Chapter 20

20

D ean stared after Elsie and watched her disappear around the side of the building. The ache in his chest intensified. “Man, that poor kid. Watching him struggle is so freaking tough. I don’t know how anyone can be a parent. It looks so damn hard.”

Mr. Sweet stared up to look at a cawing bird flying overhead. “Best and hardest job in the world. You’ll never love anything more than your child, and all you want to do is protect them. Make them happy and watch them flourish.”

“The happy and flourishing part sounds nice.”

“It is, but then they get older and make their own choices. You might not agree with all those choices, but you have to let them make their own mistakes. Live their own lives. And sometimes, even when they make all the right decisions, fate steps in with other ideas. Ideas that will crush your heart and leave you broken on the floor.” A sad, wistful tone coated Mr. Sweet’s voice.

“Elsie told me about her brother,” Dean said, his gut twisting like a pretzel. “I’m so sorry.”

Mr. Sweet studied him, head tilted slightly to the side. “I’m surprised she talked to you about Brad. She rarely mentions him. At least not with me and her mother. It’s as if she thinks saying his name will remind us of the pain, but the pain is always there. We just learn to live with it. Learn how to channel our loss into something more positive. I’m glad she opened up to you.”

“So am I, sir.”

“You want kids some day?” Mr. Sweet narrowed his blue eyes and his lips curled ever so slightly at the corners.

Dean shrugged and watched the giggling children climbing over the playset. “I was married before and thought that’s what we both wanted, but I was wrong. I’ve come to realize that none of that makes sense if I don’t find the right woman.”

“None of what?”

“Marriage, kids, building a future. Like a neat little package tied in a bow.”

Mr. Sweet chuckled. “Even with the right woman, nothing comes tied together all nice and neat. Marriage, parenting…it takes a lot of work. A lot of patience and love and commitment from all sides. I was lucky. I found my person when I was only a teenager, and we’ve worked together to build the future we both want. It might not always go as planned, but we keep fighting. Keep building. Keep loving the hell out of each other. So the question I’m interested in is, do you think you’ve finally found the right woman?”

Dean grinned. Elsie’s dad shot straight as an arrow, no beating around the bush. Reminded him of his own father. “I really hope so. Elsie’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met.” He wasn’t willing to say more. As much as he wanted to reassure Mr. Sweet that he had only the purest intentions with his daughter, he needed to have that conversation with Elsie first.

Mr. Sweet gave one decisive nod then winked. “She’s the best. Just don’t tell her sister I said that.”

Boo jumped to his feet at Dean’s side. He pinned back his ears, fur standing on end at the scruff of his neck, and let out a low growl.

Dean followed Boo’s line of vision to the small shelter that housed the bathrooms and picnic area. He rested his hand on the top of Boo’s head. “It’s all right boy.”

“He okay? I didn’t hear him make a sound like that last night.” Mr. Sweet frowned.

“Probably anxious because he can’t see Jimmy. It’s crazy how he’s responded to the boy. He understands that he needs to keep an eye out, pay a little extra attention to Jimmy.” Even though he spoke the truth, unease tightened his nerves. He liked having Jimmy and Elsie out of sight even less than Boo.

“He’s a good dog,” Mr. Sweet said. “Made me wish we had one of our own.”

“Don’t tell Elsie that. She already told me how she was never allowed to have one as a kid.” Dean threw a quick grin over his shoulder then kneeled beside Boo. “Come on, boy. You’re fine. Just relax.”

Jimmy ran around the side of the building, a wide grin splitting his face. “I’m all better.” He waved an arm high over his head as if he needed to make extra sure he was seen.

Mrs. Sweet trailed behind him. “Not too fast. You don’t want to trip and hurt yourself again.”

Her concern slowed Jimmy a little. He made a beeline for the monkey bars. “Dean, watch. I can do this whole thing.”

“I’m watching, buddy,” Dean said, standing.

Agitation twitched Boo’s body. He stayed on alert. His steady gaze never venturing from the building.

Mrs. Sweet came to a stop beside him. “Jimmy’s right as rain. Just needed a little antiseptic so he wouldn’t get an infection and a kiss from Nana. Of course that kiss had to come in the privacy of a bathroom stall so no one would see. I mean, talk about embarrassing.”

