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“My neighbor told me that he’s Middle Eastern. Sorry I don’t have more details. Apparently, he was in a vehicle with several other men but got dropped off. They tore out of here. Between the car speeding off and the man snooping around, someone called the cops.”
“You said Callie’s gone. Where did she go?” Austin asked.
“Some super-secret waterfall. She said it was easy to find and not to worry. She wouldn’t get lost.”
Wyatt was already standing up and moving, rushing out of the bullpen. Hasnawi’s sudden appearance in Oahu had to be a coincidence. It had to be. The man had remained out of sight all year, focused on targeting Asia and the West Coast. He wouldn’t jump on an airplane and fly to Oahu, then show up at Callie’s apartment complex with his men. It would’ve taken time and money to find her on social media. She’d gone dark for months and only recently started blogging again—
Alarm bells went off in his head, and then he was running, pushing open the doors of the building and tearing across the asphalt to jump into his SUV. Somehow, they’d found her. The pictures, the video. She might not have shown her face online, but Hasnawi had tracked her here anyway, and Callie had practically posted her exact location on social media.
Wyatt didn’t even realize Austin had followed him outside until the passenger door was yanked open. “I’m coming with you.”
“Sure. Whatever. She’s not picking up her phone,” he said, holding his own up. Her voicemail message was playing again, and Wyatt let out a curse, ending the call.
“Let’s get to the damn waterfall,” Austin said as Wyatt started the engine. “It’s a hike through the woods, so they might not find her right away. The rest of the team will be right behind us.”
Wyatt nodded, multiple scenarios already churning through his mind. He put the car in reverse and hit the gas, his tires screeching as he backed up. He’d probably get in trouble for speeding recklessly out of the parking lot on base, but he didn’t give a shit. Callie was in danger, and failing to rescue her wasn’t an option.
Chapter 21
CALLIE SMILED WITH relief as she pulled into the parking lot at the trailhead. Her little Mini Cooper had bumped along the dirt road leading there, and she’d second-guessed her choice to come. Wyatt had a big SUV and was used to driving the smaller roads in certain parts of Oahu. She’d grabbed her backpack and rushed over here without thinking about the possibility that her tiny car couldn’t make it. She looked up at the sky. At least the sun was shining. If it rained, she wasn’t sure she’d make it back down the dirt road. Last time, the entire stretch of it had turned into a pit of mud.
Visiting the hidden waterfall wasn’t the same without Wyatt, but she was excited to make a reel for her social media stories of their favorite spot. She’d been careful not to reveal too much about the location. A shot of the street leading to the dirt road had been her followers first clue. She climbed out of her vehicle, her hiking boots hitting the ground, then grabbed her backpack. There were a few other cars parked here at least. She wasn’t entirely alone.
Callie walked toward the trail, taking a picture of the sign. Her lips quirked. Wyatt had sworn this was a secret among locals, but there was an actual sign for it. How secret could it really be? She uploaded that photo to her social medial channels as well. Once she got into the woods, she wouldn’t get any cell reception. The rest of her stories would have to be posted later, after she’d been to the waterfall and lagoon.
She was happy her newest blog was already getting some traction. Alexa claimed that Callie was a whiz at social media. While Callie wouldn’t go that far, she did know how to get engagement and new followers. She saved highlights from her stories to her profile to show off the best beaches, best bites, and other tidbits about Oahu. The location of the secret waterfall would disappear after twenty-four hours, only being featured in her main stories. She’d briefly tried to explain it to Wyatt but didn’t think he totally got the gist of it. The men weren’t on social media due to their jobs, but he had downloaded the apps to see her posts, which made her heart do a funny little flip. Their worlds were different in many ways, but she loved that he understood her need to explore and wander.
She began walking again, filming her first few steps on the wooded trail. Callie pressed a button, uploading that as well, then stashed her phone in the zippered front pocket of her backpack. The woods weren’t as exciting as the waterfall, and she’d take more photos and videos once she was there. She slung her backpack onto her shoulders, remembering how Wyatt had carried hers along with his own. He was chivalrous, always looking out for her. While it made her pulse pound to see his muscles and strength, it made her heart soften at how he watched out for her. He was protective, and she loved that. Being with him felt as natural as breathing. She grinned to herself, thinking of how he’d be coming over later. She’d missed him this morning. Callie had grown accustomed to waking up in his arms. She knew he’d be gone on future deployments, other missions, but she loved that dedicated and brave part of him.
