Page 44 of Mountain Refuge

Her heart dropped as the twins raced toward her.

“Where ya going?” Eric glanced from her to Steven.

“For a hike, boys.” Steven gave a thin-lipped smile. “Come with us.”

“Leave them alone.”

“No, I think it’s best they come with us. What about it, boys?”

“Sure.” They scampered ahead of Dani.

“You don’t need them.” She glared over her shoulder.

“Sure, I do. Wyatt won’t try anything if I have his children. Don’t worry. I don’t hurt kids.” He prodded her along with the gun.

“Where are we going?”

“There’s a mining road. My truck’s there. Once we get there, I’ll let the boys go, but you’ll be going with me until I know I have my money.”

“How far is it?”

“About an hour’s hike, if you move it.”

One hour. Such a short time for her to devise a plan to save herself and the boys. She didn’t know the area well enough to know which way to run if she could get them away. They’d traveled so far from the ranch she doubted even the boys would know. Running aimlessly through the woods would get them all killed. She stumbled and almost fell, dropping the bag.

Steven bent and picked it up. “If you sprain an ankle and can’t walk, I’ll shoot you and leave you to die on this path.”

“You’re mean!” Derrick crossed his arms and glared.

“Is that a real gun?” Eric asked. “Why are you pointing it at Dani?”

“No more talking. Keep going.”

“My dad is going to punch you in the throat.” Derrick turned and stomped down the path.

Steven laughed. “I’m sure he’d like to.”

Spotting something in the leaves, Dani scooped it into her hand while Steven kept his gaze on the twins. The plastic key card to the local motel. She slipped it into her pocket. It might come in handy if she got away.

Head high, shoulders straight, she followed the boys in the direction Steven told them to go. On the outside, she might seem compliant, but on the inside, a fire burned, and her mind spun as she devised a plan for escape.

Chapter Eighteen

Dylan looked inDani’s tent then the boys’. None of them or the duffel bag were to be found. His heart raced into overtime. “Buster!”

One look at Dylan’s face and the older man came running. “What happened?”

“I can’t find Dani or the boys anywhere.” He went on to explain about the duffel bag. “It’s gone, too.”

Buster turned to face the guests. “Who else is missing?”

A man around the age of forty approached them. “I’m Agent Sawyer. What’s wrong?”

Dylan repeated himself. “There’s a man missing. Steven Langello.” Oh, God. He’d taken Dani and his sons. His breath caught, and he bent over to try and keep from hyperventilating. After counting to ten, he straightened.

“Where did you see them last?” Sawyer asked.

“I saw Dani by her tent at suppertime.” He pointed out her plate sitting on the ground. “The boys around the same time.” That had been almost an hour ago. “We have to go.” He put two fingers to his lips and gave a shrill whistle. If Monster was anywhere near, he’d come running. The dog would track the boys.