by Morgan James
I was angry with her for not opening up sooner. I was angry with myself for not trying harder to convince her to trust me. And I was absolutely furious with the person who had the fucking balls to take her from me in broad daylight. When I found him—and I knew with absolute certainty that it was a him—I would make the rest of his days on this earth, what few of them there may be left, absolutely miserable.
I stood there breathing hard, my chest rapidly rising and falling with each breath. The wave of rage that rose within my chest threatened to consume me. By sheer force of will, I tamped it down and scrubbed my good hand over my face. I opened my eyes and caught O’Neill standing in the doorway silently, just watching me. I was ashamed that he had seen my outburst, seen my weakness. I opened my mouth to lash out at him, but he spoke before I had the chance.
“Give me her information, and I’ll start running it through the databases. Something’s bound to turn up.”
I clenched my fists and swallowed hard, gratitude for his offer overwhelming. “We need to question everyone in town, see if they’ve seen anything. Find a witness.”
I had a feeling I knew the place to start. Since Jack had dropped me off in town, my cruiser was still at home. I stormed out of the station and settled in the extra cruiser out back. It was an older style sedan, and it felt uncomfortable as fuck. I fumbled the seat belt with my left hand, still in a splint from the hospital, and my arm got tangled in the fabric.
“Fucking son of a bitch!”
The clasp made a loud clank as it smacked off the window, and I dropped my chin to my chest, my hands going to my head. I needed to lock down my emotions, I knew it, but it was so fucking hard to separate myself from the situation. I felt fucking impotent, useless. Where the hell had Jules been while I was in the hospital? How was she holding up? Was she scared? Hurt? That made me feel even worse. I couldn’t believe I’d let my guard down. A second was all it took, and she’d been ripped from my life without a trace.
I started the cruiser and drove the six blocks back into town and parked in front of Rosie’s Café.
“Lordy be!” Rosie’s honeyed voice called out as I walked through the front door. “We heard you were in an accident. Sit down, Sheriff, and relax.”
I waved her off and approached the counter that separated the dining area from the kitchen. “Thank you, ma’am, but I just stopped in to ask a couple questions.”
Her expression turned teasing, and she winked. “You want me to make your favorite chicken for the wedding?”
A jolt shot through me, and my heart twisted in pain. Over twenty-four hours had passed already. Would there even be a wedding?
No. I wouldn’t let myself think like that. I had to find her and bring her home where she belonged. She meant everything to me, and I couldn’t imagine life without her.
“No, ma’am. I, uh...” Emotion rose up, threatening to choke me. “I need to ask you something.”
Immediately her mirth vanished, replaced with concern. “What’s wrong?”
Only everything. “Did you happen to see anyone strange come through town yesterday?”
She looked contemplative for a moment. “We had a family stop in for breakfast, said they were headed up to the resort.”
Fuck. “I’m looking for a loner. Dark hair, dark eyes. Could’ve been with someone else, probably another man.”
“No one like that.” She eyed me speculatively. “What happened?”
I aimed my stare over her shoulder, unable to meet her eyes. “When Jules and I left here yesterday morning, someone ran the stop sign at the intersection of I-93. The impact knocked me out, and when I woke up... Jules was gone.”
Rosie was quiet so long that I finally dropped my gaze to meet hers. There was something so fierce, so intent there, I couldn’t make out exactly what it was.
“We’ll find her,” Rosie said firmly. “Whatever you need, Sheriff, you let me know. I’ll let everyone know to contact you if they’ve seen anything.”
“Thanks, Rosie.”
She nodded perfunctorily. “People don’t just disappear. We’ll find her,” she reiterated.
I offered a small smile I didn’t feel, then turned and trudged out the door. It was nothing I hadn’t expected. If someone had put that much effort into kidnapping Jules, I was sure he’d taken care to conceal himself until he was ready to make his move. I needed to get up to Briarleigh to see if anyone Jules worked with had heard or seen anything.
