Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
“Start there,” Dempsey says, pointing at the first road on the right. “We’ll explore each one of these side roads one at a time.”
Since it’s impossible to look everywhere at once, I go with his instruction, turning so fast, he has to grab onto the “oh shit” bar to keep from landing in my lap.
This is a damn nightmare.
Where is she?
What’s the sadistic fuck doing to her?
If he was brazen enough to kidnap her in broad daylight in front of friends and family, there’s no telling what he’d do. Dark images of blood and violence and rape make it to where I can hardly see to drive. Rage boils up inside me. When I find this fucker, I’m going to destroy him. He’ll regret the day he ever laid eyes on Aubrey.
The next three roads we go up and down produce nothing. Just old houses and no cars matching the description.
This time when Dad calls, I answer on the first ring. “What?”
“You’re not going to believe this,” Dad rumbles. “There’s footage of Neena climbing into a waiting white sedan over a year ago.” He coughs and clears his throat. “You think this bastard took Neena and…” He trails off. “What if he does the same to Aubrey?”
“What’s the make and model, Dad?” I demand, bringing him back to the most important thing. Finding Aubrey.
“2018 Chevy Malibu. Your pops has Sloane on the phone. Looking for anyone with a registered vehicle in town matching that make and model.” He pauses for a moment. “Anything?” he calls out to Pops. He sighs and then says, “She’s looking. Jude is trying to hack into the DMV.”
Jude’s voice can be heard next. “Five vehicles matching that description. Edna Johnson. Lindsay Wallace. Frank Gotti. Thea Montgomery. Andrew Porterfield.”
My blood runs cold. “Drew? As in frat boy wannabe, pool cleaning Drew?”
“Who?” Dad asks.
“Put me on speaker,” I bark out.
“You’re on.”
“Jude, get me Drew’s address. Now. The accountant might have it since he’s our goddamn pool boy.”
Pops curses in the background. Seconds later, Jude rattles out the address.
Less than two miles away.
“We’re going to get her,” I growl out, peeling out onto the main highway again. “She’s close.”
“Spencer, don’t do anything rash. We’re sending Sloane out—”
I end the call and step on the gas.
There’s no time for this bullshit.
All that matters is getting to Aubrey.
Aubrey
Everything hurts.
Why does everything hurt?
I’ve been kidnapped by my mother’s old lover. It’s all coming back to me—the kidnapping, being bound to his bed, the abuse.
I slowly come to, too afraid to open my eyes, taking stock of my injuries. My hands are completely numb due to lack of circulation, my ankle is throbbing, the zip ties cutting into me no longer hurt compared to the nauseating pain in my ribs. Maybe, if I pretend to be asleep, he’ll leave me alone.
My breathing has picked up despite my effort to keep it even. Tears burn at my eyes, but I manage to keep them safely dammed behind my eyelids. I’m parched and my throat hurts something fierce, but I don’t dare ask for water.
The bed is still wet where I peed. From sheer terror. One good thing about wetting myself is he was so disgusted that he stopped his efforts to rape me.
What happens when he knows I’m awake?
I desperately keep the whine that’s lodged in my throat at bay.
“You want her back?” Drew growls. “Then give me what I want. Tell me where the fuck my girlfriend’s body is. I know you crazy motherfuckers had her killed.”
Panic claws at my chest.
Stay quiet.
Don’t move.
As much as I wish to cry out, begging whoever is on the other line to save me, I can’t take that chance. If he’s recording a video and not a live call, I’ll compromise myself.
“I’ll hack her to pieces and send you a body part each day,” Drew threatens. “And then I’ll take out each and every one of you one by one just like I did Tasha.” He chuckles, dark and cruel. “But that bitch just wouldn’t die, would she? There’s always time. Later.”
My body shudders so hard the bed squeaks. Dumb girl. Dumb, dumb girl. Get a hold of yourself.
Something cold and metal presses against my pussy. I shriek in surprise. No!
“Ahh, the little princess has awakened. Were you trying to trick me, bitch? Open your goddamn eyes!”
I sob as my eyes open. Drew comes into view. His face is maniacal, gaze darting all over, pupils so tiny they’ve nearly disappeared. There’s no escaping this monster. He could pull the trigger at any second and I’d bleed out through my pussy of all places.
I gag and then I gag again.
I’m going to be sick.
Vomit rushes up and I’m helpless to stop it. It projectiles across my torso against my will. I’m going to die like this. What a horrible way to die.