“Yeah, well, good luck with that. I’d suggest you hurry. A pretty lady like her, the guys were already circling in. Especially that jerk, Brent.”
“Brent?” He had no idea who Brent was.
Aidan glanced toward the back room then he looked at Dylan once more. “Yeah, the blond who was hitting on her the other night. The guy can’t seem to take no for an answer.”
“Where. Is. He.” Dylan’s words were a lethal demand.
Aidan scratched his chin and looked around the pub. “I cut him off, so I think he must’ve stumbled out...”
But Rachel’s phone was still transmitting a signal. One from very, very close by.
He spun away from Aidan.
“Is everything all right?” Aidan called.
Dylan rushed back outside. Her building waited to the left. If she’d left fifteen minutes ago, she would’ve been home. He started walking, heading on the same path she should have taken.
He stopped in front of the alley. Its interior was dark, cavernous.
“Rachel?” He shouted her name.
There was no answer to his cry.
He looked back toward her apartment.
She hadn’t made it that far.
Dylan advanced into the alley, his body tense with adrenaline. He eyes adjusted to the darkness. He could’ve pulled out his phone and used it as a light, but he didn’t want to give away his location. Not until he realized what he was facing.
He’d always had good night vision—far better, in fact, than average. So it was easy enough to make out the bulk of the garbage container.
And to see the body lying beside it.
He ran toward the body and his foot stamped down on something hard. Something—
He bent. A phone. Her phone?
Triangulation shows that you should be right near Rachel Mancini.
He bent over the body, and touched the man’s throat. No pulse.
Dylan straightened and whirled in the alley. He shouted for her. “Rachel!”
* * *
WHEN HER EYES OPENED, Rachel found herself in a dark room. She was slumped in a chair. Her hands bound behind her. Her legs were tied, one to each wooden chair leg.
“I learned...from last time.” His voice drifted to her. “It’s better to make sure that you’re securely restrained so I had to tie your legs this time, too.”
She’d known he was there. “Same routine, though, right?” Rachel managed. “Drug me. Kidnap me.” Her voice sounded a little sluggish. Probably from whatever drugs he’d given her. The drugs would also explain why her mouth was so dry.
But she would not let him see or hear her fear. That was what he wanted. To control her. To terrorize her.
“Hey, at least you didn’t wake up in the back of my trunk like you did last time.” Footsteps shuffled toward her.
She squinted her eyes, but she couldn’t see him clearly. It was too dark. Was he still wearing the ski mask?
“I missed you,” he told her.