Page 95 of Reckless Chance

I’m not sure how long I’ve been squirming and wriggling my butt, back, and shoulders trying to inch the purse upward along my body. I’ve already had to stop a couple of times to rest and quash my frustration at the slowness of my progress.

Finally, it’s near my neck. If I can move it two or three inches closer, I can grab the leather with my fingers. Rotating my upper body slightly, I give the purse one final shove with my shoulder.

Success!

Taking a deep breath, I re-center myself, being careful not to accidentally push the purse out of reach. I turn my wrists as far to the side as possible and reach to let my fingers gently touch the leather. Working slowly, I pull the bag on top of one hand while using the other hand to locate the strap.

Yes! I got it.

Moving the second hand, I secure the strap with all ten fingers and work them along its length until the cold, hard metal is within my grasp. As I begin banging the metal part of the strap against the support, I swear to never badmouth the weight of the heavy chains they put on crossbody purses again.

A minute later, the door to the tree opens, and a panicked Sean stares at me in disbelief.

I sag, exhausted and relieved, as he and Daniel rush in.

“We heard the recording you sent and have been looking everywhere for you. We didn’t recognize the voice. Is that the man who did this to you? Are you okay?” Sean asks, kneeling to remove the gag from my mouth. He searches my body for injuries while Daniel hurriedly unties my arms.

“Yes, it was Reese. I’ll be fine. I just hurt all over.” My mouth is so dry, I barely can talk.

“What else did he do to you?” Sean asks, helping me sit up.

I groan from the bruises on the front of my torso and lower back. Reese’s foot did a number on me.

“There’ll be time for that later. Reese is getting away. He’s flying out to Cabo now under a fake name, but I don’t know what it is. Find my laptop quickly and follow my luggage tracker. I stuffed it in his backpack. It’s the only way you can stop him.”

“Daniel, call Detective Fielder and get Lowri’s laptop. I’ll take care of her. Go. Now.”

“Got it, boss. Text me Lowri’s password.”

Daniel’s already on his phone as he sprints away.

“Now, let’s focus on you. Clearly, Reese did more than tie you up. What happened?” he asks as he unties my feet.

“I survived the fight with only a few bruises—nothing major. I’ll be fine.”

“First, I’m going to call an ambulance, and then I’m going to kill that bastard when I get my hands on him.”

“No ambulance. I’ll take something for the soreness and get a good night’s sleep.”

“Are you sure? At least let the hotel doctor look you over. Will you do that for me?”

“If you insist, but that’s overkill.”

I listen as Sean calls Emily to arrange for a golf cart to meet us at the nearest Maze entrance, which I learn is underneath the stage. He also instructs her to have the Athena’s doctor waiting for us in his apartment.

“Let’s go via the Maze. Can you walk if I help you?”

“Maybe.”

Sean helps me up. He catches me when my legs give out and the muscles near my waist spasm.

“That’s not going to work,” he says, reaching down to pick me up.

Hugging his neck, I smile, knowing I trust him to take care of me.

53

LOWRI