Page 55 of Kai's Hunger

“I know.” I shoved the front doors open, then glanced across the lot. Lily’s van was still at the shop. I headed for it. “Just do it again.”

The clacking of keys on a keyboard came through the line. “You think he bought something recently?”

“I don’t know, maybe,” I hedged. “He’s got them somewhere. My bet is he’s not that far from town either. He’s comfortable here. Has everything he needs. And he wants to be close to us. To his source of guinea pigs.”

“Sick bastard,” he growled. “Okay, there’s something here.”

“Yeah?” I picked up my pace, running across the street to the front of the auto shop.

“I’ll shoot you an address, but you should wait for backup, Kai. He’ll have the place locked down.”

“Update Wyatt. I’ll meet you guys there.” I ended the call on Miggs’ tirade. I wouldn’t wait around with my thumb up my ass while Lily was being tortured by Patterson.

When I entered the shop and located Bridger under the hood of an old pickup truck, I called out, “Bridger.”

He lifted his head and smiled. “Hey, Kai.”

“Where’s the van?”

“Done, waiting for you to pick it up.” He went toward a workbench, then grabbed a set of keys off a wallboard with nails sticking out. “Heard all the commotion at the diner. What happened? Robbery?”

“No.” I caught the keys in midair. “Kidnapping.”

His gaze widened. “Damn, never heard of anything like that in these parts. Who got taken?”

“I’ll have Miggs wire the money,” I called out as I left, clutching the keys in my hands. I got into Lily’s van, then checked my messages. Miggs had come through with an address. Forty-five-minute drive. Tops. I prayed it was the place Patterson had Lily.

Before I could get the van in gear another text came through. This one from Wyatt:

On our way

I shoved the van into drive, then sped off. Patterson’s reign of terror was nearly at its end. The bastard just didn’t know it yet.

****

Lily

The guard escorted me into a small room with a desk and a couple of filing cabinets. Patterson sat behind it, staring at a computer screen. As we entered, he glanced up and smiled. “Ms. Hall, please have a seat.” He gestured toward the chair across from him. The guard shoved me onto it and left the room. Now, I was alone with a man capable of torturing another person. Capable of murder. The knowledge sent shivers down my spine.

“Why have you brought me here?” I asked, getting right to it. “I’ve done nothing to you. I don’t even know you.”

He steepled his hands in front of him. “But we do have a mutual acquaintance, yes?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Dodging the question was the only thing I could do. “I’m only passing through this area. I’m not staying.”

“You are from Walnut Ridge. Your mother’s name is Grace and you have a sister named Victoria.” He sat back in the chair, his brows pulling together. “I know all about you, Lily.”

He’d researched me. Jesus, did that mean my mother and sister could be in danger? “Great, then you know I’m telling the truth.”

He waved a hand in the air. “I also know that you are staying with the Ravenbriars. My understanding is that Kai has taken quite a liking to you.”

And how could he know that? Was someone watching Kai? Supplying Patterson with information? “He helped me with my van. That’s all.” I tilted my head to one side. “I don’t see how that’s any business of yours.”

“Everything about the Ravenbriars is my business.” He tapped his bottom lip with his index finger. “What do you know about them?”

“I know they were kind enough to help me out when I wrecked my van.”

“I see,” he mused. “Your knight in shining armor.”

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