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“How can I help you, Tito?” Again, he sipped his drink. In the background, a Debussy song played over the speakers. And just outside the dark window, the pool light once again glowed as it changed colors.

“I got your message,” Tito said. “Loud and clear.”

“Oh, that?” Allen waved him off. “I was frustrated.”

“You were serious.”

“I was upset. But rest assured, all is well. Have you found anything new?” He offered a smile. One that probably worked well on his clients. But it didn’t faze Tito, who remained standing in silence.

“Her car,” Tito finally said. “It’s been impounded.”

“Impounded?” Allen placed both feet on the floor and leaned forward.

“It was found burned out. In the desert. She wasn’t with it.”

Red heat rushed to Allen’s face. “She burned her car? Where?” he asked.

“North. Just off I-17.”

“Anything else?”

“No.”

Allen stood and downed the rest of his drink. “I take it the police couldn’t find her?” No, they couldn’t have. His contact there would’ve notified him.

“No one knows where she is.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll remedy that situation, won’t you, big guy?”

Tito held out his drink. He didn’t want it. Allen walked to him and took it.

“My name is Tito.”

Allen backed away. “Right. Of course it is.”

Tito turned and headed toward the door. Allen followed him, hurriedly speaking. “Let me know when you get something.”

Tito stopped as he pulled open the door. “You will hear from me when I’m ready.”

Allen laughed again with nerves. “Sure. Okay. Have a nice evening.”

Tito gave him a look over his shoulder as he angled past the two women waiting at the door. “Yeah,” was all he said.

Chapter Twenty-three

Vaughn ran down the stable to Miracle’s stall but found it empty. Heart racing, she turned and bolted back to the stable entrance, running out into the overcast sky, searching the corral and the pasture for her mare. There, as thunder boomed overhead and lightning charged the air around her, she saw Miracle galloping toward her with a rider on her back. Vaughn hurried closer, trying to make out who the rider was, and as Miracle drew closer, she saw that the rider was Natalie, her short black hair whipping around her face in the wind. Her sparkling green eyes glinted against the flashes of lightning. She was seemingly transfixed on Vaughn as Miracle approached, galloping gracefully, with Natalie riding atop her in a dance-like state.

She looked so beautiful riding Miracle in the approaching storm, so electric, as if the lightning itself was coursing through her lively veins. She left Vaughn breathless, and as Miracle slowed and came to a stop before her, Vaughn whispered her name, whispered it into the blowing storm.

“Natalie.”

She slid off Miracle and into her arms, staring deep into her eyes, whispering in return, “Vaughn.” Breathless, she pressed her lips to Vaughn’s, capturing them with hers, tugging and tasting. Vaughn warmed from head to toe, unable to get enough of her. She lifted her into her arms painlessly, effortlessly, and carried her away from Miracle, who trotted knowingly toward the stables as thunder once again rumbled overhead.

“I’ve dreamt of this,” Natalie said, breaking their heated kiss. “I’ve dreamt of you, Vaughn Ruger.”

Vaughn closed her eyes as rain drops began to fall, their cool taps a rhythm that felt foreign and yet familiar. They played her skin expertly and she fell away, falling, falling, falling.

When Vaughn opened her eyes again, she had to blink to focus. It took her a moment to realize where she was, and when she did, her heart clenched, making her chest ache with disappointment. She sat up in bed and glanced at the clock. It was nearing five a.m. Her alarm was about to sound, so she switched it off.