Page 35 of Captive at Rescue Ridge

Except a little chink in her armor burst, creating a small opening. Could she let Archer in?

13

Archer didn’t care what Travis said. He was going to the site where his brother was being held captive. No, he wouldn’t do anything fool-hearted like go running in the woods like a bull through a China shop. He would use common sense and his knowledge of the area to his advantage.

Beau was already heading toward the door with Hudson beside him.

“Tell us where to meet up, or do you want us to follow you?” Hudson asked Archer.

“Wait,” Travis said. “Let’s all settle down for a minute so we can come up with a plan.”

“We’ve wasted enough time.” Archer couldn’t disagree more. He had no idea how much time Owen and Becca had left. Just because they were alive right now didn’t mean the situation couldn’t turn on a dime. The other possibility was the picture had been manipulated.

“Should I ask about the drop?” Annalee tugged at his arm. “Keep communicating. Because I’m afraid it might seem weird if I go dark now.”

“Can you go ahead and like the message?” Archer asked.

“I can do that.”

She did. “Now what?”

“We can talk about it in the truck.”

“Is there anything I can say to make you guys wait a few minutes?” Travis asked.

“Can you guarantee waiting will save Owen and Becca’s lives?” There was no other reason Archer would consider sticking around another minute.

“You know that I can’t.” Travis sounded resigned. “Except that I care about what happens to Owen and Becca, too. I might not know Annalee’s mother personally, but Owen is my brother-in-law.” Travis walked over and stood directly in front of the door. “The last thing I want is to let Chloe or any of you down, least of all Owen. One thing is certain. If we work together, we have a better chance of getting those two out alive.”

“Then, follow us. Be part of it.”

“I made an oath and have to follow through proper channels.”

“I don’t have a problem with that.” As long as they didn’t cost lives, Archer would prefer to ensure the people responsible spent the rest of their lives behind bars in addition to getting his family back in one piece, alive. “The barn is on private property, and you have our full permission to investigate the case as needed. You’re welcome to scour the land and any buildings there. Is that what you need to move forward? Because I can get the entire family to consent if you need to hear the words from us individually.”

“I stand with Archer,” Beau said. “I give permission.”

“Same here,” Hudson chimed in. “I give full permission.”

“That’s good enough for me,” Travis finally said, looking resigned to work with them instead of against them or allowing them to go by themselves. “Let’s go get Owen and Becca back safely.”

After a two-minute deliberation about where on the farm road to meet so the suspect didn’t hear their vehicles pulling up, everyone scattered like buckshot to their vehicles. Travis said he would update Chloe on the way over, and that she could bring Kade up to speed.

Archer helped Annalee into the passenger seat of Kade’s truck. He immediately came around the front and claimed the driver’s side.

Hold on. Should he walk Annalee straight into the mouth of the beast?

“I can drop you off at the main house,” he said to her as he backed out of the parking spot. “That way you’ll be safe while we go after the bastard.”

“No way, Archer. I need to go as much as you do.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought you, of all people, would understand that I couldn’t walk away right now if I wanted to. To be clear, I don’t want to.”

“I only made the suggestion to give you an out,” he said. “The last thing I want is for you to walk into danger or have something happen to you.”

If luck was on their side, they would wrap up this case in a matter of an hour or less and bring everyone home safely. Could he have a conversation with her afterward about where they should go from here? Did she want to have next steps with him? Or had she been caught up in old times when they’d kissed? Because he’d been damn certain she’d felt every bit of the electricity pinging between them, heating the room better than a stove.

All this time, he’d been holding out for the real deal. What if he’d found it at seventeen?

“Life never issues guarantees, Archer.”

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