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Construction workers had taken over my cabin, so I packed my bag, and we left for Viper's family home, which wasn’t far from my cabin. I couldn’t help but wonder when I began calling Cole by his Marine name, Viper. Perhaps it was because I’ve seen the other side of him—the side that could kill with his bare hands, or the side that roared like a Lion before dispatching those who threatened me.
Living with Viper, I had never felt safer. Two of his brothers were married, and the other three lived in the house with Allison, his sister. Being with these siblings is when I decided that I wanted a large family. Despite my reassurances, they insisted on waiting on me. My bruises had yet to fade, and it troubled them.
“Let them wait on you,” Viper said, kissing me goodbye. It was early morning, and I was certain Ryan was already at the cabin. Viper was right; the guy was a workaholic. He would get off work and head out to the woodshed out back and work.
“Sweetheart, you don’t have to cook for everyone,” Viper said, entering the kitchen as I prepared dinner.
“I enjoyed cooking for everyone. Cooking is the most relaxing activity a person can do. Don’t you like cooking?”
“I don’t mind grilling; I’m pretty good at that.”
“Perfect, take these steaks out back and put them on the grill. It should be ready by now.”
“Hey, you did that on purpose.”
I heard Allison chuckle as she made the salad, “Did Allison tell you how I dislike cooking?”
“Yes, she mentioned it, but my husband needs to learn to cook so we can do it together as a family. Don’t you agree?”
“Yes, sweetheart, I believe you are right. You’ll have to teach me to cook,” Cole said, pulling me into his arms and kissing me passionately, right there in the kitchen with the family as our audience. “Give me those steaks. I’ll make these the most delicious steaks any of you have ever tasted.”
I always referred to the house as Ryan’s because, in my eyes, that’s who the large home belonged to. We were there for a week when a young boy pounded on the door, calling for Ryan. “What’s happened,” Ryan said, holding the boy by the shoulders.
“They threw Carly in the van?”
“What? Who threw Carly in the van? Calm down and take a deep breath. Now, tell me what happened.”
“Carly came out of the store, and three men threw her in a black van with no windows.”
What? Carly was kidnapped right here on our mountain. Ryan looked at Viper, “Call everyone. We have to find Carly.”
“I can’t believe she was kidnapped,” I said. “It must be human traffickers. Who else would be so bold enough to kidnap her in broad daylight at the grocery store?”
Cole and Ryan rushed to the truck, intent on catching up with the van. “Be careful,” I called after them.
I paced the floor back and forth, anxiously awaiting news. “I thought Carly was in Nashville at a book signing,” I said, turning to Allison.
“That’s what I thought too. I guess her event ended, so she came back here for your wedding.”
“I suppose,” I replied, lost in thought. I prayed that Carly was unharmed. She might surprise her captors if there is a fight. She knew martial arts and could kill someone with the right kick if she gets the chance. She said she learned how to fight after her husband died. She tried teaching me, but I had assumed I was already good enough at self-defense. Clearly, I had been mistaken.
I was lying in bed when Cole called, “We found the van; they abandoned it. The police received a tip about a suspicious vehicle involved in a woman’s abduction. It was a black SUV, so we’ll keep searching. I didn’t want you to worry. This might take some time. I’ll keep you updated. Ryan is beside himself, blaming himself for Carly’s safety. He’s a crazy man, yelling at himself loudly.
“I guess he really does love her. If only he had said something to her.”
I got out of bed, put on my pajamas, and grabbed a good book. I didn’t think I would get any sleep, but I eventually drifted off. However, my dreams were filled with nightmares of Donnie Turner, and I woke up screaming.
“Hey, sweetie, wake up. It’s me, Mike. The bad guy is dead.”
“Mike, I’m sorry. Did I wake you up?”
“No, I was awake. It’s six in the morning. Would you like some coffee?”
“I don’t want the baby to be affected by caffeine, but I’ll have some caffeine-free tea.” I grabbed my robe and followed Mike from the room. “I wonder if they have found Carly yet. I can’t believe this has happened to her. Do you think any other women have been taken from around here?”
“I haven’t heard anything.”
“Will you be at our wedding?”
