“Coffee is served, gentlemen.” Danielle placed the tray on the mattress.
Lance pulled her into his muscled body. “Who you calling ‘gentlemen?’”
Chuck reached over and tugged on her hair. “You know better, or shall we prove to you again what we’re capable of?”
“Absolutely, but later.” She couldn’t contain herself one second longer. “I’ve got news, and it’s wonderful. Michael just proposed to Harry and he accepted. They’re going to get married.”
Chuck smiled broadly. “That is good news. I’m thinking about settling down myself.”
Her heart began to pick up its pace.
Lance kissed her. “Me, too, buddy. White picket fence, nice house, the whole package.”
She began to tremble with joy. “Who’s the lucky girl?” Before they could answer, her cell rang. “Damn. Now I’ll have to wait to find out.” She brought her phone to her ear. “Hello.”
The voice she heard made her blood turn icy in her veins.
“Hey, little girl. It’s your daddy. Don’t tip off your fuck buddies or your mother dies, understand?”
“Yes,” she choked out, trying to remain calm. Would Miguel actually kill her mother? She wasn’t sure but couldn’t take the risk. Though her mother had never made a move to save her, Danielle wasn’t about to do anything that would endanger her.
“Very good. Listen carefully. Your mother is at your house tied to a chair in your kitchen. You know what I want. I want my book. The one you stole from me.”
“Why?” She could see the concern on the faces of Lance and Chuck growing. Even though she was glad they were here, she needed to hear Miguel out first before she told them he was on the other end of the call.
“Like you don’t know.”
“I don’t know anything.”
“By now, I was sure you would’ve had it appraised. Two days before you ran away, I found an appraisal for the book in Pauline’s desk. When I saw it in your hands, I thought you’d seen it, too. God, I forgot how stupid of a bitch you could be.” His evil tone sent a chill up and down her spine. “It’s a first edition and very rare. Back then it was valued over a million dollars. No telling what it is worth today.”
She had no clue that Pauline’s gift was worth that kind of money. No wonder Miguel wanted it so badly.
“Bring it to your house. Alone. Be here in ten minutes or your mother dies. If you don’t do as I say, I will burn your house down with Merle in it.”
“No!”
Lance jerked the phone out of her hand. “Who is this?” he demanded. “The line is dead.”
“Oh God, he’s going to kill my mother. It was Miguel. He has my mother at my house. He wants my book. I gotta go, now. He said ten minutes.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” Chuck stated flatly. “We are.”
“I’ll call the sheriff.” Lance put on his clothes fast. “I’ll have him meet us at Danielle’s house.”
“Michael,” Chuck yelled, finishing dressing. “Get in here.”
Michael ran in with Harry right behind. “What’s going on?”
“We’re headed to Danielle’s house. Her stepfather is there with her mother. You two stay here with her. Get your guns.” Lance meant business. “Take care of our girl.”
“Our guns are in a room upstairs. I’ll get them.” Harry ran to retrieve his and Michael’s weapons.
“Take my book.” She felt her heart pounding in her chest harder than it had ever done before.
Lance shook his head. “That’s your treasure.”
“It is, but my mother’s life is worth more than this.”