“North,” he said without looking at her. “To Canada. It’s less than an hour to the border. Once we’re there, I won’t need you anymore.”
Jennie’s heart pounded.
Dread settled into her bones.
Which meant once they were there, he would kill her.
* * *
Agent Miller was the first to arrive on scene. Max wasn’t surprised. The man had said he lived just ten miles south. The FBI agent asked for a rundown and Max told him everything that had happened.
“He’s got Jennie,” Max whispered, his throat closing up. He had no idea where Ian was taking her, but the fact that Ian had taken her couldn’t be good. Ian couldn’t know how much she’d come to mean to Max in the past few days. Max didn’t know what he’d do without her. She was a ray of sunlight filtering into his dark, cloudy life. He needed her. She’d saved his life as much as he’d saved hers.
Agent Miller nodded curtly. He texted something on his cellphone. He glanced at Emily.
“How are you feeling?” he asked gently. Emily stood to Max’s right, her arm looped through his, clinging to him. She hadn’t let go of him since he’d found her.
“I’m fine,” she whispered. “You have to save Jennie. Please.”
“I’ve already put out a BOLO. You said he was driving a dark-colored truck?”
Emily nodded. “I think it was black or maybe dark blue. Older.”
“He’s probably heading for the Canadian border. The border patrol has been notified. If he tries to cross into Canada, they’ll nab him.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Max asked. “If he heads south, then what?”
“We’ll catch him either way,” Agent Miller assured. “He won’t get far.”
Emily tightened her hand on Max’s arm. “He’s going to kill her,” she whispered, “because of me. It’s my fault he even kidnapped her in the first place. Isn’t there something we can do?”
“Every law enforcement agency in this part of the country has been notified,” Agent Miller said. “We’ll get him.”
He sounded confident. Max only wished he had as much confidence as the other man. He was scared shitless that Ian would kill Jennie before they found him.
“Wait a second,” he murmured, glancing around, looking for his dog. “Where’s Lucky?”
Emily’s eyes widened. “You brought Lucky?”
Max snorted. “He brought himself. You know Lucky. He never does behave.”
Emily’s lips twitched. It warmed Max’s heart, just a little, to see her showing that small sign of happiness. It gave him hope that she would recover from whatever Ian had done to her.
“Lucky’s just headstrong, Dad. But where could he be?”
“My guess is he went with Jennie,” Max said. “I just hope he’s smart enough not to get himself killed.”
The headlights of three vehicles approached. As they neared, Max was able to make out three sheriff’s SUV’s that barreled down the road and slid to a stop in front of Ian’s small cabin hideout.
Sheriff Sullivan was the first to embark from his vehicle. “Tell me what you’ve got,” he said to Agent Miller.
Max drew Emily aside while the men talked. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I need to go after Jennie,” he whispered, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. “And I think I know just what to do.”
He slipped his cellphone out of his pocket and typed a text to Ian.
Release Jennie and you can have me. Name the time and place and I’ll be there.
Emily read the message just before he hit “send.” Her gaze met his.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Dad? You’re the one he’s always been after. He only kidnapped me to punish you. He probably only grabbed Jennie this time because I got away. He hates you for some reason.”
“I know.” Max let out a long breath. He knew why Ian hated him. And he knew what Ian was capable of doing.
Max’s eyes grew moist with tears as he gazed down at his daughter. He had no idea what Ian had done to Emily. His heart clenched at all the horrible things he imagined. But he couldn’t bring himself to ask her what Ian had done. His heart couldn’t take it. And he couldn’t put her through that.
“That’s why I have to do this,” he said hoarsely. “Maybe I can convince him to let her go.”
Emily nodded. “Maybe…”
“No.” He put a finger against her lips. “You’re not going with me. You’re safer here.”
There was no way in hell Max was letting Emily anywhere near Ian again. He needed to get Emily to a safe place so he could go after Jennie. He needed someone to come and watch over her while he was gone.
He knew just the person to call.