“He’s got to keep his reputation intact. Glad he’s feeling better.” Dean watched Jimmy make his way across the monkey bars, his little body swaying with the effort.

At the last bar, Jimmy hopped to the ground and lifted his hands above his head. “I did it.”

Dean clapped. “Way to go. I’m sure when Elsie gets out of the bathroom, she’ll want to see you do it, too. Have enough fuel in the tank to make it across again?”

Mrs. Sweet stepped over to a bench and set down her large purse. “Elsie didn’t come to the bathroom.”

Boo whined and tugged at the leash.

Dean’s heart hammered against his chest, threatening to break through. “What do you mean? She got a text from you saying you needed help with Jimmy.”

“No,” Mrs. Sweet said, drawing out the word. “I never texted her. She must be mistaken. Hold on.” Sitting, she dragged her purse onto her lap and rummaged through it. “Dang it. I can’t find my phone. John, will you call me? I swear, I can never keep track of this blasted thing.”

“Sure. One second.” John unclipped his phone from its holder on the side of his belt. “Okay. It’s calling.”

Mrs. Sweet held the purse to her ear. “I don’t hear it or see it.”

Alarm screeched out a warning in Dean’s brain. “Try calling Elsie.”

John fiddled with his phone. “No one’s picking up. Went to voicemail.”

Without another word, Dean dropped Boo’s leash and sprinted toward the building. “Elsie!” He took in his surroundings as he ran. Kids played and squealed while their parents watched. A few people strolled along a far path that wound around to the woods. A couple pushed a baby stroller toward a minivan.

But no Elsie.

He reached the women’s bathroom and pounded on the door. “Elsie! Are you in there?” When no one answered, he shoved open the door to find the room empty.

Shit, shit, shit.

Running from the room, he raced to the men’s room and rushed inside.

Empty.

He hurried back out, his gut sinking low and fear heightening his awareness as he turned a small circle to look in every direction.

Mr. Sweet stood under the pavilion, worry widening his eyes. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

Dean swallowed the bile sliding up his throat. His stomach churned, his pulse beating against his temples. “Elsie’s gone.”

Terror twisted Elsie’s insides so tight she could barely breathe. She clutched her hands in her lap as Justin Pauly sped down the highway, leaving her family and Dean behind. A million questions raced through her mind, but she couldn’t push any words through the dryness of her mouth.

Justin gripped the wheel at ten and two, his focus squarely out the windshield. The gun sat on his lap.

The ringing of her phone cut through the silence and stretched her nerves tight. There went the hope that Justin wouldn’t be smart enough to take it from her before she got a chance to use it.

“Throw that phone out the window.” Justin cut his gaze to her then back to the road. “Don’t try anything cute.”

Indecision slowed her response as she fished her phone from her pocket. Her dad’s face flashed on the screen. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes. If she could accept the call before tossing out her phone, maybe even scream a few words, she might stand a chance.

Justin picked up the gun and pointed it at her head. His hand shook slightly, and he darted his gaze between her and the road at a panicked pace. “I said get rid of it. Now!”

Not wanting to upset him further, she rolled down the window and tossed out the phone. Wind whipped through the car, the cold air skimming her face. Her finger trembled as she pushed the button to bring the window back up.

A few minutes of silence heightened the tension in the car. She kept her eyes on the signs they passed, but the country roads weren’t clearly marked. The landscape flew by. The colorful trees and winding roads all blended together. Nothing stood out or announced which way they headed, although a sense of familiarity scratched at her brain.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked, unable to stay quiet a second longer.

“You wanted to find your friend, didn’t you? Well, now you’re going to get a real good look at her.”

A pitch of excitement waded through her fear. If he took her to Mila, they could work together to figure out how to get help.

But only if she was still alive.

“Is she all right? Did you hurt her?”

Justin shrugged and tightened his grip on the wheel. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Irritation gritted her teeth. This bastard had stolen her friend, caused heartbreak to people she loved, then kidnapped her at gunpoint and couldn’t be bothered to tell her what he’d done to Mila? Anger battled against common sense, screaming at her to act. Fight back. Do something to show this asshole he’d pay for what he’d done.

But if she stayed quiet and formed a plan, he’d deliver her straight to Mila. Without that, they may never find her. Justin might be a violent asshole who’d end her life, but he was the only chance she had to find her best friend.

