I nod and grab the keys from him. He doesn’t argue. I get into the driver’s seat and Johnson sits shotgun. Patricks gets into the back.
“Okay, they’re across town,” he says. “They’re parked at Madison and Main.”
I start the engine and pull out. I drive fast, the tires kicking up stones. Johnson gives me a look but I just ignore him.
Time is a problem here. I don’t know how long those two are going to stay wherever they are right now. I need to get there fast if I’m going to be able to get Amber back.
The gate pulls back and I fly out onto the street. The tires scream as I turn and drive into town. “Slow down,” Johnson says. “You’ll get pulled over. Can’t get there in time if you’re stopped by a cop.”
“They’ll let me go.”
“Sure, but it’ll still take longer.”
I clench my jaw but he’s right. I slow down to a more reasonable pace, but I’m still going fast. My heart’s hammering in my chest.
I can’t believe this happened again.
I thought I was being careful. I posted guards, I made sure they’d stay with her. But I shouldn’t have left. I was stupid to walk away. I thought she was safe with the security, at least on the grounds, but now I can’t control anything.
Fucking hell. Hannah and Collin, those stupid fucks. I don’t know what kind of trouble they got themselves into that they need to kidnap my fucking girl, but they’re going to pay for this.
I make it to Madison and Main and spot the car. Patricks points. “Right there.”
I nod and pull over. I park and get out with Johnson and Patricks right on my tail.
“Hold on,” Johnson says. “We don’t know where they are. They could be—”
I just ignore him. I walk to the car and peer inside. It’s empty, but there’s a black hood on the floor.
My heart leaps. I’m so angry I can barely breathe.
The car is parked in front of a laundromat. There’s a grocery store next to that and an athletic running company at the end. There are apartments up above the shops, and I have a strange feeling that she’s up there in one of those.
“You two stay here,” I say.
“Wait, we can’t just—” Johnson starts.
I look at him. “If you’re so desperate to keep your job, you’d better shut the fuck up and do what I tell you to do.
He clenches his jaw but nods. I stare at him a beat longer then turn to the building.
“Watch the car,” I say. “Don’t linger right here, though. Get out of sight. If they try to leave, stop them.”
“What are you going to do?” Patricks asks.
“I’m heading inside.”
Without waiting for a response, I walk up the front steps and open the main door.
Fortunately, this is a small town, and small towns aren’t too worried about security. I walk right up the steps and into the apartment section of the building.
There are more than a few places. I look at the hallways and consider. If I were them, where would I want to hide out?
I go to the top floor. There are fewer apartments here, so they must be larger. I start at the first door and knock.
An older woman answers. “Yes?”
“Hi, ma’am. I’m looking for my cousins, Hannah and Collin. The girl looks like--”
“They live down there,” she says, pointing at the end of the hall. “Door on the right.”
I blink. “Wow. Okay, thanks.”
“The girl’s rude. And the boy’s too loud. They’re the only young people in this whole building.”
“You described them perfectly.” I nod at her. “Thanks, ma’am.”
“No problem, hon.”
She shuts the door and I hear the bolt click shut. I smile to myself and walk to the end of the hall. I knock on the door she indicated but I move to the side. I don’t want them to see my face and panic without opening the door.
I hear footsteps and whispered voices. Nothing happens. I keep waiting until I hear the steps recede.
I knock again.
The footsteps come back. This time, I distinctly hear Hannah’s voice.
“No, dummy, don’t open.”
“But it could be a package.”
“Are you expecting anything?”
The lock clicks open. The door creaks.
“No, but—”
I come around the corner and punch him in the nose so hard his head whips back. Hannah screams as Collin’s nose crunches. She stumbles away and turns to run, but I grab her wrist and fling her against the wall. She grunts as I kick Collin in the ribs for good measure.
I slam the door shut.
“Where is she?”
Hannah looks up at me with pure loathing. “Go to hell,” she says. “You and your whole damned family. You can all go to—”
I whip my fist at her but stop inches from her face. She groans in fear and flinches back.
“Where is she?” I ask quietly.