Page 43 of Fierce Hope (Hope Landing: New Recruits #3)

Between the cold and the ropes around her wrists, it didn’t take long for Jade’s hands to go numb.

She wiggled her fingers, trying to ignore the tingling and prickling that cascaded across her hands as the nerves reenergized.

“Keep your hands and feet moving,” she reminded DJ.

“When the time comes, we’ll have to react fast.”

“I’ve almost got my knots undone,” DJ whispered. “I won’t let them know, though. Don’t worry.”

What a kid.

Jade only hoped she’d have the opportunity to let Deke know what a bright, brave soul he’d raised.

With a loud bang, the warehouse door flew open, sending a gust of frigid air swirling through the cavernous space.

Sarah jumped. “What the?—”

Chad barged in, head and shoulders coated with snow. His face was flushed with cold and frustration as he brandished a broken shovel handle, the metal blade missing.

“Stupid shovel broke,” he muttered, shaking snow from his jacket. “The handle snapped clean off when I hit a frozen root.”

Sarah swore and rolled her eyes. “So get another one.”

“Where am I supposed to find another shovel out here in the middle of nowhere?” He threw the broken handle across the space where it clattered against ancient machinery.

“Duh. Check that shed over there by the rusty thing,” Sarah pointed at a storage closet made from rough-hewn wood.

Chad stalked closer, lowering his voice, but the acoustics of the empty mill carried his words clearly to where Jade and DJ were bound. “You said we were gonna take the money and disappear. You never said I’d have to spend hours digging in frozen ground.”

“Oooh, poor baby. What happened to all that bragging about how big you’re getting at the gym? But whatever. If you want out, that’s okay. Just say the word.”

“Don’t threaten me, Sarah. I’m not Kent. I won’t be pushed around.”

Their heated exchange continued. Jade strained to catch every word, searching for any advantage in their obvious discord.

Sarah finally threw up her hands in exasperation. “Watch them,” she ordered Chad. “I left my purse in their car.”

As the door slammed behind Sarah, panic jolted through Jade like an electric charge. Sarah was going for her purse—where DJ had found the phone to send his message. What if she noticed it had been moved? Would she realize what they’d done?

Jade glanced at DJ, her fear evident. He gave a small shake of his head, mouthing what looked like “I put it back” when Chad’s attention momentarily shifted away.

She hoped that meant DJ had returned the phone exactly as he’d found it. If Sarah suspected anything, their already slim chances would vanish completely.

Chad paced restlessly, clearly agitated. Jade watched him carefully, noting how his confidence had fractured during his argument with Sarah. Here was an opportunity—perhaps their only one.

“She’s setting you up,” Jade said quietly, keeping her voice calm and matter-of-fact.

Chad stopped pacing, turning to glare at her. “Shut up.”

“Think about it. Kent ends up dead. Now DJ and I are about to end up dead. And you’re the one doing the dirty work every time.”

“I didn’t kill Wycoff.”

Lucky for Jade, Chad was an awful liar. The truth was written all over his expressive face. “Really? Because Sarah told us you shot him, put his body in the SUV, and sent it over a cliff.”

“On fire,” DJ added.

Chad’s eyes widened slightly. “That’s not—she’s lying.” His hands curled into fists. “It doesn’t matter what she told you. It’s not like you’re gonna be able to tell anybody.” He caught himself. “I mean, it’s not like you’re gonna tell anybody. You’re gonna have to lay low.”

“But that’s just it.” Jade leaned forward as much as her bonds would allow. “Right now, only DJ and I know you killed Sarah’s other boyfriend.” She used the hurtful phrase deliberately. “And we’re sure not going to say anything, are we, DJ?”

“No way,” DJ agreed quickly. “Sarah’s crazy. We just want to get out of here.”

Chad stared at them suspiciously. “What’re you saying?”

“I’m saying you should disappear with the money.

Just let DJ and me go. Whether you kill us or not, DJs dad is going to hunt you and Sarah to the ends of the earth.

You know that, right? Take us out of the equation.

We’ll head back to my place and never look back.

That’ll get DJ’s dad and his team off your back.

Leave Sarah here and take the cash. All of it.

Kent’s clients might be looking for Sarah, but they won’t be looking for you, right?

You should bail while you can. Let Sarah take the fall.

Like she deserves. Think about it, Chad.

You’re the one doing all the hard work.”

She could see the calculation in his eyes, the temptation warring with suspicion. “Sarah would come after me.”

“Sarah’ll be too busy running from whatever mob she and Wycoff stole that money from. Run, Chad. Enjoy your life.”

For a moment, she thought she might have reached him. But before he could respond, the door swung open again and Sarah marched back in, her designer purse clutched tightly in one hand, the gun in the other.

