Page 12 of Captive at Rescue Ridge

Annalee leaned her head against the headrest and pinched the bridge of her nose like she was staving off a headache. “Going to your cabin might be a mistake.”

“I apologi—”

“It’s not that,” she cut in. “If Owen was confused for you, and then the bastard realized his mistake, going to the cabin might be walking right into his hands.” She looked at him, and he could feel the intensity of her gaze. “That’s right. I’m afraid Owen might have been mistaken for you.”

“Why would anyone be after me?” It had been years since he’d associated with Annalee or her mother. “Why come here at all?”

“To draw me out of hiding.” She dropped her hand and then clasped her fingers in her lap, twisting them like a pretzel.

“I’m confused. What could you have possibly done to cause someone to abduct my brother?” He couldn’t fathom her breaking the law, at least not with a serious crime. Granted, she’d lifted his keys from his pocket better than any pro, but that didn’t mean she was a hardcore criminal. “Is this related to an ex? A boyfriend? Husband?”

“I’m not in a curr…no.” She stumbled over the words like that was the last question she’d expected to hear.

“Most women are hurt by the person they trust most.” It was a sad fact. One he’d read about and been sickened by. No woman deserved to be abused, and especially not by the person they loved.

“That’s not the case here,” she reassured. “You’re on the right track, but it’s not about me. I’ve watched my mother’s relationships too long to fall into the same traps, and I’ve long believed that I’m better off alone than with someone who could raise a hand to me or spew out hurtful words.”

“Then, tell me what’s going on with Becca.”

“I can’t.”

“Not good enough, Annalee.” He clenched his back teeth. “My brother’s life could be on the line here.”

“You’re right, but my hands are tied.” She issued a sharp sigh. “This has to do with my mother, and it’s not my story to tell.”

“It is when my brother turns up missing,” he argued. “Is Owen still alive?”

“I hope so.”

Hope wasn’t good enough for Archer.

“If they mistook him for you, which I think we can assume has happened, then he should be safe as long as we don’t show our hand,” she said.

“What does that even mean? Show our hand? And who the hell arethey?”

“I honestly don’t know.” Based on her tone, she was telling the truth, which added fuel to the fire of frustration burning inside him.

“And you have no idea where this unknown person tied to your mother might be keeping Owen?”

“I don’t.” Again, she was being honest. At least, he believed so. A lot of time had passed since they’d been seventeen and in love, but he could still tell when she was emphatically telling the truth. Or was he? Had he really known her then when he hadn’t seen her exit from his life coming? He’d been blindsided in the worst way. But that had happened a long time ago. He’d grown up. Changed. Become an expert at reading people and protecting his heart.

Hurt me once, shame on you. Hurt me twice, shame on me.Old sayings held the test of time for a reason. They were true.

“Do you have the faintest idea as to where Owen might be?” He asked the question a second time, and he would keep asking until he stirred an idea. She had to have some idea, even if the knowledge was tucked in the back of her mind where it wasn’t readily available.

“I’m drawing a blank, Archer.” She shook her head. “If that changes, you’ll be the first to know.”

“I think we both know I’m not a patient person by any means,” he said. They were short on options.

She nodded and offered a small smile.

“I’ll think of a better place to go than the cabin so we can figure this out and come up with a plan.” It gave his mind something else to focus on besides Owen.

“Archer, I’m sorry for dragging your family into my mother’s mess,” she said, sounding like her battery was almost completely drained.

What the hell was he supposed to say to that?

Annalee turnedher face toward the passenger window as tears welled in her eyes. She tried to cover a sniffle with a cough. All the frustration and anger welled up with nowhere to go but out. If Archer realized she was crying, he would feel sorry for her. She didn’t want his pity. Being with him again reminded her there was still goodness and honesty in the world. The manner in which she’d been brought up by her mother had tainted Annalee’s view of people.

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