Page 114 of A Captive Situation

“You, dumbass.”

“I’m not a cop.”

“Jess was a PO. I’m sure she flashed badges or showed them pictures. I don’t know. She’s the one who told them you were an undercover detective and everything was being handled. She thought it was the best way to keep them contained. Trace agreed. I was overruled. Your woman’s family were told that Sawyer was needed to testify against the bad guys. You took her into protective custody.”

I’d had enough with people being in danger becausethey didn’t know they were in danger.

I needed to count down from ten because I wasn’t hearing this bullshit. Because if I was, if anything happened to Sawyer, I would return to the skills I learned from my childhood.

I’d only stick around to count the bodies to see if I’d missed anyone.

“Where the fuck are they?”

Another beep on his end.

“Good news, we know what vehicle they took.”

“What’s the bad news?”

“The bad news is that Jess’s mom gave them her minivan. Handed over the keys. Helped them put their suitcases in the back.”

“Why would she do that?”

“Jess’s mom probably became friends with the aunts, sent them off with a hug and baked goods.”

I wasn’t going to ask any more questions. The more I did, the more my grasp on my control slipped. I was becoming like Sawyer, exceptshe went into show-tunes-land and I went into the land where I needed to spill blood.

“Tell me you have a tracker on that minivan. Tell me you’re able to hack into traffic cameras and can find them. Tell me that, Ashton, because if you don’t, you did not hold up your end of our bargain. You were supposed to handle the aunts. You didn’t.”

His tone hardened. “Don’t forget who you’re talking to, Worthing.”

My jaw clenched. “Honestly? I think it’s time you learn whoyou’retalking to.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

I didn’t respond and he didn’t push it.

I could hear tapping on his end.

“There’s no tracker on her minivan. I think it’d be a better move for me to track Green.”

“No.” I hated this. My knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel so hard. “Green’s in the wind. Sawyer’s with her. Green wasn’t expecting to be taken, but she knows now. She’s gone. It’ll take longer to find her than the aunts. The aunts are the weak link.”

“Hold on.”

I heard a beep in the background.

He said, “I just got a notice from a traffic cam. Found the minivan that you want so badly, but you’re going to be too late.”

My blood chilled. “Where are they?”

He told me, and I looked at the time. He was right. I couldn’t get to them, get Sawyer, and take Green to Lane. There was only enough time to grab Sawyer and run.

“Get your girl and get the fuck out of my city.”

“Gladly.”

Chapter Forty-One

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