The cops wouldn’t like him trying to play Rambo. Max wasn’t too keen on the idea himself, but he knew in his gut that if he was going to save Jennie, he would have to go soon and he’d have to do it alone. He would have to give himself up or Ian would kill her. It was long past time for him to confront Ian for all the things he’d done. Time to settle their issues once and for all. For Laura. For Emily. And for himself.
Max strode toward the sheriff and Agent Miller, who were still talking. The deputies had gone inside the cabin, along with the forensics team that the sheriff had brought.
“I want to take Emily home,” he said. “She’s going to need a bath, food and a warm bed. She needs a little pampering before you guys question her. I’m going to call my sister, Alissa, to come over. She lives in town. I’m sure Emily would like some female companionship for a little while. You guys can come over to the house when you’re done here. She should be ready to answer any questions then.”
The sheriff nodded, but Agent Miller’s astute gaze narrowed suspiciously on him, as if he sensed Max was up to something.
Max’s phone chimed, indicating a new text message had come in. He turned away from them and read the message.
Meet me at the Three Mile Corner Café in Bonners Ferry. 8 a.m. If you’re one minute late, I’m gone. And Jennie’s dead.
Max quickly typed his response.
I’ll be there.
Emily sidled up next to him and latched onto his arm again. “Did he answer?”
Max nodded. “Let’s go, Em. I’m taking you home.”
* * *
They only passed two vehicles on the road north. As they neared Bonner’s Ferry, Jennie noticed that Ian kept glancing down at the gas gauge. If he stopped for gas, she could try to escape. It might be her only chance. He still kept the gun pointed at her, but she could tell his injured hand, the one wrapped around the steering wheel, was hurting him. If she could knock the gun aside and jump out of the truck, she might have a chance.
Ian’s phone chimed. He glanced down at his pocket, then over at Jennie. He leaned toward her.
“Fish it out of my pocket and read the text.”
Jennie hesitated. Should she refuse?
No. It might be from Max.
She slipped the phone out of his shirt pocket and read the text.
“What does it say?” he demanded, shaking the gun at her.
“Release Jennie and you can have me. Name the time and place and I’ll be there.” Max’s message made Jennie’s chest tighten with emotion.
Ian’s eyes glazed over with what looked like anticipation.
“Perfect! Type a response for me.” He thought for a moment, then told Jennie what to say. She typed his response and hit “send.”
A few minutes later Max’s reply came in.
I’ll be there.
Ian snickered as Jennie slipped the phone back in his shirt pocket.
Max was coming. Jennie’s heart hammered. He was coming!
She was certain Ian would use her to hurt Max. She couldn’t let that happen. She would have to be prepared for anything.
Ian turned to her. “If you try anything at the Three Mile, anything at all, I’ll shoot the first person I see. Woman. Child. Baby. I don’t give fuck. Got it?”
Jennie nodded.
She believed him. She knew what he was capable of. He wouldn’t hesitate to shoot an innocent bystander, even a baby.
She couldn’t let Ian hurt anyone. And she’d rather die than let Ian hurt Max any more than he already had. She had to find a way to save Max. To prevent whatever was about to happen from happening.
“I won’t try anything,” she whispered. Not yet, anyway. But she’d be waiting. For just the right moment.
Ian glanced askance at her. The sun was rising over the mountains now, lighting the landscape around them. Jennie could see that his eyes were indeed green. Like Glenda’s. Poor Glenda. She probably had no idea what kind of a monster her son was.
“Max is so predictable. He always has to try to save everything.” Ian chuckled, the sound sending shivers down Jennie’s spine. He glanced back at the road. “He’s fallen for you, hasn’t he?”
Jennie shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. If Ian suspected Max cared for her, he’d use it against Max.
He snickered. “I knew it. What a sucker.”
Jennie’s cheeks heated. Max was definitely not a sucker. Not even close.
“He won’t be saving anything this time,” Ian went on. “Because this time I’ve got him by the balls. He’s mine to do with as I please.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Alissa answered on the second ring. Max had obviously woken her up.
