten minutes.”
“As I told you before, it might be too late.” I ended the call, throwing the gear into park then climbing out. Apollo bolted, flying over the edge toward the forest below. I tossed my phone onto the seat then took long strides to the edge.
Apollo was continuously barking, his body tense.
“Come here, boy.”
He glanced at me, wagging his tail a few times then resumed barking.
There was definitely something down there. I didn’t hesitate, climbing over the edge, carefully making my way through fallen limbs and other debris, the terrain just as wet as where I’d been with Chasity before.
After twenty yards, I was able to catch a glimpse of twisted metal. The bright red backend of a vehicle was sticking up through the scrubby trees.
And there was no doubt in my mind the car belonged to Chasity.
Another pain formed behind my eyes, and I grappled with the same anguish I’d felt two times in my life, neither one able to save the girl involved. This time, I wasn’t going to fail. So help me God.
Adrenaline powered through me like fire crackling on dry logs as I struggled to continue climbing down the hillside. I was forced to stop several times, grabbing onto limbs of trees for support.
Apollo suddenly stopped barking altogether, but he moved around the car, issuing a low growl. “What did you find, boy?”
He barked twice then started to whine. Another rush jetted through me. I had to get to her. In my rush, I tripped, now sliding down on my backside, landing near a drop-off. Cursing under my breath, I steadied myself, able to see the driver’s door was partially open. But there was no way to see inside at this point.
When he sat back on his haunches, still whining, a sickening feeling skittered through me. The sound was forlorn, keeping my nerves on edge.
I took a few scattered breaths as ugly visions crawled into my mind. No. I couldn’t do this. Not now. She needed me. I did what I could to shake it off, sweat dripping down both sides of my face. I rubbed my arm across my face then continued on, jumping the last few feet.
The prayer was still in the back of my mind as I looked inside. She wasn’t in the car, but there were bloodstains covering the driver’s side window. Anger boiled in my veins, my mind instantly foggy as I crept closer.
“You can’t save her,” Maverick called.
“Like hell I can’t,” Riggs snarled, his entire body tense.
“Then I’m coming with you,” I told him, taking a deep breath before leaping through the flames.
“Fuck.” The vision had been so real, stifling my breath. I shook my head then moved to the other side of the car. From what I could tell, she’d tried to fight off her attacker. After a few seconds, I threw my head back and bellowed to the heavens.
The justice system had failed her.
To hell with the system. I would find her my way.
And after I did, Lance Rollington would die.
CHAPTER16
Snake
“It’s too hot,” Maverick called, his voice strained from the smoke.
I wiped my eyes, sweating like a pig but both Riggs and I were determined to save her. “I’m fine. Go back.”
“We live together. We die together,” he yelled, the sound barely audible over the roar of the fire.
“Belle!” Rigg’s cry was woeful, strangled from his heavy emotions.
As I glanced toward the canopy of trees, I knew it wouldn’t be long until the entire ridge was on fire. We wouldn’t be able to get out if we didn’t go now. But I wasn’t a quitter. Not by a longshot. “We go a little further.” I didn’t wait for the rest of them, trying to fight my way into the thickest part of the forest.
