Page 27 of Two Hearts' Subterfuge

Lara hadn’t been around but neither had her friend, so both had probably been home with family because of the holiday.

Aylin had a smile on her face when she fell asleep that night. The wedding had been pretty much perfect, and Camille had looked stunning.

Her brother Rafe had definitely thought so too.

Chapter Fifteen

The following morning, Aylin woke early, and after looking through the window at the scenic picture below, she decided that she just had to take a short walk in the snow.

The Inn’s lakefront was coated with snow, the holiday lights already glowing on the trees even though it was early morning. There were greens and lights lining the roof of the gazebo that was built above the water near the lakefront as well as along the railing of the huge deck below. Apparently, the Inn hosted entertainment out there during the summer months. And then there was the waterfall, flowing freely, despite the ice lining the edges of the pond. She’d seen some fish peeking up at her the day they’d first arrived, and she’d taken a quick walk around the Inn with Dad, so the pondwater must have been heated.

The place had such a festive look, that she wanted to see everything close up. She couldn’t see the harm in taking a short walk as long as she stayed close to the Inn.

She bundled up in her new winter coat and boots, slipping on gloves before walking through the solarium exit.

And much to her surprise, she could see a lone figure jogging along a snow coated path near the lake. It was the boy she’d seen yesterday, she realized, so she lifted her hand to wave when he smiled once he saw her.

But as she started along the pathway that led to the lake, someone yanked her backwards, covering her face with a smelly coarse cloth.

She was out like a light.

* * *

Ben’s heart felt happy when he saw Aylin walk out from inside the Inn’s solarium. Lara had already promised to introduce him today since the family would be here for a few more days, but he couldn’t believe his luck.

Now, they could spend some time alone and maybe go for a walk.

But then Ben couldn’t believe his eyes when some strange guy walked briskly from around the side of the Inn, grabbing Aylin. Apparently, he did something that quickly made her pass out because she started to drop to the ground before the guy scooped her into his arms, rushing back along the path and then out of sight around the corner of the Inn.

“Hey,”Ben called out, running towards the Inn. Luckily, it had only snowed about an additional inch, because otherwise he wouldn’t have been out running this morning and wouldn’t have seen Aylin being snatched.

By the time he called Dad, there might not have been a way of finding her, he decided, running even faster along the side of the Inn and toward the parking lot.

He saw the same dark rental car that he’d seen the other day pulling out of the parking lot and onto Beach Road.

Luckily, he’d driven the truck over today, intending to run some errands in town once he’d showered after finishing his workout.

Rushing toward the truck which was thankfully parked in the main lot today since it wasn’t too busy, Ben revved up the engine, quickly putting the truck into gear and driving out of the parking lot with squealing tires to catch up with the car.

“The guy probably didn’t hear me yelling, which is a good thing,” Ben muttered, catching sight of the car right away. “They’re going the speed limit, trying not to draw attention since there’s already some traffic on the road.”

He should be able to keep up.

The truck was equipped with wireless, so it was relatively easy to call Dad, hands free.

“What’s up, Ben?” Dad asked, sounding distracted.

“Dad, someone just kidnapped that friend of Lara’s. Aylin’s her name. I think they’re the same guys that you’ve been looking into for me. I’m following the car.”

“Ben,”Dad yelled. “I want you to wait for help.”

“I will, Dad. But if I don’t follow them, you’re not going to know where they are.”

“Okay. We’ll track you and have someone join you right away. But no heroics. I repeat—no heroics.If they stop and you arrive at their location, stay out of sight and wait for help.”

“Agreed,” Ben replied, continuing to follow the car, which appeared to be headed toward town.

But after turning onto Main Street, the car continued north through town.

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