My blood turned to ice. "It's a trap."
"Gideon and Walker are already enroute," Eric confirmed. "ETA eleven minutes."
I checked the GPS. I was still fourteen minutes out, even driving like a maniac.
I pushed the SUV faster, weaving through traffic with single-minded focus. Every second felt like an eternity, my mind racing through worst-case scenarios. Had Emily's mother knowingly led her into danger? Or was Vivienne herself being used as bait?
"Gideon's on scene," Eric reported just as I turned a corner, the cafe in sight. "No sign of Emily or Vivienne. The café staff says a woman matching Emily's description arrived about seven minutes ago, spoke briefly with an older woman, and then both left together in a black sedan. Her mother's car."
"Goddammit!" I slammed my palm against the steering wheel. "Did anyone follow them?"
"Negative. I'm checking traffic cameras now."
I pulled up outside the café with a screech of tires, barely remembering to put the vehicle in park before leaping out. Gideon met me at the entrance, his expression grim, just as Walker's car peeled away.
"We're too late," he confirmed. "But we have the direction they went," Gideon continued, already guiding me back toward my SUV. "East on Fifth, then north on Maple. Eric's tracking traffic cameras, but they're moving quickly."
"What else did the staff say?" I demanded, sliding behind the wheel as Gideon took the passenger seat.
"The older woman—Vivienne—was already seated when Emily arrived. She appeared agitated, kept looking over her shoulder.When Emily sat down, Vivienne immediately stood up, said something that made Emily's face go white, and then they both left. No drinks ordered, no conversation."
"A setup," I growled, pulling back into traffic and following Gideon's directions. "Her own mother."
"We don't know that for certain," Gideon cautioned, though his tone suggested he believed it too. "Vivienne could be under duress herself."
My earpiece crackled. "I've got them," Eric's voice came through. "Black Lexus sedan, turning onto Riverside Drive toward the warehouse district."
"Send coordinates," I ordered, pushing the SUV faster.
"Already did. And Dion? There's another vehicle following them. Dark SUV, tinted windows."
My hands tightened on the wheel. "How many inside?"
"I can only see the front. Two at a minimum."
"I'm betting Rice's people," Gideon said grimly. "Making sure they go where they've been told."
I floored the accelerator, the SUV's engine roaring as we raced through the industrial district. The familiar weight of my sidearm pressed against my ribs, but it felt inadequate against the crushing fear that Emily was walking into a trap I couldn't protect her from.
"Eric, any word on the Bennett house?" I barked into my earpiece.
"Still monitoring. Three vehicles remain on site, but no movement." His voice was tight with concentration. "Maddox is maintaining visual on Zoe."
At least one child was still safe. But Emily—Christ, Emily was out there because she'd been angry at me for trying to protect her. Because I'd handled our argument like a commanding officer instead of a partner. No, like aDaddy.
It was like a punch to the gut. I’d been a Daddy with her. Or the type of Daddy that I was. I didn’t give a shit if she didn’t want pacifiers. The changing table could be thrown in the firepit for all I cared, but I would never be able to alter who I was.
Someone she couldn’t have made any clearer she didn’t want.
She'd put herself in danger because she didn'ttrustme.
We would never work and deep down I should have known. There was no way anyone as precious as Emily would put her trust in a killer. Because, after all, that’s what I was. I almost felt the tear as my heart cracked.
I’d make sure she was safe and then I wouldn’t see her again.
"Turn left here," Gideon directed, his own phone pressed to his ear. "Walker's got eyes on the Lexus. They've stopped at the old Morrison warehouse complex."
I knew the area—abandoned industrial buildings that had been slated for demolition for years. Perfect place for someone to disappear.