“Max? What’s going on?” she sounded surprised to hear from him. Of course she was. He hadn’t talked to her for several years, not since he’d told her, and everyone else, to leave him alone.
“Sorry to call so early, Liss, but I need your help. I got Emily back. She needs someone to come look after her while I go after Ian.”
Stunned silence followed his words. “You found Emily? Oh my God, Max! What happened? How is she?”
“I’ll explain everything later. Can you come? Right now?”
“Of course. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” A moment of silence came over the line, then, “Did you say something about Ian?”
Max rubbed a hand over his face. “Yes. He’s the one who kidnapped Emily.”
Alissa’s voice raised several notches. “Ian took her? Oh. My. God!” He could hear the shock, the disbelief in her words. “Does Glenda know?”
“No. Not yet. I don’t have the heart to tell her. She’ll find out soon enough. Please hurry, Alissa. I need you. Emily needs you.”
“I’m on my way.” She disconnected the call.
Max drew in a deep breath, expelled.
Emily was soaking in the tub. When she got out, Alissa would be there to take care of her. One less thing for him to worry about.
He knew Alissa would call his father and Glenda and his other sister, Tanya. That they would all congregate at his house. That they would take care of Emily.
His heart warmed. They did care. Of course they did.
Glenda’s words from yesterday came back to him: We always believed in you, Max, even when you didn’t.
He sucked in a breath. They may not have been there for him in person while he was struggling with his addiction, trying to cope with the loss of Laura and Emily, but his family had still kept him in their hearts, in their thoughts. They’d stayed away to give him the strength and the space to deal with it on his own. They’d still been there for him, believing in him all along. He just hadn’t realized it until now.
Something that felt like peace settled into his chest, spreading throughout his body. They did care. They did love him.
And they were coming to help when he needed them most.
* * *
Alissa arrived exactly twenty-five minutes later. She pulled Max close for a fierce hug, then leaned back. “You look good, Max. Really good.” She smiled, patted his cheek. “I’m glad. Jennie must really be something special.”
Heat crept into his cheeks. Glenda must have told everyone about Jennie. “Yeah, she is.”
He couldn’t stop the smile that played at his lips. As the oldest, Alissa had babied him the most after their mother died. Sometimes she still treated him like her child.
“I called Glenda on the drive out here and told her what was going on. I didn’t have the heart to tell her about Ian either. I just told her you found Emily. She and dad will be out as soon as they can. And Tanya is flying in from Denver. Everyone’s coming.”
Max’s heart warmed. Of course they were. He never should have doubted them.
“Where’s my niece?” she asked, glancing around.
Emily stepped hesitantly into the room at that moment. She was wrapped in her favorite fleece blanket, the one with the brown horses splattered across it. Max hadn’t thrown any of Emily’s things out. Even after he’d given up hope. He was now glad he’d kept her favorite blanket. Glad he could give her the comfort and familiarity of something she’d loved before her abduction.
“Aunt Alissa?” she whispered.
“Oh come here, baby,” Alissa murmured.
Emily rushed into her arms.
Max’s heart clenched when sobs overtook Emily’s small frame. Alissa gathered her close, gently soothing her. She eyed Max over Emily’s shoulder and mouthed, “I’ve got this. Go get Jennie.”
Max nodded. He was reluctant to leave Emily, but knew she was in good hands. Alissa would mother her like she was her own. Emily would be safe. Comforted. Loved. Max trusted Alissa implicitly.
He turned toward the door, a sense of urgency slamming through him. He needed to get to Jennie before it was too late.
Max entered the garage where the 4Runner was parked. He’d left the garage door open when he and Emily had gotten home earlier because he knew he’d be leaving again to go after Jennie. As he opened the car door and prepared to climb in, a movement behind the vehicle caught his eye. He paused, glancing around the car.
Gray sat behind the 4Runner, watching him with those astute yellow eyes. She didn’t move when he approached.
