Placing his arm around her protectively, Cam hadn’t thought about that possibility.
What if Niklaus was responsible for Dylan’s disappearance? Sure, his brother had left on his own accord back at Lover’s Beach, but what if he’d intercepted Mitrofanov and his two tatted nephews. Was Dylan in a trunk now, like Erica had been? The odds were slim that anyone would get the jump on his brother. But Cam couldn’t rule out that possibility. Dylan had been upset when he’d left. Even with all his training, Dylan might’ve been off his game.
“I’m sorry, miss. I don’t know this Mr. Strange fellow.” Niklaus pulled out his unlit cigar and twirled it between his fat thumb and forefinger. “My offer stands of trying to help you, should you choose. Shall we all sit down and get the facts on the table?”
“The fact is, Mitrofanov, you are a suspect in Miss Coleman’s recent abduction.” Jason set his gun on his desk, but it was still only a fraction of an inch from his hand.
The false look of shock on the bastard’s face made Cam’s jaw tighten. “When did this crime happen, Sheriff?”
“You fucking know that.” Cam poked Mitrofanov in the chest. “If you did anything to my brother, you will have me to deal with. Got it?”
“Do you gentlemen have any proof of the accusations you are hurling at me?”
Jason sneered. “Not yet, but we will.”
Cam pulled Erica in tight and led her out the door, away from the monster who was taking up residence in their hometown.
* * * *
Erica sat across from Cam in one of the booths at Blue’s Diner, the only restaurant in Destiny that was open until midnight. Midnight? It was fast approaching and they still didn’t have a clue where Dylan was. Her heart was racing. What if that Russian in Jason’s office had done something to him? She’d screamed and Dylan had left. Had she caused him to be caught by the mobster’s thugs?
“Have you tried to call him?” she asked Cam.
“No, I haven’t. When Dylan doesn’t want to be found, it doesn’t matter what you do. He won’t answer.”
“Please, Cam. Try.”
Though he knew it would be fruitless, Cam reached into his coat and frowned. Then he patted his pockets. “I must’ve left my cell at the beach or in my car.”
“I’ll try him,” she said, pulling out her cell. It rang and rang. Then Dylan’s voice mail message came on, filling her with dread. “No answer. We’ve got to do something, Cam. Where haven’t we looked? Maybe we should go to Dylan’s house again?”
“Honey, I’m sure he’s not there. I’m sure he’s fine. You and I both know his background. He’s got the best training the CIA can dish out.”
“You know that for sure,” she said. “How? He never talks about the past with anyone. Does he with you?”
Ca
m shook his head. “I don’t think he’s allowed to. You know the government and their secrets.”
“I suppose you’re right. Dylan has a ton of secrets of his own, I’m guessing.”
“You’re right about that.” Cam reached across the table and grabbed her hands. “He needs you, Erica, as much as you need him. I know it. We’ll find him.”
She wanted to believe that, wanted to with all her heart. “The CIA. Wait. Matt and Sean worked for the CIA. I remember Dylan saying that before they moved here from Texas. They all worked together. Maybe they can help us find him?”
“Beautiful and smart. Quite the package.”
She pulled out her cell and dialed the Texans. “I’ll have them meet us at TBK Tower, so they can use the computers there.”
“Great idea.”
Two minutes later, they were out the door and headed for TBK. Erica hoped the Texans were as good as everyone said they were. She had to get to Dylan and explain what happened or the three of them didn’t have a chance at happiness.
* * * *
Dylan sat on the bed of the motel room he’d rented for the night. He’d driven into Goodnight, Colorado, a town about an hour outside of Destiny, knowing if he stayed home, Cam would have eventually found him. He knew his brother was beyond angry with him for walking out on Erica.
He stared at the bottle of whiskey on the nightstand. The amber liquid inside tempted him. Sure, it was a crutch, but it was a familiar crutch.