She needed a weapon. Something she could use against her captor if he came after her. If he chose to shoot her, she was screwed, but he spoke as if she’d be reunited with Mila. Meaning he’d keep her alive long enough to get to where he kept her.

Her body rigid, she used her peripheral vision to study the inside of the car. Nothing but a dirty mat and crumpled fast food bags laid at her feet. Her fingers itched to open the glove compartment, but no way she could do that without Justin noticing. The back seat was small, and unless she grew eyes in the back of her head, she’d never see what was back there.

Hopelessness pressed down on her chest, but she refused to succumb to it. She needed to stay strong, use her wits, and find a way to survive.

Justin turned off the two-lane road and the car bumped along an uneven lane. The road narrowed and outstretched limbs scraped against the car. The canopy of leaves blocked the sun and darkened the sky. Unable to drive further into the cluster of trees, Justin stopped and shut off the engine. “We’re getting out now. Don’t make me shoot you.”

Her heart jumped to her throat as she stepped out of the car. Twigs and dead leaves crunched under her feet. She studied the forest. They’d ventured far enough into the woods that the foliage swallowed any sounds coming from the road behind them. The path they’d driven on narrowed until it disappeared, leaving no trails.

“Where are we?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Justin stomped to her side and trained the gun at her. “Walk.”

Instinct demanded she run, dart through the woods and use the towering trees as cover. She was quick and might find help before a bullet from Justin’s gun dug into her flesh.

But if he killed her, Mila would never be found.

Okay. Time to form a new plan. Walk beside this bastard until she knew exactly where Mila was. She dragged her feet with each step. Dean would know she was missing by now. If he’d moved fast enough, he might be on his way to find her. She might not know exactly where Justin had taken her, but she’d give anyone who came looking for her every best chance to find her.

They approached a moss-covered rockface. Weeds and grass overtook a path that led to a cavernous opening in the middle of the mountain. Dilapidated boards stretched across parts of the makeshift entrance. Wind whistled through the opening.

Justin moved one of the boards, creating enough space for someone to crawl through. “In you go.”

She took a step backward. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Does it look like I’m joking? Move. Now.” He waved his gun toward the cave.

Saliva pooled in her mouth. No way she’d go inside the mountain. If she did, she’d never make it out.

The board Justin had moved caught her eye. It hung down from the rockface. Summoning all her courage, she sucked in a large breath and walked to the opening.

She stopped beside Justin and stared up at him with widened eyes. “Please don’t do this. I won’t tell anyone what you did. I promise. You can get in your car and drive. Get away from here. Start over.” As she spoke, she braced her arm against the hard rock as if preparing to duck and step inside.

“I can’t. Things have gone too far. I have to clean up this mess. You should have left things alone. I didn’t want any of this to happen, but now I have to look out for me.” He closed his eyes on a long sigh.

Elsie yanked on the board, freeing it from the rock, and swung it against the side of his head.

He stumbled back, falling to the ground as he screamed. “Sonofabitch!”

She leapt over him and ran as fast as she could toward the cover of trees. She had to put as much distance as she could between them. Had to get help and bring someone back to search for Mila. Her lungs burned. Her body vibrated with each slap of her foot against the hard ground. Low hanging branches snagged her hair and whipped it across her face, but she kept moving, kept running.

The car came into view, and relief seeped into her bones. The road was close. She could stay hidden in the shrubs and weeds until someone drove by. She’d done it. She’d escaped her captor and freedom was moments away.

Bang!

A burning pain erupted in her leg and sent her flying to the ground. Stones embedded themselves in the palms of her hands. She whimpered and tried to stand, but the agony was too intense. Too brutal.

No, no, no!

Hurried footsteps came her way. She dug her fingertips into the ground and crawled toward an oak tree. Dread curdled in her stomach. She leaned against the tree, using all her strength to pull herself to her feet. She had to get away. Couldn’t be hunted down like injured prey.

Justin appeared in her sightline, blood trailing down the side of his face. He stalked toward her, his gun pointed at her head. “I told you not to do anything stupid.”

He brought the butt of the gun down on her temple.

She crumpled to the ground, regret in his eyes the last thing she saw before her world went black.