Calamity Jena (Invertary 4)

Joe sighed heavily. “We aren't criminals. This is a job. One we regret taking. Trust me, we want Frank to head back to the States as much as you do. Now how about you cooperate and we’ll get this over with?”

She twisted in his hold and glared up at him. “You've never been in a serious relationship, have you? I bet the only women you're used to are the ones you pay to do as they're told. Well listen up, buster, you're about to learn something important. Real women, normal women, don't get paid by the hour to follow orders.”

Joe frowned at her while there was a bark of laughter from the front of the van.

Jena's head snapped towards Grunt. “I don't know why you're laughing. Do you think your innocent little school teacher will want you now you've kidnapped her brother's girlfriend?”

“Mine,” Grunt practically roared.

Joe winced. “Ignore him. He does that. He's got a possessive streak a mile wide when it comes to Claire.” He lowered his voice, until Jena was sure she was the only one who could hear him. “Unless you want him beating his chest and climbing the nearest tall building with a roar, it'd be good idea not to yank his chain.”

Yeah, like she was going to listen to that advice. She rolled her eyes at the idiot holding her. “Hey, Animal Man,” she called to Grunt. “First thing I'm doing when I'm free is have a very long, and detailed, chat with your girlfriend. Even if she still wants to see you after that, you'll need to get past her brother and half of Scotland's police force to do it.”

The noise that echoed through the van was a mixture of angry gorilla and disgruntled Hulk.

She flashed an evil grin at the back of Grunt's head. “How about you turn this van around and I won't talk to Claire? This can be our secret. Right now all you've done is take me for a little ride. That's all. I bet we can get back to the shop before anyone even notices I'm missing. You can still save your relationship with Claire. You want that, don't you, Grunt?”

Grunt shot a look at Joe. She could see the indecision in his eyes, and for a moment she thought she had him.

“Don't even think about it,” Joe snapped. “You know the alternative. I'll help you do damage control with Claire. She'll understand. Eventually. Keep this van heading forward.”

With a frustrated grunt, the big man turned his attention back to the road.

“I don't see how you can fix this,” Jena told them both. “I'm a woman—trust me, kidnapping another woman isn't something you get over.”

A beefy hand covered her mouth.

“I like you better when you can't talk,” Joe said.

Jena let out a muffled wail. There was nothing she could do now but stew until they reached their destination.

27

Matt, Lake and two of his men piled into their cars and headed north out of Invertary. Witnesses had seen a white van loitering in the alley. They'd assumed it was delivering to the post office, but that didn't check out. Someone else described Grunt as the driver. A woman said she glimpsed Joe, Grunt and Jena in the alley at the time Jena was taking out the trash. It was more than enough evidence to convince Matt that the men had taken Jena. Harry worked his magic online and found a van had been rented to Joe Barone in Fort William that morning. He then hacked into the speed camera network and managed to get a general direction for them to follow. Matt knew Harry would hijack a satellite if it would help them find Jena.

“They turned off the highway onto Robertson Road.” Harry's voice came over loud and clear in the earpiece Lake had given Matt.

“They're probably heading to the old mill,” Lake said over the shared line.

Lake was following Matt in his SUV, along with two of his men, Jason and Rusty.

Matt tamped down the feral rage that fought to overtake him. “I don't get this. Why take her like this? What can they hope to accomplish?”

“We know Frank is desperate to talk her into going back with him, and this move smacks of desperation,” Lake said.

“At least this gives you the legal reason you need to kick him out of Scotland.” Jason’s voice joined the conversation.

“If I don't kill him first and bury his body in the hills,” Matt mumbled.

There was laughter in his ear.

“Your mic is live, cuz,” Harry said. “If you're plotting murder, you might not want to confess publically beforehand.”

Matt scowled. He wasn't plotting murder. He was finding it hard to think straight, never mind plot. All he wanted was to bring Jena home and hurt Frank. Was that asking too much?

“I'm not going to kill him,” Matt said tightly. “But if my fist slips a few times in the direction of his face, that would be fine.”

“You do have that strange muscular tic,” Harry said with humour in his voice. “I've often seen your arm fly out without conscious effort. Wouldn't be your fault if it happened around Frank. It is a stress-related condition, and this is stressful.”