Page 58 of Unbreakable Bonds (The Boston Romance #2)

The elevator seems to crawl. I massage the spot between my eyebrows, tension building behind my eyes. When the doors finally open, I stride toward my apartment, ready to grab my spare phone and call her.

"Alisha?" I call out as I enter.

My head snaps right, finding Samantha and Amanda on the couch watching TV. Amanda's eyes dart to my side like she's expecting someone else to be there.

"Where's Alisha?"

The women exchange glances and laugh.

Amanda stands, moving to the door. "Hilarious, Cole." She peers into the hallway, calling out, "Come out, you sneaky girlfriend!"

Sam appears at my side just as Amanda turns back, watchfulness creeping into her expression.

"Where is Alisha?" I repeat, dread starting to coil in my gut.

Amanda's eyes lock onto mine. "She's with you." She steps closer. "Tell Alisha to come out. This isn't funny."

"She isn't with me, Amanda!"

"But you sent her a message." Confusion clouds her face. "Saying you were okay and wanted to talk things out at the diner across from the store."

"I didn't send any text."

"Yes, you did! I saw it myself!" She jabs a finger at me. "The text came from your phone!"

"I didn't—" The truth slams into me like a freight train. "No! Shit. Call the fucking police, Amanda. I'm going to the diner."

"Dad?" Samantha's trembling voice stops me at the door. "What's going on?"

I grab her hands, fighting to keep my voice steady. "Someone broke into my car today. They stole my phone."

"Who would..." She breaks off, horror dawning in her eyes. "Oh my god."

Amanda's already dialing, hands shaking. "Go! Find her, Cole. If you're right, she's in real danger."

I press a kiss to Sam's forehead, forcing certainty into my voice. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine, I promise. See you soon."

I sprint down the hallway and take the stairs, too wired to wait for the elevator. My heart pounds against my ribs as I race to my car. Please, Alex, be okay. The prayer repeats in my head like a mantra as I tear through Boston's streets, ignoring every traffic sign in my path.

Screeching to a halt in front of the diner, I barely remember to throw the car in park before jumping out. My jacket lands somewhere in the backseat as I charge through the door, desperation making my movements jerky, urgent.

A server approaches, taking in my wild eyes. "Can I help you, sir?"

"Yes, I'm looking for the woman who works across the street in that clothing store." The words tumble out as I point through the window. "She has long blonde hair, green eyes—"

"Oh, you mean Alisha?"

"Yes." Hope flares. "Have you seen her?"

The woman shakes her head, crushing that brief spark. "Sorry, my shift started at four o'clock. She hasn't been in."

Fear crawls up my spine as I rake my hands through my hair, trying to think straight. "Okay, thank you," I manage, already heading for the door. Standing on the sidewalk, I force my racing mind to focus. The police aren't here yet. Think, dammit, think. Where would she be?

Then it hits me.

Her car!

I bolt across the street toward the parking space she always uses, hidden behind two abandoned buildings. Darkness creeps in around the edges of the lot, shadows stretching like grasping fingers. Her red BMW comes into view, and relief floods through me – until I see the empty interior.

"Fuck!" I slam my hand against the roof, then grab the door handle.

Locked. I take a step back, and that's when I hear it – the distinctive sound of all four doors unlocking.

What the...

"Just as expected."

The voice behind me turns my blood to ice.

I spin around and find myself staring down the barrel of a black handgun.

My eyes track over the dark figure emerging from the shadows – black clothing, black boots, hood pulled low.

But I don't need to see his face. This is the motherfucker who's been stalking Alisha.

"Where is she?" The words come out as a growl.

"Shut up!"

Tension crackles in the air as my hands curl into fists, every muscle coiled to strike.

"If she means anything to you, you do exactly as I ask." His voice drips with malice. "If you refuse to obey my orders, I promise you'll never find her."

Something clatters against my shoe. Handcuffs with a black blindfold attached.

"Pick it up."

When I don't move, he raises the gun to my head. "Listen carefully – I'll take you to her. But if you try anything..." His voice takes on a sick pleasure. "That daughter of yours will lose her dad. And I'll be sure to visit the lovely young lady. Her skin must feel like satin under my fingertips."

Acid burns in my throat. The thought of him anywhere near Sam makes my vision blur red.

"What's it going to be, Walker?"

Every instinct screams to fight, but the gun doesn't waver. With rage burning through my veins, I bend down and pick up the restraints.

"Now, walk to the passenger's seat and secure one of the cuffs around your wrist." His instructions are precise, practiced. "Then put on the blindfold and bring both arms behind your back so I can cuff you. One wrong move, and I'll put a bullet in your skull. Move!"

The gun presses against my spine as I walk to the car. Metal closes around my left wrist with a final click. As I tie the blindfold, fury makes my voice raw. "If you've hurt Alisha in any way, I'll break every fucking bone in your body."

"Turn!" he barks.

I comply, jaw clenched as the second cuff bites into my skin. My pulse thunders in my ears, but I force myself to stay sharp. I need to figure out who he is, where he's taking us.

"Who are you?"

The gun barrel presses against my neck, cold and unforgiving.

"Someone who's going to teach you a valuable lesson." Hatred drips from every word. "You're nothing but a thief of the lowest kind, and it's payback time, Walker."

The car door opens. "Get in."

The moment I sit, pain explodes in my upper arm – a needle plunging deep.

"You fucking bastard!"

I slam my shoulder against the door, but it's useless. My hands are trapped, and whatever he injected is already racing through my system.

"You worthless piece of shit, if... I..." The words slur as the world starts to spin. No! No. Fight it! I scream at myself. I need to stay awake. Alisha needs me.

But darkness creeps in at the edges of my vision, unstoppable. As consciousness slips away, one last thought burns through my mind:

Please, Alex, be okay. I'm coming for you. I swear to God, I'm coming.

Then nothing but black.