Page 10 of Baited

“That woman at the bar, who was she? From what I can tell, she couldn’t be more different than the Riley sitting in front of me.”

Her stomach pitched. It hadn’t been an insult, and the gentle way he spoke oozed concern. “Good-bye, Ethan.” This time he didn’t stop her when she slid out of the truck. She wasn’t sure if she was happy about that or not.

“That was quick.” Jenny’s eyebrows bobbed when Riley strode back inside.

“Not much to talk about.” She sailed passed Jenny and into the back room. She made a quick sandwich in the kitchen, sat, and nibbled while she pulled her phone from her purse.

A missed call and new voicemail flashed across her screen. She’d forgotten it was on silent since she’d gone to bed last night, so she hadn’t heard it ring when she was in the truck with Ethan. Her stomach plummeted and turkey salad threatened to catapult up from her stomach. She placed the sandwich on the plate in front of her and sucked in a deep breath.

It was a local number she didn’t recognize.

But that didn’t mean it was him. She pressed the voicemail icon and entered her password.

One new message.

She tightened her grip on the phone and curled her other hand around the edge of the small table. She hit the number one to listen to the new recording. The line crackled in her ear.

A scream split through her eardrum and died.

Riley bolted to her feet, terror slammed against her palate.Hanna.Her hand trembled and vomit climbed up the back of her throat.

Her fingers shook as she pressed Save and then dialed Joe’s number. Her lungs cried out for her to take a breath, but for the life of her, she couldn’t summon the strength. Joe answered on the second ring and words came tumbling out in a desperate plea.

“Joe, it’s Riley. He left me a voice mail—he has Hanna.” Her voice teetered on the verge of hysteria.

“Calm down, Riley. Where are you?”

She swallowed and held her palm to her pulsating temple. “At work.”

“Sit tight. I’ll be right over.”

She disconnected and set her phone down on the table in front of her. Her breastbone vibrated with every sharp beat of her heart. She pressed her elbows to the counter and rested her forehead on her closed fists. She had to get a grip or she’d be no use to the police.

This was the first major clue that Hanna was alive. The bastard was tormenting her. He wanted her to search for Hanna. But she didn’t need his threatening calls and antics. She needed him to attempt to take her—that was the only way she’d find Hanna.

He’d slip up. He had to.

CHAPTER 3

He sucked ina slow breath through his nose and pulled into his parking spot at work. From the moment he’d learned she was back in Beaufort, his instincts had screamed at him that Riley Reynolds would be a problem. It wasn’t a coincidence that she’d shown up within a week after he’d taken Hanna. And all she’d done was talk about Hanna’s disappearance with everyone.

By now, the residents of the small town just wanted to forget the horror and devastation of the missing young woman. But Riley wouldn’t let it die. He’d left her a voicemail from his encrypted phone today, and maybe between that and her catching him in her house she’d take the fucking hint. Had she not caught him in her house and run like hell, she’d have been his.

She’d been lucky. She had no idea that moving into Hanna’s old place had put her right where he wanted her. He’d set up a camera and sound bug months ago to watch Hanna, and now he could do the same with Riley.

Sweat rolled down the bridge of his nose and he wiped it off with his sleeve. He’d gotten to the diner before the lunch rush had begun, and had been close enough to overhear Riley tell Jenny that she had Hanna’s journal. He’d been lucky until now that nothing had tied him to Hanna… it had never crossed his mind that she’d have a journal and could have documented everything. He’d kept his notes anonymous, but he had made a subtle pass at her. Had it been enough to put Hanna on edge? All it would take was a mention of his name to have the police at his door.

As if Riley returning wasn’t bad enough, now he had this shit to worry about. When she’d first arrived in town, he’d been terrified Hanna had maybe told Riley that he’d hit on her. But if she had, Riley had either forgotten, or she’d neglected to tell the police.

He’d watched Riley’s face light up the moment Ethan had walked in. The friendly newcomer with his jacked, linebacker shoulders and solid, military stride made his hackles rise. Something about the observant visitor put him on high alert.

Ethan would be trouble.

Riley was his now and it was up to him to decide if he wanted to get rid of her or keep her for fun with Hanna.

A tremor rolled down his spine as he climbed out of the car. He’d taken a big risk by taking Hanna here, in his hometown. Normally, he reserved his abductions for short trips out of town, and he’d be done with the women within a week.

Hanna…God. She was different. He’d had his eye on her for years but had always resisted the temptation. When the urge crept over him, suppressing his soul, he’d leave town and get his fill somewhere else. But every time he came back, she was here. Waiting. Taunting him.

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