Page 35 of Baited

“Unbelievable.” His voice raised an octave and her cheeks lifted in a wince. He laughed and it came out as a scoff. Never in a million years would he have guessed anyone would try something so reckless.

“Go ahead and laugh.” The glint in her eyes turned hard. “I have an idea of what the guy looks like and where he goes to lure women. I’m targeting that description and there can’t be that many in the area that would do such a thing.” She lifted her shoulder.

He rubbed his hand over his jaw, wetting his whiskers. “Yeah, there’s only been two incidents so far of men trying to get you wasted and bring you home.”

Her lips worked and irritation rippled through the water around them. “I’m doing the only thing I can, Ethan.” Her voice pitched on the last part and guilt gnawed through him. He sighed and smoothed his fingers over her skin.

“You can’t be bait. You’re going to get yourself killed. Whoever took Hanna is the one who’s threatening you and we need to take that very seriously.”

Her bottom lip trembled. “I gathered that much. She’s not dead, Ethan.” One tear escaped her lashes and rolled down her cheek.

His insides twisted. He brought his hand out of the water to smooth the tear away with his thumb. All he did was make her cheek even wetter. “Guess that didn’t work.”

Her eyes never left his face and she didn’t smile. The urge to tell her that Hanna would be fine burned his tongue. He couldn’t say it. False hope could destroy her. He knew all too well how these cases ended up. Aside from the obvious, it could be downright horrific. He wanted to protect her and stop her from playing this stupid, deadly game.

“I hope she isn’t—”

Her chin lifted. “He left me a voicemail a few days ago.” Some of the defiance left her eyes but she tensed her mouth. “It was Hanna. She screamed.”

He straightened his shoulders. “You’re sure it was her? Did you take it to the police?”

“I’m positive. Joe wasn’t as convinced, and he told me the night I was attacked that they hadn’t been able to trace the call.”

Ethan nodded. “The guy would have used an encrypted phone. I know this is pretty damning to you that it’s evidence she’s alive… But you need to be prepared for any possibility. I’m going to help you, but you have to promise me you won’t endanger yourself again. Please,” he added.

She lifted one delicate shoulder. Her eyes grew small, holding him at a distance with that simple glare. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t see any way you can help. Thank you for your concern—”

“Tsk-tsk. You’re so quick to underestimate me, when you know nothing about me or my background.”

Her eyes sparked. She shifted in his arms, his body tightened in response to the little shimmy her ass did beneath his palm.

Her eyes grazed over him as if she were seeing him for the first time. “What do you do?”

“Oh now you’re interested?” Still holding Riley, Ethan turned in the water, his feet moved over the rough sand beneath his toes. Swimmers lapped around them now and the water reached just above his waist. She could touch the bottom here, yet she remained in his arms.

“Tell me, what is it you thought I did? I’d like to know before I divulge any information.”

Her eyes narrowed and her lips twitched with the hint of a smile. He moved his fingers along the base of her spine, urging her on.

She sighed, her eyes lifted to the bright sky, then back down to him. “I didn’t give it much thought.” Her green eyes flared with amusement.

“Liar.” He dropped them both into the water, soaking their upper bodies. Riley strained her neck to keep her head above the waves. She laughed and struggled against him.

“Tell me the truth or you’re going under.” He poised to repeat the motion.

“Okay, okay.” Her laugh bubbled from her throat. Small, even, white teeth glimmered in the sun. “If I had to guess I’d say you’re an athlete.”

“Because of my hot body?”

She chuckled softly. “There’s that.”

“Ah, you admit you think I’m hot. Now we’re getting somewhere.” He bobbed his eyebrows at her.

Her mouth opened to protest.

“Save it, honey. There’s no backtracking.”

A blush tinted her golden cheeks. “Believe what you want.” Her hands moved to his neck. “Now are you going to tell me or not? You have about ten seconds before I swim away.”

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