“I’m her mother, Pete,” Sally added quietly. “I need to be there.”
“I know you do.” Pete sounded resigned. “Fine. You win. But I’ll meet you at your place, not the Piersons’. That’ll give us the element of surprise. I’m flooring the gas. So tell Rod to step on it.”
“I will.” Sally fought for self-control. “Do you honestly believe Edward’s behind this?”
“He’s involved. How much, I don’t know. But I’m about to. Game over. No more bullshit. All the players are there. Edward. James. And that slimy veterinarian Edward hired. They’re all up to their necks in this. And I’ll wring every one of those necks if I have to. I’m finding our daughter.”
CHAPTER 28
Devon punched the end button on her cell phone and shifted in the passenger seat of Blake’s Jag.
“I gave Monty the information we dragged out of Larry Aymes—what little there was.” She made a frustrated sound, turning to stare out the window. “Aymes was useless.”
“Not entirely.” Blake stepped on the accelerator, speeding toward Devon’s house. “We know the kidnapper spoke only Spanish. We know he had his instructions written on a slip of paper, and that he read them to Aymes when he gave him that hundred-dollar bill.”
“Great,” Devon said grimly. “So we know our guy’s a hired hand. Did we honestly think your cousin or your grandfather would do the dirty work himself?”
“Point taken.” Blake turned onto Devon’s street. “Are you going to open up to me now?”
She tipped her head toward him. “Open up about what?”
“About whatever your father
just told you. About whatever you’ve been keeping from me.” Blake paused. “I think we’re past the point of secrets, don’t you?”
“You mean because this whole situation’s unraveling.”
“Yeah. And because I’m in love with you.”
Devon’s breath caught. She stared at Blake’s profile, feeling his declaration sink into her gut. She’d known this was happening. But she hadn’t anticipated the impact that hearing the words would have on her.
“Are you in shock?” Blake asked, still staring ahead.
“No. I’m overwhelmed, and on emotional overload. How can the most wonderful experience of my life happen during the most harrowing crisis of my life?”
A wry smile tugged at Blake’s lips. “I guess that’s how love works. We don’t get to choose the time or place.”
“Obviously not. So much for candles and moonlight.”
Blake reached over and took her hand, bringing it to his lips. “We can have those later.”
“I know.” Devon interlaced her fingers with his. “I love you, too,” she added softly.
“Enough to trust me?”
“Yes.” She was amazed at how much she meant it.
“Good. Then tell me where your mother is and how’s she holding up.”
Devon’s brows arched. “You figured it out?”
“It wasn’t hard. You and your father were much too calm for your mother to be MIA. I assume he stashed her away somewhere safe.”
“He did. But she’s not there anymore. Not with Merry kidnapped. She’s on her way home. Monty’s meeting her. Together, they’re going to confront your grandfather and company.”
Blake’s expression turned grim. “That should be quite a party.” He pulled into a parking spot and turned off the ignition. “I still can’t believe someone in my family is a killer. White collar crime, even what’s going on with Vista—all that I can envision, even if it turns my stomach. But murder? Kidnapping? Never. Never in a million years.”
Devon squeezed his hand. There was nothing she could say to make his disillusionment go away. All she could do was be there.