Page 117 of Lethal Threat

“Did you just put your phone in your bra?”

“Sure. What of it? It’s nice and safe there. And I can get to it fast if I need to.”

I shake my head as I pull to a stop at the curb a block away from the Mazda. “Are you ready? I need to know you’re?—.”

She glares at me. “You’re worried because I’m a woman?”

“Not at all. I’m just fucking worried.”

She hops out of the truck. “Let’s go.”

There’s no sign of movement as we approach the house. The curtains are closed. A flyer is stuck in the door, limp from being rained on. Simona follows me. She’s closer. Her pistol is drawn, but held low so the neighbors don’t freak the fuck out.

I tilt my head. “Going around back.”

Simona takes the lead. I cover her. The hairs on myarms stand up. The silence surrounding the house is heavy. Eerie as fuck.

A pair of thick shrubs blocks the back door from the neighbor's line of view. Very convenient for what I’m about to do. Simona presses herself to the right side of the door so she can back me up when I enter.

I raise my foot and kick the fuck out of the old bungalow’s back door. The wood explodes around the lock. Adrenaline jacks my body and slows time to a crawl as I step inside.

My eyes take in everything.

Running forward, crouched low, gripping my pistol at the ready, I clear all the rooms in the little house.

Not a single sign of life.

The ground glass in my gut shreds me up inside even more.

“Dammit!” I roar as my fist crashes into the bedroom door.

Simona kneels to the floor over two discarded zip ties, the kind used for cuffs. Her eyes scan over the toppled chairs lying on the kitchen floor. “I think they have her...”

“I know.I know.” I choke as I try to swallow.

My heart tries to erupt from my chest as I lean down over a discarded tennis shoe, the blue one that Sierra had on when she left the apartment building on the video.

My voice comes out gutted. “This is Sierra’s.”

Simona stands and lifts her chin. “We’ll get her back.”

I storm out, heading for the car parked at the curb.

Come on,Universe.Cut the shit show and help me out here.

I just need one break. One fucking break and I’ll never let Sierra out of my sight again.

Under my breath, I growl, “I’m coming for you, babe. Just hang on.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

SIERRA

Gratitude number one, I’m not dead. Gratitude number two, the longer they take to kill me, the more chance someone has to find me.

Or, I have time to escape.

Unfortunately, the chances are getting worse instead of better.