“I’m really sorry but I had nothing to do with any of that. Your boyfriend kidnapped me.”
“Yes, that was a mistake. I don’t know why he took you. You look nothing like his precious Laken. Not like all those other girls did. Sluts.”
“Wait. Do you mean you knew what he was doing?”
“Of course, I knew. Who do you think helped him find all those girls? We were made for each other. He had needs I could help him fulfil and, in turn, he took care of me. And you took him from me.”
“He kidnapped and terrorized me, and it’s my fault?” The bitch was delusional.
“And you’re going to pay,” she continued as if she hadn’t heard Savannah at all. “Come, we’re leaving.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Savannah stated.
“Yes, you are.” She waved the gun.
Savannah’s mouth went dry as she stared at the other woman. A horse cried out.
“I need to call for help, the horses—”
The other woman smiled. It wasn’t a pretty smile.
“You set the fire?” Savannah whispered. Maybe if she kept the other woman talking, Logan would eventually come back inside. Except he had his hands full with the horses.
Sweet Jesus, help me.
“Of course I set the fire, I had to get rid of that big ape of yours. While he’s busy in front, we’re going out the back.”
Her breath came in fast pants. “I can’t go outside.”
“You’ll go outside, or I’ll shoot you.”
Savannah spun, her hand connecting with some papers on the desk, sending them flying.
“Get. Moving.” The other woman stepped forward and pushed the barrel of the gun between her shoulder blades.
Oh, God. Oh, God.
As they got closer to the back door, her heartrate increased, sweat beaded on her forehead, and she went hot then cold.
“Open the door. Open it.”
The other woman’s voice barely penetrated the haze of panic surrounding her. She watched, almost as though she were separated from her own body, as her hand reached out and opened the door. Blackness circled her vision. She couldn’t catch her breath. She couldn’t . . . she couldn’t . . .
Max yawned as he drove down the dirt road leading home. He probably should have spent the night at one of the airport motels and headed home in the morning. Then he could have had someone pick him up rather than renting a car, but he was too eager to get home and see Savannah. Damn, he missed her.
Travis had offered him another job already, but he’d turned it down, telling the other man he wouldn’t be taking any more.
As he turned into the long driveway, he frowned as he saw a car pulled over, nearly in the ditch. What the hell was someone doing parked out here? He pulled over and got out, and that’s when he smelled it. Smoke. He quickly checked the car. It was locked with no one inside. Jumping back into his car he raced towards the house.
Panic filled him, his heart racing as he saw the smoke billowing up in the sky. As he drew closer, he could see the barn and stables were both on fire. He parked and jumped out.
“Logan! Savannah!” He raced towards the stables as a terrified horse raced out. Logan stumbled out behind the horse.
“Logan!” Max ran to his brother as Logan leaned over, coughing. “Are you okay? Where’s the fire department?”
“Damned if I know.” Logan glanced up then ran his hand over his streaming eyes. His face was covered with soot.
“Fuck! Your hands! They’re burned.” Max reached for Logan’s wrists, turning his hands over.