“What?” he asked softly.
The wolf’s left ear twitched toward him.
Max knelt before the animal, expecting her to bolt, but she didn’t budge. He reached toward her, gently patted her head. The fact that she let him touch her without Jennie there was amazing.
“What is it girl?”
She let out a soft whine and looked at the car.
Realization dawned.
“You want to come with me?”
Max rose and opened the hatchback. He had no problem with that. If Gray wanted to help him find Jennie, he was game.
Gray eyed the open vehicle for a moment. She hobbled in a circle, then turned and leapt inside. Max was amazed at how agile she was becoming on three legs.
He closed the hatchback and headed for the driver’s seat. When he slid behind the wheel moments later, Gray’s head jutted between the front seats, her gaze fastened on the front windshield. Her tongue lolled from her mouth.
The wolf was ready.
So was he.
Max put the car in reverse and backed out of the driveway.
“Let’s go find Jennie.”
A black SUV slid to a stop beside him. Max rolled down his window. Agent Miller eyed him suspiciously.
“Where you going, Max?”
Max hesitated. He wasn’t a very good liar. “I’m going to find Jennie.”
Agent Miller raised a brow. “You know where she is?”
Max nodded. “Yeah, I sent him a text. Told him if he let her go, he could have me. He texted back and told me where to meet him.”
Agent Miller didn’t say anything for a long moment. “I’m coming with you.”
Max let out an exasperated sigh. “If he sees you, he’ll know you’re a cop. He’ll kill her.”
“He won’t see me. Not until I want him to.” Agent Miller rolled his window up. He pulled his car over to the side of the road. Max briefly entertained the idea of speeding off, but decided against it. He had a feeling the FBI agent would just follow him in his own vehicle, and Agent Miller’s SUV screamed FBI. Ian would pe
g it as soon as he saw it. He wouldn’t be willing to negotiate if he knew the cops were there.
Moments later Agent Miller slipped into the passenger seat of Max’s 4Runner. “I can’t let you go after him alone, Max.”
Gray eyed the FBI agent warily, baring her fangs in warning, but she didn’t make a sound.
Agent Miller slid toward his door, cringing away from the wolf. “Shit, you’re bringing that thing?”
Max chuckled. “I didn’t have a choice. She wants to save Jennie too.”
Agent Miller nodded, but he kept his gaze on the wolf. “Then let’s go.”
Max didn’t need any more encouragement.
He put the car in gear and stepped on the gas.
He had to hurry if he was going to make it to the Three Mile before 8 a.m. The thought of Ian harming Jennie sickened him.
Max didn’t know what he would do or say to get Ian to release Jennie. All he knew was that he would risk anything, everything, to see her safe.
* * *
Ian didn’t fill up the truck with gas when they pulled into the Three Mile like Jennie thought he would. He was probably afraid Jennie would try to escape. Instead, he pulled the truck around the side of the restaurant and parked. He pushed her back against the seat and withdrew a pair of binoculars from the glove box.
He lifted the binoculars to his eyes and scanned the horizon. He dropped them in his lap, glanced at Jennie. “Now we wait for Max.”
There weren’t very many travelers at the gas station this early in the morning. Only two vehicles were filling up with gas and three cars were parked in front the café. Jennie decided that was a good thing. The less people around for Ian to harm, the better. She had no doubt that if she did something he didn’t like, he’d shoot the first person he saw.
Or would he?
Jennie glanced at Ian out of the corner of her eye. Was he really dumb enough to kill a complete stranger in a crowded place? Or was he just using the threat to keep her in line?
Ian look at her again, his eyes full of menace. She stared back, refusing to be intimidated. They could do nothing now but sit and wait for Max.
Jennie cleared her throat. “So, why did you hurt Laura? What did she ever do to you?”
Ian’s gaze hardened as he glared at her. “To show Max that I could. To make him hate me as much as I hated him.”
Abducted (Unlikely Heroes Book 2) Page 26
