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“Tail them. I’m coming.”
“I’ll let you know if they deviate.” His headset crackles off as my tires screech, the entire SUV protesting as I take the turn onto 307 with far too much speed. Then I’m off, dodging a few cars and an 18-wheeler until I see Cat ahead. In front of him, a black van is booking it. Fucking fools.
I slam the pedal to the floor and get into the oncoming lane. Roaring past Cat, I catch up to the van, then speed past it. Once I’m a good distance ahead, I hit the brakes and yank the wheel, screeching into a sideways slide that blocks the roadway. When I stop, I take aim at the oncoming van and with two shots, pop its front tires. I’d shoot the driver, but I won’t risk Cadence.
Disabled, the van begins to wobble, sparks flying from where the rims meet the pavement. It slows as I step from my car and walk around, my gun trained on the driver. Cat zips around the van, comes up to the side, and fires one shot. The driver slumps, the van slowing and then veering off the road, stopping almost gently in the grassy ditch.
“Get the fuck out!” I yell. “Now!”
Someone in the van fires a shot at me. I keep walking, my gun up, and Catarino skids to a stop and jumps off his bike.
“I’ll kill her!” Sal Caesar yells. I’d know his fucking rat voice anywhere. “I stole her fair and square. You should’ve ransomed her when you had the chance. Now it’s my fucking turn!”
This fucking moron. “She’s mine!” I roar. Not to ransom. Not to hurt. Mine to protect. Mine tolove.
The back door opens as I round the van, and Sal steps out, his gun trained on me. I glance into the van and see Cadence, her eyes closed, her hands ziptied behind her back. If I thought I’d known anger before, I was wrong. This seething hatred is new, something that should never see the light of day.
“If you want a cut of the ransom money, then maybe we can make a deal. But I’m not giving up my prize. She’s coming with me. I own her now.”
I stare at the wan color in her cheeks, at the way her breathing is too slow, too labored, at the redness on her wrists where the ties cut into her. Sassy sits beside her, her cage askew as she meows and paws through the bars at Cadence. “You hurt my girl.” It’s a simple statement.
“It’s just business.” Sal shrugs. “Can’t make an omelet without breaking–”
The rest of his inane bullshit is cut off as I fill him with slug after slug, emptying my magazine into him. He makes a surprised croak and fires one round, then falls to his knees. I stride past him as he sputters and hits the pavement flat on his face. Cat adds a round to the back of his head as I scoop Cadence from the van.
“Cat, knife,” I order, my voice gravelly as I stare down at her pale face.
“On it.” He steps close and easily cuts her free, then goes to the van and grabs Sassy’s carrier.
“Cadence.” I hold her tightly to me and carry her back to my car. “Cadence, are you all right?”
Her eyes don’t open, and I think my heart might stop beating. “Please, Cadence. Talk to me.” I ease her into the back seat, then get in with her and pull her onto my lap as Cat hops into the driver’s seat.
“Hospital. Now!” I smooth her hair from her face.
“On it.” He peels out, and we’re flying along the highway.
“Sweet girl, please.” I stroke her cheek and press my lips to her forehead. “Please wake up. I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again. I promise. Just wake up for me.”
“Vargas?” Her voice is slurred, but just hearing her say my name sends my heart leaping into my throat.
“Yes. I’ve got you.” I try not to squeeze her too tightly, but I can’t help it. I can’t shake the fear of losing her, of the absolute terror that thought invokes. “I’ve only just found you.” I kiss her forehead again.
“You found me.” She opens her eyes. They’re glassy, but she holds my gaze.
“I will always find you.” I kiss her softly. “I love you.”
She smiles, some color returning to her cheeks. “You do?”
“More than I’ve ever loved anything.” My throat closes up with raw emotion.
She reaches up and touches my cheek, her eyes going a little wider. “You’re telling the truth.”
“Of course, I am.” I turn my head and kiss her palm. “I love you, Cadence. I’ll say it as many times as you need to hear it.”
She smiles softly and nestles against my chest. “I only needed the once to know for sure.”
I raise a brow. “How–”