Ten minutes later, I walked in the side door, despair tugging at me. I stopped by Jack’s office first. He’d dropped me off at the station a couple hours ago and told me he’d be here if I needed anything.
I paused in the open doorway when I heard voices. One I recognized as Jack’s; the other belonged to Mia. Their heads snapped toward me, and my gaze collided with Mia’s. She looked distraught, her eyes red as if she’d been crying.
“I’m so sorry, I never thought...” Her hand fluttered to her mouth, and Jack looped one arm around her shoulders.
I tried to smile but failed. “It’s not your fault.”
I knew from Jack that they’d been in Spokane with their lawyer the day before Jules had disappeared. Yesterday was Jules’s day off, so Mia had no reason to check in on her.
“Would you mind if I questioned some of the employees, see if they noticed anything?”
“Of course.” Jack nodded. “Check with Jenn first. She leaves in about an hour, and I don’t want you to miss her. She’s in the pro shop.”
“Thanks.”
I meandered that direction and waited not-so-patiently off to the side while the young brunette finished up with a customer. She offered me a worried smile as I stepped up to the counter. “Can I help you?”
I introduced myself, then launched into my reason for being there. “I’m investigating a disappearance.” I almost choked on the words, unable to believe I had to say them. Fuck, this was the hardest thing I’d ever had to do. I swallowed hard and continued. “Jules has been missing for twenty-four hours, and we suspect she may not have left on her own.”
Jenn’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, my God! I—I...” She stuttered and trailed off, looking disturbed.
I couldn’t bear to see the worry and pity evident in everyone’s eyes, so I did what I’d done for years: I pushed it down, pretended it wasn’t there, and focused on the job at hand. I poised my pen over the notebook in my hand. “Was she involved in any recent altercations that you’re aware of?”
“N-no. Everyone loved her.”
Jenn’s voice trembled, and I took pity on her. “I believe the man who took her had dark hair and eyes. Have you seen anyone like that?”
She shook her head. “During the week it’s pretty slow still. No one has come in here, and I don’t remember seeing her with anyone except Tony.”
I remembered the man; he was the supervisor she and Mia were working with for the spa. “If you think of anything else, please let me know.”
I handed her a card and left, then stopped to speak with several more employees. Two hours later, I had exactly nothing to show for my time and effort. No one had seen a man matching the suspect’s description, nor had they heard of her being involved in any kind of disagreement. It was just as Jenn had said; everyone loved Jules and watched out for her.
I stopped by Jack’s office, and he retrieved a copy of her office key for me. I entered and glanced around the nearly bare space. Though there were a few papers scattered over the desk, I found nothing in any of the drawers or cupboards. I sifted through the files on her computer, but nothing jumped out at me. I locked up her office as I left, and worry came back full-force as I exited into the dark, cold evening air. It was literally as if she’d disappeared without a trace.
She’d never told me her full name or where she’d come from, and the knowledge that I might not be able to find her finally started to sink in. After all, how the hell did one go about finding a ghost?
Thirteen
Giuliana
&nb
sp; A hard knock came from my bedroom door, and I turned as it swung open.
“Your uncle would like to see you.”
I scanned Johnny’s face before glancing at the man next to him. I’d never seen him before. My gaze jumped back to Johnny, and I jerked my chin at the new guy. “Where’s Tommy?”
For as long as I’d been with my uncle, Johnny and Tommy had been assigned to watch over me. I wasn’t sure how long they’d been with Uncle Massimo, exactly, but I figured it wasn’t terribly long. Glorified babysitting was a position low on the totem pole with little responsibility.
“Gone,” he responded.
His response was abrupt. Gone? I knew what that meant, but... “How?”
“Nikolai,” he spat.
I knew things with the Russians had not gone well since I’d run away, but it was almost a blow to the heart to know we lost someone I knew so well. He wasn’t a good man, but he was part of the family and I couldn’t help but mourn his loss. I focused on Johnny again as he turned slightly, and my eyes narrowed as I studied him.
