Page 95 of Provocation (Temptation 3)

Without waiting for me to give him permission, Lachlan strode toward the front door, while Ethan calmly collected his papers, returning them to his file. I kept my arm around Imogene, our steps slow as we walked into the foyer.

Lachlan pulled open the door, a large, Black man in a state trooper’s uniform standing there. Recognition briefly flashed in his gaze when he saw Lachlan. Then he shifted his eyes to Imogene and me, a hint of relief within before his expression turned stoic once more.

Removing his hat, he squared his shoulders. “Ma’am, I’m Captain Patrick Dawson of the Georgia State Patrol.”

I nodded slightly, not saying anything, fear snaking through me with every second that passed.

“I regret to be the one to inform you…” He glanced at Imogene before returning his gaze to mine, “but at approximately seven hundred hours this morning, the prison transport vehicle carrying Domenic Jaskulski crashed, resulting in several casualties.”

I exhaled a tiny breath. “Nick’s…dead?” Hope filled my voice, desperate to hear those words fall from his lips.

He slowly shook his head. “No, ma’am.” He swallowed hard. “The prisoner… He wasn’t found in the wreckage.”

My breathing increased, heart racing as tremors overtook my body. Imogene tightened her hold on me, tears filling her eyes.

“What are you saying?”

“Your ex-husband has escaped custody and his whereabouts are currently unknown.”

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