Page 102 of Duty Unbound

She sank into a chair, wrapping her arms around herself. “She’s my sister. I can’t lose her.”

“You won’t,” I promised, though I had no right to make such guarantees.

“I’ve been thinking,” she continued, her voice steadier. “If this is about the tour, I’ll cancel it. All of it. If that’s what it takes to get Mel back safely, I’ll do it.”

I studied her face, seeing genuine fear and love there. Maybe we’d all misjudged Nova Rivers. Behind the diva antics was a woman who truly cared for her sister.

“Let’s not make any rash decisions,” I said. “We don’t know what the kidnapper wants yet. Making sudden moves might make things worse.”

Nova nodded, wiping at her eyes. “I just keep thinking about how I’ve treated her. Taking her for granted. Expecting her to always be there, solving my problems, cleaning up my messes.” She looked up at me, her green eyes—so like Mel’s—swimming with tears. “Did you know she wants to quit?”

My surprise must have shown on my face.

“I overheard her on the phone a few weeks ago,” Nova explained. “She was talking to someone—a friend, I guess—about finding her own life. Away from me.” She blinked back tears. “I pretended I didn’t hear. I didn’t want to face it.”

“You know why she stayed all this time.”

Nova nodded. “For Mom. To keep the dream alive.” She sank deeper into her chair, suddenly looking much younger than her twenty-six years. “But Mom’s been gone nearly two years now. And Mel deserves her own life.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. Maybe the conversation Mel wanted to have with Nova wasn’t going to be as difficult as she thought.

“When we find her,” Nova said, her voice strengthening with resolve, “I’m going to tell her it’s okay. Whatever she wants to do, I’ll support her. I just need her to come home safe.”

Her words hung in the air between us.Whenwe find her. Not if.

“We will find her,” I said, with more confidence than I felt.

Nova stood, composing herself with visible effort. “What can I do to help?”

“Stay where we can protect you,” I replied. “And be ready when the kidnapper makes contact. You probably need to talk to your financial people in case you need to come up with cash quickly.”

We couldn’t discount that this might be a standard K&R. Citadel had its own Kidnap and Ransom team. I hoped we wouldn’t have to call them in, but I knew Logan would already have them prepped and ready to go if needed.

“Would we pay a ransom if they asked for it?”

“Yes, if it’s legit. Unlike the US Government, unfortunately, we have no other option but to negotiate with personal terrorists. A ransom might be the best way to get Mel home safely.”

I just prayed to God the kidnapper didn’t ask for a trade—Nova for Mel.

Nova nodded and headed for the door, pausing with her hand on the frame. “Ethan?”

“Yes?”

“Bring my sister home.”

After she left, I stared at the wall of security monitors, my mind racing through more scenarios and contingencies. Every passing hour without contact from the kidnapper increased my anxiety. Why hadn’t they made their demands yet? What were they waiting for?

My phone buzzed with a text from Logan:

Team ready for your instructions. Waiting in the foyer.

At least something was happening. I stood, squaring my shoulders as I prepared to join my team. This was what I was trained for. What I was good at. Solving problems. Neutralizing threats.

But a small voice in the back of my mind whispered that this was different. This wasn’t just any missing person. This wasMel.

Her face appeared in my mind—not scared or in danger, but as she’d been on my ranch. Laughing in the sunlight, her hair blowing in the mountain breeze, her eyes bright with happiness. The way she’d looked at me when I’d shown her that view, the one that matched her paintings so perfectly.

And then there was this morning, when things had gotten tense between us. I’d pulled back when she asked about my team staying on after the tour. Instead of being honest about my feelings, I’d retreated into professionalism.