In the light, a fresh scar cut across his cheek, and my heart jumped into my throat. It was a knife wound—I knew it from the shape. I swallowed hard at the sight of the thin, raised red line that ran from his temple to his jaw, unable to tear my eyes away. He’d been punished for my leaving, and guilt sat heavily in my stomach. He’d been marked for everyone to see, and it was my fault. I thanked God my uncle had shown him some mercy at least, because Massimo could easily have cleaved off a hand or killed him.
Johnny must have seen the remorse in my eyes, because he gave his head a little shake. I pressed my lips together to stem my apology, though tears burned the backs of my eyes as I averted my gaze.
Knowing that it wouldn’t do me any good to fight with them, I stood and they flanked me as we fell into step on the way to my uncle’s office. Johnny knocked on the door, and Uncle Massimo’s response came a moment later, swift and abrupt.
“Enter.”
Johnny turned the knob and opened the door, allowing me to enter, then immediately closed it again. I regarded my uncle, who had yet to acknowledge me. The sight of him sent loathing, hot and furious, streaming through my blood. I hated him for what he’d done. I wouldn’t go down without a fight. I’d escaped once; I would do it again. He would surely be expecting me to try something, so I had to be on guard and choose precisely the right moment. I knew that, even though la famiglia had lost several men, surveillance around the house had been tightened. No one would get in or out without his knowledge, and I knew he wouldn’t be stupid enough to let me go outside without a valid excuse. I needed to come up with a plan and quick. I knew that Eric would be looking for me, but he didn’t even know my real name. How would he ever find me?
“Sit.” My uncle nodded to the chair on the opposite side of the desk.
Swallowing down the retort on my tongue, I placidly approached and sank down onto the edge of the leather chair. Like the good little doll I was supposed to be, I folded my hands in my lap, the picture of propriety. My uncle’s gaze dropped to my hands, and he lifted one brow. I knew exactly what he was thinking. During my three years of captivity with him, anxiety had caused me to pick and bite at my nails, sometimes until they were ragged and bloody. Now they were long and smooth and healthy, a result of my time spent with Eric, where I’d felt safe and comfortable.
His frigid gaze swept over my body before meeting mine. “You gained weight.”
His voice was rife with derision and disapproval, and I notched my chin up. It was true—I’d gained almost ten pounds since living in Pine Ridge. While my weight hadn’t been healthy before, my body now felt softer and more rounded, with curves instead of angles. Uncle had practically starved me in order to achieve what he deemed perfection; in his eyes, along with my virtue, it would have made me the perfect bride. Too bad I’d ruined his plans on that score. I fought to keep the smirk from forming on my lips but lost the battle.
His lip curled in disgust when I refused to rise to his bait. “Disgusting. See if you can find something that will fit.”
“For what purpose?”
He took in my challenging tone and blinked once, hard. “We are going to dinner.”
I had no desire to eat, too stressed out to even contemplate it. “No, thank you.”
Sparks of fire shot through his eyes. “It wasn’t a request.”
“I don’t care if it was a request or not. I’m not going.”
Uncle slowly uncoiled from his chair, his dark eyes never leaving mine. “You should care very much what happens next. No one will save you now.”
God, I loathed him so much. Anger made me bold, and I glared at him. “He’ll find me.”
A cold smile lifted my uncle’s lips. “I wouldn’t count on that.”
Ice sluiced through my veins as fear seized my heart. “Why?”
Uncle waved a hand dismissively. “You don’t have to worry about your cop anymore.”
“What did you do?” I whispered.
He stared at me, those cold, dark eyes unblinking. “You know how much I despise loose ends.”
“No.” My fingers curled into the arm of the chair, and I shook my head, unwilling to fathom never seen Eric again. It couldn’t be true; it just couldn’t. “You didn’t.”
My uncle ignored my words and glanced at his watch before sinking back down into his chair. “You have one hour to be ready.”
I shot from my chair and leaned over the desk, my palms splayed over the cool wood. “Tell me!” I screamed. “I want the truth! Tell me, damn it!”
