Page 166 of Protecting You

Alyssa hadn't hadn’t realized how cold she was until that moment. She snuggled Peri closer and ground out a “Thank you” to the guard. Her life was in these men’s hands now. She needed to be very careful.

She whispered, “Are you hurt?”

Peri didn’t speak, but she shook her head.

“Are you sure? You can tell me.”

The child looked up with wide eyes and shook her head again.

“Good. It’s going to be okay.” She rocked Callan’s daughter, holding her close, wanting to tell her that her daddy was on his way. That he’d rescue them.

But she couldn’t risk it.

Ghazi had chosen this island, this house—just one of many lining the shore—for a reason.

The driver of the boat hadn’t come inside with them. Yet his plan couldn’t have been to leave the island, considering he’d made the trek all the way to the beach house. Which meant he was elsewhere. With other men?

Probably.

But how many? And where were they?

Even though Callan had their location, there was no guarantee he’d be able to get to them.

Ghazi was a step ahead, as always.

Alyssa and Peri might be on their own.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT

Callan had been going a little crazy, watching Alyssa’s location skim across the ocean.

Since no planning could be done until they knew where she was headed, he’d forced himself to leave Grant and Gavin to track her.

Callan needed to walk away for a few minutes, to think. And pray.

He headed for the library. When he pushed on the door, Summer stopped it from swinging open. She saw who it was and then stepped aside.

Apparently, the tall, pregnant blond was playing the part of bodyguard today.

Alyssa’s mother and sisters stood when they saw him, their expressions begging for good news.

But fearing the worst.

“She’s still on the move,” he said. “No news.”

Evelyn stepped around her chair toward him. “We’re praying. I’m so sorry about Peri.” Tears hovered in her eyes. “I didn’t know what to do.”

She’d already apologized once.

“There was nothing you could do. I’m sorry I put you in danger. I didn’t anticipate…”

“They’ll find them, Mom.” Brooklynn gripped her hand, and the other sisters stood nearby as well. All as afraid, as terrified, as he was. “What can we do?”

“Just keep praying. There’s nothing more important than that. I was hoping…” He looked around, and his gaze snagged on his bag, lying on the floor a few feet away. He snatched it up. “Good. She left this for me.”

He hated to walk away from Alyssa’s family, standing there, looking terrified. But he had to get back. Robert had said he’d only bugged the room Gavin usually used as an office when he was at the club, so this one shouldn’t be wired. And Summer was keeping everyone out.

Even so, he moved close and lowered his voice. “Keep this to yourselves, in case there’s another spy among us.” Alyssa’s mom and sisters wore wide eyes and hopeful expressions. “Alyssa’s wearing a tracker. We know exactly where she is. When they stop, we’ll make a plan.”

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