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I tried to stretch out my sore, tired muscles without bumping into anyone. I was standing, waiting to disembark from the plane. I thought I’d never make it here. My three-hour layover in Atlanta hadn’t helped. I was exhausted from work and sleepless nights for the past two nights. I hoped to sleep on the flight, but it didn’t happen. I couldn’t make my brain stop. The jab of a sharp suitcase corner in my lower back made me want to groan.

The flight was crowded, and more than one child was crying and throwing fits on the two legs of the flight. I knew it couldn’t be helped in some cases, but in a couple of them, the child was throwing a tantrum, and the parents did nothing to settle them. I saw one Mom pop in her earbuds and close her eyes. I wanted to punch her in the face.

Finally, the line ahead of me began to move. I brought a carry-on, so there was no need to go to the baggage claim. I’d head straight to the car rental agency to pick up a car and then get on the road. I had the addresses of the Black Outlaws clubhouse and the house that had been blown up. I’d grab some coffee, then drive there. I didn’t know what I expected to find, but it was a starting point. Once I was done there, I’d start checking out the rest of Spartanburg.

Exiting the plane, I read the signs to determine where to go. I was so busy reading them that I didn’t notice him until I almost ran smack into him. As a broad, muscular chest obscured my vision, I raised my head to apologize to whoever I’d practically run into. My apology died on my lips when it registered that I was looking at Beau Winters.

My disbelief quickly turned to anger. I didn’t want to see or speak to him. Turning on my heels, I went to the left. He had other ideas. My arm was grabbed, and I was brought to a halt. His grip was firm but not painful. I shook my arm as I glanced back at him and glared.

“Let go of my arm,” I ordered.

“No. You’re coming with me. We have a conversation that’s overdue.”

“What are you doing here?”

“You were supposed to meet me this morning to talk.”

“Don’t be cute, Beau. I want to know how it is you’re here. How did you know I left Montana? And how did you beat me here?”

“I’m not being cute. I’m far from feeling that. You want answers, well, so do I. We can stand here and let everyone in this airport hear what we say, or you can come with me and talk in private.”

His bossy tone simultaneously made me angry while making my body react in another way. Oh, hell no, I wasn’t letting that happen. There was no way I was letting him arouse me. Any thoughts of that kind had to be stamped out.

“I have nothing to say to you. What I do is not your business. Leave me alone,” I snapped.

“Christ, Keeley, what the hell has gotten into you? Where is this anger coming from?”

“You’ve interfered and slowed down my investigation long enough. My answer remains the same. I won’t stop my search. I don’t want your help or anyone else you know to help me. I’ll find her myself, and when I do, the fuckers who took her will pay,” I hissed before I ripped my arm free. It hurt, but I ignored it.

I stomped off toward the exit. I fumed as he fell into step next to me. I ignored him. Maybe if I did it long enough, he’d catch a clue and leave me alone. When I exited outside, the bright morning sun made me squint. My head was hurting, and I knew it would only get worse, but I couldn’t stop. My time was limited. I had to do as much as possible before I had to head back home. I doubted I’d have time to go to Cherokee on this trip, so I’d have to travel there another time.

I was strolling past cars parked in front of the airport. They were in spots where you were supposed to stop, only long enough to unload people. I was next to a dark blue SUV when Beau captured my arm again. I was turning to tell him off when he reached around me, opened the back door of the SUV, and pushed me inside. Before I could react, he slid in next to me and slammed the door.

“Go,” he said to the man sitting in the driver’s seat.

The guy didn’t say a word. He pulled out and into traffic. I whipped sideways to stare at Beau in outrage.

“How dare you do this? Stop this goddamn car and let me out right this second, Beau! You have no right. This is kidnapping. I can have you arrested,” I snarled.

“It’s the only way to get you to listen. You’re angry at me, and I don’t know why. It’s not safe for you to be here, Keeley.”

“The only one not safe here is you if you don’t let me go,” I threatened.

The man driving chuckled. He glanced back at me in the rearview mirror. He grinned. “I like her. She’s feisty as hell. Hello. Let me introduce myself since it seems Beau isn’t going to do it. I’m Heath. I work with Beau. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Keeley. I see why he has been in Montana so long.” He winked.

A rumbling sound came out of Beau. When I looked at him, he was glaring at Heath. I was torn between ranting at them both or trying to be nice to at least Heath. He shouldn’t get the brunt of my anger. I gave him one of my biggest smiles.

“Hello, Heath. It would be my pleasure to meet you if you hadn’t helped him kidnap me. If you pull over and let me out, it’ll be a pleasure, and I won’t have you arrested with him.”

“Like hell he’ll pull over. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep driving. And keep his eyes on the road,” Beau snapped.

Heath clicked his tongue and shook his head. “My, my, you’re awfully testy. I can see why, but don’t be upset that she likes me more. The ladies can’t resist me.” Heath smirked.

A growl came rumbling out of Beau. What in the world was wrong with him? “Drive,” he barked.

“Since you insisted on snatching me, the least you can do is take me to pick up my rental car. I have work to do.”

“I’m not letting you out of my sight. You don’t seem to understand. I’m trying to protect you. Do you want to be snatched like your sister?” Beau asked.

“I don’t need or want your protection. As for being taken like Kensington, I dare them to do it,” I muttered darkly.

“I swear to God, you’re going to make me pull out my hair. Heath, take us to the house.”

“What house? I’m not going anywhere with you!” I protested.

We bickered back and forth as the miles sped by. I slyly looked at the door next to me when I determined he wasn’t about to do as I asked. We were slowed down in city traffic. All I had to do was open the door, jump out, and run. I rehearsed the moves in my head so they’d be seamless when I made my move. What I didn’t count on was Heath.

“She’s gonna bail, Beau. Stop her,” he said.

I lunged for the door, but Beau wrapped me in his burly arms. I squirmed and fought to get free.

“Settle down before you hurt yourself,” Beau ordered.

“Fuck you!”

He sighed. “I didn’t want to do this. I want you to remember I said that,” he muttered.

The next thing I knew, I felt one of his arms release me. Before I could wiggle out of the one still around me, I felt a sting in the side of my neck.

“What did you do?” I asked.

“We’re not here to hurt you, Keeley. I need you to believe that. I’m sorry. You need to let me explain. I want you to tell me why you left Montana without telling me. Why’re you so upset?”

He sounded upset, but not like before. I turned my head further to look at him. A wave of dizziness overtook me. I groaned. My eyelids drooped, and a horrifying thought occurred to me. The sting was a shot. He’d drugged me. As horror blossomed, I realized that maybe he was the enemy. He’d warned me those who took Kensy might take me. I was a fool not to see that he was one of them.

As I sank deeper into a stupor, I muttered one final thing. “I’ll kill you.”