My uncle’s hand shot out and wrapped around my throat, cutting off my hysterical screams. “You want the truth?” His fingers tightened as he glared at me. Papers scattered, and something fell to the floor with a crash as he dragged me across the desk. “He’s right where he belongs. Just like your father.”
I clawed at him, kicking, biting, trying to tear the skin from his body for what he’d done. He threw me to the side, and I hit the floor hard, the impact making my teeth clack together and sending a shooting pain through my skull. One hand fisted in my hair, and I fought to get my feet under me for leverage as he pulled me across the room. I screamed at the sting of pain exploding across my scalp, but I continued to fight as hard as I could. The closet came into view, and I let out an ear-shattering shriek as he shoved me toward it.
No. I wouldn’t spend one more second in that awful place. I braced myself against the doorjamb, and I felt the bones in my arms flex as he put more pressure on them. Another howl of pain ripped from my throat, and I pulled them in just in time to keep them from breaking. I landed hard on the floor of the closet, my arm twisted beneath me at an awkward angle, and he slammed the door behind me.
Pushing down the agony shooting through my body, I clambered to my feet and pounded on the door. “I hate you! You won’t get away with this!”
A cold laugh filled the air, muted by the thick wood separating us. “I already have.”
I backed up and step and kicked at the door. It rattled but didn’t splinter, and I grunted with frustration. Backing up as far as I could, I took two running steps and threw my entire weight against the door. It didn’t move.
I grasped the handle and shook, but the solid wood held steady. Tears of rage filled my eyes, and I screamed, long and loud.
A sharp retort filled the air, immediately followed by the sound of a bullet striking wood. What the hell? Rendered motionless with shock, I lifted my chin and stared in horror at the small pinhole of light coming through the door. Holy shit. Someone was shooting at the door!
Another shot followed the first, a second circle of light appearing a few inches above my head, and I sucked in a breath, unable to scream. I threw myself to the floor and curled up in a ball, trying to make myself as small as possible. Clenching my eyes closed, I covered my head and prayed for it to stop. Fear snaked through me, stealing my composure, and I felt my bladder release. My pulse thrummed in my ears and my lungs he
aved with shallow breaths, threatening to make me hyperventilate. Fifteen rounds later, silence reigned. My ears still rang from the sound of the staccato blasts, but I forced myself to open my eyes. The vibration of heavy footsteps striking the hardwood floor rolled through my body as they neared the closet.
My uncle wrenched open the door and stared at me, his expression a picture of disgust as he took in my position on the floor. Still unable to get a full breath, I couldn’t cry out, couldn’t scream as he curled his fingers into the material of my shirt and dragged me out. I saw another figure in the room, and hope filled me as I recognized my cousin. My arms flailed out in an attempt to catch myself as Uncle Massimo deposited me at Matteo’s feet.
“You beg for her life?” My uncle sneered at me, though his words were directed at Matteo. “This worthless, vile excuse for a human being?”
Silently, Matteo extended one hand and helped me to stand. He opened his mouth to speak, then slammed it closed again, and I could practically feel the disappointment rolling off of him. Tears stained my cheeks and the scent of urine clung to me as he led me down the hall and back to my room.
He paused in the doorway but released me and gestured with his chin for me to go inside. “Shower and get dressed.”
“Matteo—”
The rest of my words were cut off by a hard shake of his head. “Go.”
Tears burned my eyes as I started to close the door, but his hand shot out and stopped its progress. My startled gaze jumped to his, then over his shoulder to Johnny as he took up guard by my room. His dark eyes watched me intently as Matteo stepped back into the hallway.
“It stays open. Bring her down when she’s done.”
Johnny tipped his head without looking away from me. “Yes, sir.”
My chin trembled, but I refused to cry. I spun on a heel and made my way toward the bathroom. Johnny hovered just inside the doorway to the bedroom, and I wondered if I’d have time to slam and lock the bathroom door before he made it across the room.
My gaze slid to his and, as if reading my mind, he gave a slow shake of his head. “It will only make it worse.”