Brick’s knee bouncedrapidly.His pulse pounded against his temples.A constricting ache in his chest warned him he needed to chill the fuck out and breathe, but that wasn’t going to happen.The sun had just fallen below the horizon, and the sky held only a hint of light.
“Almost there,” Taschen said.“Another mile or two.”
Brick’s phone beeped.A text from Zain.He opened it to see a picture of Bray with a huge toothy smile.In the background was an enormous red indoor slide.Underneath the picture was a message:Just about broke my fucking back on that slide.Hope you’re happy.
Brick warmed.Emotion rushed to his eyes, but he blinked away the moisture.Bray appeared to be at ease and having fun with Zain and Ellie, but that could change in a heartbeat.What he and Taschen discovered when they located Natalie’s device would forever change the trajectory of Bray’s life—for better or worse.
Taschen turned onto a gravel road.Tree branches scratched the sides of the SUV.The headlights illuminated their path through the woods.The sight of the maroon sedan made his pulse skitter against his skin.“There,” he cried, pointing.
“I see it.”Taschen accelerated, then stopped a few feet from the bumper of the car.“There’s a flashlight in the back.”
Brick reached into the back seat and pulled the slim device from Taschen’s bag.He jumped out, gun in hand, and stormed toward the car.His internal scope of knowing told him it was vacant, but he needed to fucking see.
He shined the light inside.Taschen did the same with another flashlight.
“Empty,” Taschen said, as he cracked open the driver’s-side door.
Brick went to the trunk.“Pop it.”
The lock disengaged.Brick swung open the lid.Nothing but musty air greeted him.
Fuck.
He rummaged inside, checking the internal pockets.Then he lifted the floor covering.There it was.Natalie’s phone.He scooped it up and felt farther away from her than ever.
Sadness split open his chest.Goddammit, he hadn’t expected to find her with the car.But Christ, he’d hoped Keetan had chickened out and left her behind.
Taschen clapped a hand on his shoulder and aimed his flashlight at a break in the trees.“I’m gonna bet they went this way.It’s the only clear path other than the road.”
Brick shoved Natalie’s phone in his back pocket.“Let’s move.”
They raked their way through the woods, moving swiftly and quietly.Animals skittered and creatures croaked, but no sounds alerted him that Natalie was close.
He searched the leaves and dirt for signs of struggle.Nothing.Just as he was beginning to feel they were heading in the wrong direction, Taschen stopped.
“Check this.”Taschen knelt and pointed out a mark in the dirt about the width of a shoe.
Brick touched the disturbed earth.It was damp.“It’s a fresh marking.”
“We’re on the right track.Let’s keep going.”
Brick stood and took the lead.A few minutes later, the gentle lapping of water reached his ears.He broke through a wall of branches and his feet hit sand.
Fear cinched his spine.He scanned the stretch of beach and the vast lake.
Taschen muttered a curse.
Brick walked toward the dock and stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of footprints.He clenched his jaw and gripped his rifle.“He took her on a boat.”He lifted his chin to study the dark water, but it was impossible to see more than twenty feet ahead.
“Well, fuck.”
“We need a boat.”Even as he said the words, doubt spread through him, blotting out the hope of finding Natalie alive.
Taschen nodded.“The coast guard’s gotta be out here.Probably the local department.Gimme a minute.”He pulled out his phone.
Brick paced the shoreline.A small peninsula stuck out.From his position, it was impossible to see what was on the other side.
He ran to the strip of land and hopped over the grass.About fifty feet away was a private dock.Beside it, a boat bobbed on the water.He turned to Taschen and whistled, waving his flashlight.
