Page 77 of Stolen Hearts

Justin’s voice snaked behind her like smoke. She spun, heart thudding. He stood by the tall window that overlooked the back yard, where she used to chase fireflies in the summer and build snowmen in winter.

Now the man standing before her turned that memory into something jagged and ugly.

“I thought it might be comforting,” he said, still watching the grounds. “To be back where it all started.”

“Why am I here?” she managed, voice rough.

He turned toward her, smiling like they were just catching up after a long time apart. “You needed a break. You’ve been working so hard. I thought it might be nice for you to reconnect with your roots.”

Her mouth went drier. “Justin, this isn’t okay. You drugged me.”

“No harm done. That was only temporary.” He waved his hand like what he did was nothing. “I only gave you enough to bring you here without a fuss.”

Her breath shuddered in and out. She had to think.Use your training. Use the damn skills.The ones she taught others to calm anxiety, to ground themselves.

“I don’t understand,” she said slowly, modulating her voice like she was in a session with a volatile client. “But maybe…you can help me. Help me understand what’s going on, Justin.”

He tilted his head, smiling like she was a particularly clever student. “That’s what I like about you. You’re so calm. So rational.”

She forced herself to nod, though her insides screamed. “You always seemed insightful too. Self-aware.”

He beamed.

“Can I go into the kitchen? Get a drink of water?”

“You’ll leave when I say you can.”

She stuffed her hands deep in her pockets to hide the fact that her hands were shaking. She’d counseled patients through delusions, through psychosis and paranoia, but this wasn’t a session. This was her life.

Her big life with a big future with her daughter and Denver.

Oh, God. Navy.

She swallowed hard. “Navy,” she said before she could stop herself. “Where is she? Is she okay?”

Justin’s eyes narrowed, his voice flattening. “You don’t need to worry about the baby. I’m sure she’s fine on the ranch.”

“She’s…very attached to me,” Rhae said carefully. “Babies need bonding. Familiar scents. Otherwise, they can—”

“Iknowhow child development works,” he snapped, then caught himself and smoothed his hands down the front of his shirt. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to raise my voice.”

“It’s okay,” she said softly, backing a half step closer to the door. Useless—the drug was still rolling through her veins, making her much slower than he was. But she needed to keep him talking. Keep himstable.

“You’ll have more privileges soon,” he said. “Once I know I can trust you.”

She nodded. “Of course. Trust is earned. It’s built over time. That’s what I tell my clients.”

He smiled again, but this time none of his smiles ever reached his eyes. He had to be planted on the Black Heart Ranch by Robert. Justin never would have known to bring her here without instruction.

Rhae glanced at the cameras, one near each corner. Her stalker could be watching now.

Denver, please find me.

She refused to let herself cry. Couldn’t.

But she let the words fill her chest like a mantra.

Denver will come. He’ll always be there for me. He’ll tear through the very rock of the earth to get to me.

---