Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 105921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
"Let the woman go," the new arrival ordered in a voice as cold and impenetrable as steel. He was almost identical to his partner except slightly smaller, with lighter hair.
The arm around my neck loosened as the new guys closed the distance between us. The second the arm had enough slack, I twisted and ducked, moving straight for Tenn.
The one with the taser kept his eyes on the Learys. "Out. All three of you. Now."
I didn't even consider arguing. Tenn shoved Elliott at the Learys and the two new guys. He reached down to haul Thatcher to his feet, and we took off out the door. Grabbing Thatcher's hand in mine, I tugged him down the walkway toward the corner of the building and our SUV.
Despite the danger only steps away, I held Thatcher's hand, his strong fingers gripping mine. My baby. A tight band around my chest began to ease.
Tenn sprinted at Thatcher's side, trying to cover our rear and check ahead. An impossible job, especially with how fast we were running. Skidding around the corner past the dumpster, we came to a sudden halt at the sight of a stranger dressed exactly like the two other guys, leaning against the driver's side of our SUV.
Chapter Thirty-Four
SCARLETT
The driver's door was open behind the stranger, the engine running. How? I didn't have time to ask.
"Tenn, Scarlett, and Thatcher?" None of us responded. He tried again. "Cooper Sinclair sent us. Hawk and Griffen said you could use a little help. Assuming you're Tennessee, Scarlett, and Thatcher."
"We are," Tenn confirmed.
"Then get in the car. We have to get on the road ASAP." When Tenn made a move to the driver's door, the stranger slid in ahead of him. "I'm driving. Get in."
Thatcher and I climbed in the back, Tenn in the front passenger seat. With a terse, "Buckle up," the stranger threw the SUV into reverse, and we skidded out from behind the dumpster and rocketed across the parking lot. I lurched forward, then slammed back into the seat, catching sight of Elliott as he dashed to his car and dove into the driver's seat.
I didn't see if he got away or what happened to anyone else, our vehicle already swinging out onto the main road. No one spoke until the driver merged onto the highway, reversing the trip Tenn and I had taken to the motel.
Eyes everywhere—on the rearview, side mirrors, the road ahead—the stranger broke the tense silence. "Kane Black. I used to work with Griffen and Hawk at Sinclair Security. Griffen called in a favor."
"I thought he said you guys were all tied up," Tenn said.
Kane took his eyes from the road to send Tenn a worryingly sympathetic glance. "We are. It was just good luck our job had a hitch and we were on standby only a few hours away. I'm going to drive you as far as Knoxville, then meet back up with the rest of the team and we'll head to Memphis."
"Did Griffen know the Learys would be there? Is that why he called in the favor?" I asked, reaching out to take Thatcher's hand. He squeezed back so tightly my fingers ached. It was the best ache in the world. I glanced at him to see wide eyes in a pale face. You okay? I mouthed. All I got was a stiff nod. My eyes filled with tears of relief.
"No," Kane said, answering my question. "More good luck for you. Looks like you were due for some. The whole Leary crew is trouble. Griffen called because—" He paused and cleared his throat. "He said to tell you that you were wrong about the dates. You don't have forty-eight hours. You have a little over six."
"Shit."
That about summed it up. If everything went perfectly, the trip back to Heartstone Manor should take around five hours. If everything went perfectly. That meant no bad weather. No traffic. No flat tires or other emergencies. The margin was way too tight for comfort.
Kane's phone rang and he put it to his ear. "Status," he barked. I heard a voice but couldn't distinguish anything. After a minute, he hung up. "Learys are temporarily out of commission. Hall got away."
Thatcher slumped in relief. "My dad's okay?" he croaked, his voice rough as if he hadn't spoken in years.
Kane met Thatcher's eyes in the rearview mirror. "He got away. That's a good start. Whatever he has going on with the Learys, it's not over, but I can promise you this: he's a lot safer on his own. Now that the Learys know about you and your mom, the best place you can be is with Tenn and his family."
"You're sure he's safer on his own?" My heart broke at Thatcher's desperation. He wanted to help his dad, but he was terrified. Rightfully. Elliott had almost gotten us all killed. I wasn't going to imagine what would have happened to me or Thatcher if they'd been able to use us as leverage. Every image that popped into my head was too terrifying to dwell on.