Jade held her breath, watching Sarah’s face for any sign she’d discovered their message. But Sarah’s attention was focused entirely on Chad.

“Get this done,” Sarah ordered sharply. “We need to jet.”

She turned to Jade then, her expression shifting to an unconvincing smile.

“Don’t look so worried. Chad’s just setting up a fake trail so whoever comes looking for you will think you drove off in a different direction.

Once he’s done, the four of us will head down to Sacramento via backroads.

Chad’ll take care of making your car disappear, and you and DJ can move on with your money. ”

The lies were getting sloppy now, desperation edging Sarah’s tone. They were running out of time.

Her father’s voice echoed in her mind: “ When the stakes are highest, that’s when you play the rube, Jadey-girl. Rope-a-dope. Make them believe they’re the strongest, the smartest. Let them think they’re winning. And then, when the time’s right, show them the truth. ”

Jade nodded, allowing her shoulders to slump slightly. “I just want this to be over. I’m so ready for a new start.”

Sarah’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Absolutely. You know a good deal when you hear one.”

She turned back to Chad. “Well? Tick tock ...” She lifted her slim arm, jabbing a finger at the bright pink watch around her wrist.

Chad’s jaw tightened. “Get off my back. I said I’ll handle it.”

Sarah stepped closer to him, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “If you mess this up, you’re the one who’ll be going to prison for murder. Your choice.”

The color drained from Chad’s face. His earlier cockiness had evaporated completely, replaced by the desperate look of a trapped animal. He went from bullying to placating in an instant.

“Hey, babe, don’t stress. I’m just wiped out. I need a shot of protein or something. I’ll finish the job,” he said, his voice softer. “Right now.”

Sarah nodded curtly. “Good.”

Chad retrieved a flashlight from the SUV and hurried out again, the door slamming behind him. The sound echoed through the empty mill like a gunshot.

Jade’s desperation grew with each passing moment. Sarah and Chad would move them before the killing. They wouldn’t want to leave evidence in the mill, and they certainly wouldn’t want to drag two bodies any distance.

They would force Jade and DJ to walk to their own graves.

Nausea swirled in Jade’s stomach. She blinked hard, forcing it away.

The ropes binding her wrists had loosened slightly with her subtle, persistent movements. Not enough to free herself, but enough to give her hope. Her mind raced, considering and discarding plans in rapid succession.

Most scenarios ended with both her and DJ dead.

Not. Gonna. Happen.

“DJ,” she whispered, watching Sarah pace near the SUV, temporarily distracted by something on her phone. “I have a plan.”

DJ leaned closer, his breath warm against her cold cheek.

“You got your hands free, right?”

“Yup. I’m ready to start on yours.”

She watched Sarah. They couldn’t chance it. If the woman saw DJ working on Jade’s bindings …

“Not a good idea right now. If they catch us …”

“I hear you.”

“They’re going to take us outside soon.”

“I figured.”

The way his voice trembled even though he was trying so hard to sound brave brought stinging tears to her eyes.

She cleared her throat, needing to sound steady. In control. Gaze locked onto Sarah, she sidled closer to DJ and whispered. “Quick. Get the keys out of my pocket.”

She barely felt his hands digging for them. “Got ‘em.”

“Great. When they march us outside, I’m going to create a distraction. When I do, you run. Don’t look back, don’t hesitate. Just run. Have you driven a car?”

“A little. Before it snowed hard, Dad took me to the store parking lot. But?—”

“Good.” She interrupted. “Get in my car and drive back to town. Don’t stop for anything.”

“What? No,” DJ whispered back fiercely. “I’m not leaving you.”

“Listen to me,” Jade insisted. “It’s going to take Sarah and Chad time to deal with me. And then they’ll have to run all the way back inside and start up the SUV. You’ll have a good head start. Plus, they’re way more interested in me.”

“But what about you?” The fear in DJ’s voice was palpable.

“I’ll be right behind you,” she lied, knowing full well her plan would likely end with her death. But if it gave DJ a chance to escape, it would be worth it.

He wasn’t fooled. “That’s stupid. No way you’ll get away from them,” he hissed, anguish in his voice.

“I’ll be fine. Trust me.”

“My dad’s coming,” he said with quiet certainty. “You just watch. He’s coming for us.”

Jade’s heart twisted painfully at the unwavering faith in his voice. She wished she could share his confidence, but they couldn’t stake their lives on a rescue team that might not arrive in time.

“I know. But promise me—if your dad doesn’t make it in time, you’ll follow the plan. Promise me, DJ.”

“I promise,” he muttered, defeated. “But he’ll come. I know he will.”

“Then you get to drive my car for no reason. More practice for your license.”

Jade had every faith in Deke. And in her Savior.

Deke would come. But she couldn’t risk DJ’s life on lucky timing.