Page 106 of Duty Unbound

“I’ll keep digging into local connections,” Corey continued. “See if there’s any pattern to similar cases in the region. You focus on the Nova angle. Between us, we’ll find her.”

I nodded, forcing myself to take a deep breath. “Thanks, Corey.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Thank me when we bring her home.”

When, not if. I clung to that distinction like a lifeline as I drove back to Nova’s estate. Thirty-six hours had passed with no word from Mel or her kidnapper. Every minute that ticked by pushed us further from a good outcome.

But she wasn’t the woman in that warehouse. She was still out there somewhere.

And I would find her.

I had to.

Chapter 34

Mel

I floated through darkness, my mind swimming up through layers of cotton and fog. Something was wrong. My body felt heavy, disconnected, like I was trying to move through molasses. My eyelids weighed a thousand pounds each.

Where was I?

I forced my eyes open, blinking rapidly against the disorientation. Dark shapes slowly resolved into the interior of a car. I was in the back seat, my head resting awkwardly against the window. Outside, darkness had fallen, headlights from occasional passing cars briefly illuminating the interior before plunging it back into shadow.

Had I fallen asleep on the way back to Nova’s? Was I with Ethan? The last thing I remembered was going to buy coffee.

My heart sped up as I realized the silhouette behind the wheel wasn’t Ethan’s broad shoulders. The driver was slighter, his profile unfamiliar in the dim glow from the dashboard.

Until he turned slightly, and recognition slammed into me.

Tommy Fitzsimmons.

The guy I’d gone on two completely forgettable dates with six months ago. The one who kept texting me even though I never responded.

“Tommy?” My voice came out raspy, my throat painfully dry.

He jerked slightly, then his face split into a wide smile as he glanced at me in the rearview mirror.

“Hey, sleepyhead! You’re finally awake.” His voice was cheerful, as if this was completely normal. As if I should know why I was in his car. “How are you feeling?”

“I—” I tried to push myself upright, but my limbs weren’t cooperating. “What’s happening? Where are we?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that right now.” He waved a dismissive hand. “We’ve still got a ways to go. You should drink some water, though. There’s a bottle by your feet.”

I stared at him, trying to make sense of this bizarre situation. Why was I with Tommy? Where was Ethan? Where was my phone?

“Tommy.” I worked to keep my voice steady. “What’s going on? Why am I in your car?”

He laughed, the sound jarring in the quiet interior. “We’re on our road trip. Finally.”

Road trip? What was he talking about?

“I don’t—” I closed my eyes, fighting against rising panic. Stay calm. Think. “I don’t remember planning a road trip with you.”

“Well, it was kind of spur-of-the-moment,” he said lightly. “But you said yes! You were very enthusiastic.”

I definitely did not say yes to anything with Tommy Fitzsimmons. Something was very, very wrong here.

“Tommy, I think there’s been a misunderstanding.” I triedagain to sit up properly, and this time succeeded in at least getting myself upright. “Can you pull over?”

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