Page 82 of Pick Your Spot

Did he realize she was awake?

Thea tried to keep her body relaxed. Her feet and hands tingled from the tight bindings. She wanted to flex them but was afraid that would alert him. And make him realize she wasn’t as compliant as he hoped.

At least he didn’t want her dead. Even if she couldn’t get away now, she’d have more chances later.

The thought terrified her.

Where was Knox?

Knox drove through the trees, frustrated at the lack of paths. If Andy was using an ATV, he would be far more likely to stick to trails.

It didn’t appear there were any trails on Greg and Sally’s property. The pair had re-wilded their yard in a way that had made Thea smile.

Where the hell was she?

Dodge patted his shoulder from where he sat on the back of the ATV. He was a great scout and would be on the alert for any clues. So far, there’d been none.

With a curse, Knox shut off the engine. The instant silence pressed down on him. “He couldn’t get an ATV through here. Not without knowing the area and having a trail to follow.”

Dodge nodded. “Agreed. He has to have a car nearby. Head to the road, and we’ll start searching from there.”

Fox’s bark broke into the silence and made Knox flinch. The dog sounded pissed, not something Knox had ever heard.

He didn’t waste time. He poured all of his energy into finding the fastest way to the road. Would the asshole have parked along the route? Taken Thea there while they hadn’t known she was missing?

He cursed himself for not studying the area more closely. He didn’t know how many side roads there were nearby. Roads that led to empty properties. Were there alternate roads onto their neighbors’s lands? Trails or paths that led from the main road?

All Gammon would need would be a short road, enough to hide the vehicle from anyone driving by. A car on the main road would be too obvious. He’d parked down in front of Sally’s and Greg’s place when he’d showed up at the farm before, so he should know Knox knew what he drove.

Maybe he’d scouted around for a less obvious spot.

Hoping he was on the right track, Knox eased back onto his own property and raced through the paths. Fox stood closer to the road, past the edge of trees and in the open. When he saw Knox on the ATV, he barked again and led the way up to the farmhouse and past the next one, all the way to the top of the driveway.

Knox drove past where Epic had blocked off the drive. He waved at his friend to follow, hoping Fox was right.

The ATV wasn’t as fast as a car but he didn’t have far to go, and Fox had pointed the way. He yelled his thanks to the dog as he drove by him, wishing he could stop for him. Not only was there no room, but Fox didn’t like vehicles. And Knox didn’t want to waste any time.

There weren’t any roads before the drive to their neighbors. He raced past it, with Epic following in his car. And Fox loping down the road behind them.

When he spotted a barely there road, Knox turned onto it. He heard Troy stop his car behind, blocking any vehicles from exiting.

The road curved, and Dodge signaled for him to cut the engine. He did, and his buddy jumped off. Knox followed suit, not sure what Ford had seen until he pointed, and Knox saw the glint of metal in the trees ahead.

The ATV hadn’t exactly been a stealthy approach, but it didn’t matter. If that was Gammon’s vehicle, he wasn’t getting past them.

Wishing he’d stopped at the farmhouse to get a weapon, Knox moved forward anyway. Dodge took the other side of the road, and they moved in.

“Knox! Help!” Thea’s scream shattered the air, and he raced ahead, not bothering with cover. Speed was more important. Dodge would be his stealthy backup if he needed it.

When Knox rounded the curve, he saw Gammon’s vehicle with the trunk open.

Thea screamed again, but it was cut short, and Knox poured on the speed. He couldn’t see them yet. Thea hadn’t been calling his name because she’d seen him. She’d been calling for help and hoping. Knowing he and the others would be searching.

Knox crouched as he neared the car. No sense in alerting Gammon to his presence until necessary. He didn’t know if the man had a gun or another weapon. If he saw Knox, he could use Thea as a shield. Gammon wouldn’t know he didn’t stand a chance. Using the woman Knox loved as a shield would be his final mistake.

“Stupid bitch. I’m taking you back to where you belong. Stop fighting me. I’m taking you home. I need you to keep my job. I need to pay him back and you’re my ticket. You’ll be happy once we’re there. Stop fighting me.”

Knox swallowed the anger down. Gammon was an idiot. But he was an idiot who didn’t know Knox had found them. And didn’t know he was finished.

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