And when he was here with her?
She shivered, just thinking about his big body moving over her own.
Callie walked silently along the trail for nearly an hour. She was taking her time, enjoying the quiet day. A couple had come from the opposite direction, but she hadn’t seen anyone else. Aside from a brief ‘hello,’ they’d continued on their way, heading back toward the trailhead and parking lot. She’d kept walking toward her destination, finally making it to the amazing view of the waterfall. Callie swung her backpack around, wincing slightly, then pulled her phone free. Someday her arm wouldn’t give her trouble. She just needed to be careful. Callie took some footage of the waterfall, glancing over to the area where she and Wyatt had picnicked. She’d packed a snack but not lunch. Besides, it wouldn’t be fun to picnic here without Wyatt. She headed down the final descent toward the lagoon.
The sound of the waterfall soothed her, both peaceful and powerful. She set her backpack on the ground, letting out a happy sigh. Hawaii was so beautiful. She loved exploring all the wonders of Oahu and had several more islands on her list with various places to visit. Wyatt was busy with his career as a Navy SEAL, but she hoped he could take leave and hop a quick flight with her one weekend. Just thinking about him made her happy.
She was lost in thought, enjoying the day, when she heard low voices. Callie stilled as she saw two men come out from the other side of the lagoon, staring at her, and then her heart dropped as she saw another man with red scars covering half of his face. She froze in place. In her moment of panic, she faltered, trying to decide if she should run and hide or scream. Who would hear her though? She’d come alone. The hikers she’d passed were long gone. She was alone with three men she instinctively knew were there to hurt her.
Callie turned, ready to sprint away, when a gunshot sounded, the bullet whizzing by her head. She flew to the ground, grunting as she hit the hard Earth, wondering if they’d missed intentionally or not.
“Stop!” the man roared. “Don’t you dare move!”
She stayed crouched on the ground, her heart thundering in her chest, and hastened a glance at them. The guy with the scars—what had Wyatt’s team called him? The Red Flame? He and the men he was with would shoot her if she ran. She knew it. They’d kill her right here if she didn’t do what they wanted, and she’d never see Wyatt or any of her friends or family ever again. Tears smarted her eyes as she lay there on the ground. Would Wyatt check her social media tonight when he couldn’t find her? He was planning to come to her apartment after work. When she didn’t answer his call, would he show up at her place anyway?
Alexa.
She’d told Alexa where she was going.
Her friend wouldn’t be expecting her back for hours though, Callie thought dejectedly. She wouldn’t think anything of not seeing Callie this afternoon. Wyatt would no doubt check with Alexa at some point when he couldn’t find Callie.... Icy cold dread snaked down her spine. It’d be too late. He’d come looking for her, and she’d already be dead. She’d have to try and fight these bastards now or die trying.
Callie heard their footsteps getting closer, and then rough hands yanked her up. One of the men picked up her backpack, rifling through it. Her stomach twisted. Those were her things. Her personal belongings. They had no right to touch them, and she couldn’t stop them even if she wanted to. The man holding her yanked her closer, and she stood perfectly still. Luckily, he’d grabbed her good arm, so she wasn’t in any pain—yet. She’d act complacent, finding out what they wanted, and then run the first chance she got.
The man gripping her arm turned her, and the man with the scarred face stalked closer. Anger crossed over his features. Even with his disfigurement, she could see the hate in his expression—in his glare. “I’ve been looking for you, Callie Spencer. You were quite a difficult woman to find. I always love a good challenge.” She tried not to whimper, determined to remain strong, and the grip holding her arm tightened.
“What do you want with me?” she asked, hating how her voice wobbled.
The Red Flame’s gaze moved over her, calculating. He licked his lips in a way that made her stomach churn. “You’re the only one who could identify me. Those idiots who dragged you to the cockpit should never have let you see my face. They should have killed you then. My plans are not going to be thwarted by a silly American woman.”
