Page 11

Chapter Eleven

BEAU

I ’m beside myself to find Brynn and fix things. I have to. I should never have let her leave, but it would have involved literal abduction to keep her here. As Mr. Lovelace said on the phone, once Brynn’s made up her mind, changing it requires an act of God.

I call and text her over and over until it’s thoroughly clear that she refuses to respond to me. Goddammit! She couldn’t have picked a worse time to disappear on me. Even if she hates my fucking guy and can’t stand to be near me, she still needs my protection.

How do I make her see that her dad and I only had her best interests at heart? That we have to keep her safe from the most evil aspects of the world. The problem is, she’s been so sheltered that she doesn’t know what true depravity looks like or how it consumes the innocent.

I dress quickly, determined to track her down … convince her to give me another chance. No matter what it takes. Even though the way she left triggered my abandonment issues in ugly fucking ways.

I remind myself I fucked with her deepest emotional wounds, too. Even though I wasn’t trying to manipulate her, and I never wanted to lie. She has to see reason. I have to find a way to explain everything to her that makes sense, but first, I have to find the woman who’s stolen my heart.

Getting up my truck and jumping in the cab, my phone rings, and I grab it frantically, hoping to see Brynn’s number. Instead, I read: Christian McLeod. He’s an old Marine comrade who now serves as the sheriff of Gold County. Like Vengeance, Gold County has also been touched by Ted Wesley Craven.

“McLeod, thanks for getting back to me so quickly.” I called him yesterday after finding the bodies.

“I should’ve done it even sooner, but I’ve been swamped by media calls all morning, wanting to revisit Craven’s last attempted murder and his death in our county.”

“No worries. Will’s swamped, too. That’s why I wanted to touch base, see if you’d seen anything consistent with a potential copycat murderer.”

“Fortunately, everything’s been most peaceful since the bastard threw himself over a cliff?—”

“Wait, he killed himself?” I remember the news at the time, something about the man dying in the woods while chasing an intended victim. But for some reason, I never registered it as a suicide.

“No.” McLeod chuckles. “The dumb fuck ran off a cliff in the dark, pursuing the true crime reporter who was investigating him.”

I grunt.

“The reporter ended up marrying my brother, Logan. I can give you their contact information.”

“Thank you. I’d like to read her articles on the case, too. She’s certain Craven was the right guy for the earlier murders?”

“One hundred and fifty percent. Look up Jess Steele and the Chronicle .”

“Thank you.”

“Sorry to hear about the murdered hikers. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help out an old friend.”

“Will do.”

Before ripping out of my driveway, I google Jess Steele and Ted Wesley Craven. Countless articles pop up. My eyes scan the search result keywords: vicious rapes, prolonged torture, buried alive, and female hikers. I text the results to Will, unable to sit still and read until Brynn is accounted for. My stomach roils as I drive, wondering what the coroner’s report for the two missing hikers will say.

As I drive, I use my hands-free device to call Henry Lovelace.

“Forester,” he answers on the second ring. I expect him to sound angry or at least informed that the ruse is up with Brynn. After all, I had imagined he would be one of the first people she would call after leaving the cabin. I don’t pretend to understand their relationship, though.

“Mr. Lovelace, this is a tough call to make. But I wanted to let you know Brynn found out about everything. She’s pretty pissed off at the moment, so expect a call from her. Oh, and I’ll be resending you the money wires.”

“What?” he wheezes. “How in the hell did she find out? Did you tell her?”

“It’s a long story. Suffice it to say, she got wind of one of your money transfers.”

“But how?”

“She saw the notification on my phone,” I reply, swallowing loudly.

“How did she do that? Your obligation ended at the lake.” His voice is scratchy, exasperated.

I pause for a moment, trying to find the right words. “Because, sir, I’ve fallen in love with your daughter. And I’m fairly certain she returns my feelings. If she can get over the betrayal of finding out about my job for you.”

“Fell in love with Brynn?” He laughs, clearing his throat. “Good luck with that. She’s even more independent than her mother, and I don’t get the feeling she’ll ever settle down. Besides, you’re too damn old for her. I mean, you’ve got to be at least thirty-three or so based on your resume.”

“Thirty-eight, sir.”

He lets out a sharp exhale. “Absolutely not. That’s way too old for my daughter.”

“But I can care for her, Mr. Lovelace. Make her happy. I know I can if she can get over the work I did for you.”

“That’s a pretty big ‘if,’ I’d imagine. My daughter’s stubborn as they come in case you haven’t already figured it out.”

“I have, sir.” I pause, trying to find the right words. Unable to do so, I admit, “I thought you’d be more upset about my confession.”

“Well, your age doesn’t thrill me, but Will has had nothing but the best things to say about you, your record, and your character. So, I know she could do a whole helluva lot worse. And I’d rest much easier at night knowing she’s foregone living out of her 4Runner. I can’t tell you how many sleepless nights I’ve spent since she started her road trip.”

I grunt. After an awkward silence, I add, “If she calls you before I talk to her again, please let me know.”

“You mean, you don’t know where she is?”

“I saw her less than an hour ago.”

“But do you know where she is now?”

“No, sir.”

“You should have put a tracker on her car,” he laments.

“That seemed extreme at the time.” Now, I wish I had. Hopefully, she’s back at the Paradise Inn. The thought reminds me that I need to call and make arrangements for her. “I’ll wire you back the money later today.”

“No, I won’t accept a refund. You did your job, and I paid you. End of story.”

“But I broke the NDA.”

“No.”

“By all rights, I should pay you for ensuring my path crossed your daughter’s. I know I’m preaching to the choir, but she’s amazing. The best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Then, make sure you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to her. You get me?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Oh, and keep her safe. She’s her mother’s and my world.” His words excite foreboding in my gut. I won’t rest easy until I see Brynn again.