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When he arrived, he could hear chatter inside. He punched in the code and pushed the door open. The room went silent. Good girls. All seemed to be in order.

Then his eyes rested on Vanessa. He’d forgotten all about her. Warden hadn’t been around to take care of her, so he’d have to handle her punishment himself. He walked over and held out his hand. She placed her own inside it, and he helped her to his feet. “Let’s go.”

“Where are you taking me?”

“I haven’t decided yet, but I’m considering the root cellar.”

“Please don’t make me go down there. I’ll do anything.”

He silenced her with a kiss on the lips. “You had every opportunity to please me, love. You failed. Come along now.”

Whatever he decided to do with her would need to be done quickly. The bunker would be fine, but she could talk to the Garrisons, and he didn’t love that plan. Not that any of them could do any harm while locked inside there. Nah. The root cellar was the greater punishment. She’d detest having rats running around down there with her. It would serve her right for holding a gun on him. He led the way out the rear door and took her over by the corn crib then lifted the hatch that led into the root cellar. “Here you go, love.” He kissed her again and breathed in her sweet scent. Then drew her close in a warm hug. “I’ll miss you, love. Be careful climbing in—I wouldn’t want you harmed.”

Chapter Forty-Four

Samanthahidbehindthecorn crib, heart racing while she watched in horror as Mason showed a woman affection before forcing her into an opening in the ground. Likely an old root cellar. She motioned for Jenna and Grace to stay where they were. When Mason was gone, they’d set the girl free.

Jenna stumbled, and Mason’s head snapped around. “Whose out here?”

Sam’s eyes widened, and she silently urged Jenna and Grace to stay put. Taking a deep breath, she stepped from the shadows. “It’s me, Sam.”

“Sam is a boy’s name. Your parents named you Samantha.”

She laughed. “You can’t possibly think that your opinion matters to me.”

“It will, my dear. It will. I’ve been wondering where you’d gotten off to. I figured your over-developed conscience wouldn’t allow you to leave the property without first rescuing the Garrison girl.”

“Not just her. All of them.”

“A park ranger with a hero complex.” He snickered. “I guess Vanessa told you about the rest of the ladies. Another reason why she’ll be spending a few weeks in the root cellar. Would you care to join her down there?”

“She won’t be remaining in there.”

Mason grinned. “You planning on letting her out?” He reached for his gun. “This I’d like to see.” A chorus of coyotes punctuated his words, then a shot split the night, and she jumped back.

“Did I do that?” Mason asked with a smile. “Let’s see if I can improve my aim with the next shot.”

Sam saw movement off to her right, and knew with a fair degree of certainty that Jenna and Grace planned to come to her rescue. She couldn’t let that happen. If he saw either of them he’d shoot them. He was toying with her. She didn’t think he’d actually shoot her, but if he did at least the others would have a chance to be rescued. She’d play Mason’s game. Let him think she was cooperating. She lifted her hands into the air. “You don’t need to shoot me. I’ll cooperate.”

“Mr. Kennedy. You have not earned the right to use my first name.”

“Okay. Mr. Kennedy it is. Let’s talk about this. I’m sure we can reach some sort of understanding.”

“You were offered an excellent choice. I gave you the opportunity to have a nice family life, but instead you chose defiance.”

Time slowed. Sam’s mind raced. Would he kill her? She was afraid he might, and she was okay with it. There was nothing more honorable than giving your life for others, but knew the guilt would eat Gavin alive if he were unable to save her. And the last thing she wanted was to hurt him more than she already had when she’d pushed him away.

Mason steadied the gun and aimed it at her chest. “It’s too late for you. You’re no good to anyone.”

“Au contraire.” A deep voice spoke the words from nearby, and her heart jumped in her chest.

She closed her eyes and begged the Lord not to allow Mason to shoot Gavin. “Don’t Gavin. Stay back.”

“I can’t do that, Sam.”

“Please don’t get yourself killed.”

“You should listen to the lady, Garrison.” Mason swung the pistol toward Gavin. Lifting another prayer that she wasn’t making a mistake, Sam seized the opportunity and lunged at Mason knocking him to the ground. The gun skittered out of his reach.