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Sliding behind the wheel, I put the truck in drive and turn onto the highway toward Starlight Ridge. Like they have for weeks, my thoughts are on Sophia. She’s been so free this week. The shift in her obvious to everyone. Watching her sleep at night, I’m grateful she’s been able to move past her nightmares. She attributes that to me, but I know it’s all her. And I want that for her always. To see her living her life like she planned.
Now that summer is in full swing, there are more cars on the road, which shouldn’t bother me but tonight it’s driving me nuts. I want to see Sophia. Hopefully, she’s willing to talk more about her case.
When I pull up to The Bluebird, the lights are on in the house. Actually, the entire first floor is lit up, except the porch light. That’s strange. Each night I’ve had to remind Sophia to turn the cabin’s light off so not to attract the bugs. I guess she remembered. With a smile on my face, I jog up to the side door and enter through the mudroom.
Classical music is playing through the Bluetooth speaker, another surprise. Not that I know everything about Sophia. Far from it, in fact. I hold back the groan of appreciation as I step into the kitchen and smell the familiar scent of oregano and garlic. A pan of sauce is on the burner and I use the wooden spoon to taste. Delicious.
As one song transitions to another I hear voices. Two to be exact. I recognize Sophia right away but the other isn’t familiar. The deep timber confirms it’s a man. Is it possible Joan has an actual customer? I’m surprised she didn’t mention that in her text. I’m steps from the dining room when I stop in my tracks.
“Sophia, I will not argue with you. Disrespecting our relationship by being with that loser is unacceptable.”
“We aren’t in a relationship. What I do is none of your concern.”
It can’t be. He’s here. How did he find her?
Quietly, I slip off my shoes and move against the wall using the window as a mirror. It isn’t clear, but I’m able to make out their positions at the table. He’s on the end with Sophia to his right. I can’t make out anything on the table but have to assume he has a weapon. My gun is in the truck. I could rush back out but can’t leave her in here alone.
They continue to argue and I silently beg her to stop and not aggravate the man. Who knows how dangerous he really is? After a few more digs back and forth, they go silent. Silverware clanks and I recognize the sound of dishes stacking. Shit.
My eyes fly to the window and I can see the man more clearly. He’s about six feet tall with short hair. At least a decade older than I am and looks to be in good shape. It isn’t his stature that has my attention. It’s the taser in his hand.
“When did you access my webcam?”
“Why must you ask so many questions? I wanted to have a nice dinner and discuss our future and you insist on interrogating me. I will not have this disrespect, Sophia.”
His voice rises, on the verge of rage. There was a time Vargas and I were on a run with one of Brighton’s men. I watched a seemingly chill man turn into a maniac on a dime. It started with his anger rising and within minutes a man was dead. This guy’s voice reminds me of that.
Now that his back is toward me, I step out from my hiding spot. He must sense my presence because he spins around to face me. Eyes, dark with evil, look at me, a sinister smile appears on his face before the waves of electricity fire through my body. Sophia’s scream is all I hear as I fall to the ground.
I’m not sure how much time passes but it doesn’t feel long before she rushes to me and drops to the ground. Holding my head in her lap she’s saying something I can’t make out. Her words are frantic.
As I lie here, I have no sense of time but know it takes up to an hour to recover from tasing. My brain is foggy as I try to focus on Sophia and the man yelling at her. His voice is loud, much louder than hers as he paces the room.
“I’m so sorry, Gage. This is all my fault. Please be okay.”
“Stop talking to him!”
“Do not yell at her, you piece of shit.” Those are the words in my head I mean to say, but they come out in fragments.
The man laughs at my attempt to confront him. I’ve faced down criminals for years. Some of the most ruthless drug dealers and human traffickers sat across from me at poker tables weekly. I’ve never heard something as diabolical as that laugh.
I watch his feet retreat to the other room, leaving us alone.
“Soph. I don’t know how much time we have.”
“Gage. Oh my God. Are you okay? I’m so sorry. I—”
“Babe, listen to me. You have to get out of here.”
“I can’t leave you.”
Closing my eyes, I feel my body recovering and take a deep breath. “You have to. Take my keys and get to the truck. Get the sheriff.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
Her tears drip off her chin and land on my face. “Sophia, you have to. Please get out. I’ll be okay.”
She nods and glances to the other room. The man is standing at the bar cart with his back to us. Sophia looks down at me and nods once more before sliding my head off her lap. I watch her move across the kitchen floor. When the side door creaks, I know she is almost out. To muffle any other sounds the back door may make, I groan loudly. The man turns and stomps my way.
