Sheltered(48)

“Fritz, honey,” Lilith begins, but even I can hear the false tenderness in her voice. “It’s over. Put the gun down and let’s get out of here. We can hop on a plane and head to the Caribbean. They won’t find us there. She doesn’t need to be involved anymore.”

I’m surprised that Lilith is willing to defend me. Then again maybe she’s scared he’s going to lose it and shoot both of us.

“They’ll never stop looking,” Fritz says, turning to look at me. “I was supposed to be on a beach sipping margaritas by now. But instead I’ve had to track down all the loose ends.”

“I promise I won’t say anything,” I plead, sitting up. “You have all the information I found. That’s all of it. I haven’t told anyone what happened.” Tears fill my eyes as I try to convince him to let me live. “I’m nothing. No one would believe me.”

Fritz takes a menacing step towards me and leans in close. “Is that what my brother told you?”

Confusion sets in at his words, and an evil smile forms on his face.

“What? You didn’t know Ryker is my brother?” There’s a strange excitement in his eyes as a knot of worry grows in my stomach. Then suddenly he begins to laugh. “Oh god, he didn’t tell you?”

His laugh echoes through the warehouse, and I think for a second that I might throw up.

“Oh, sweet, stupid Blair. He’s been using you this whole time.”

The pain in my head from where he struck me is nothing compared to the pain ripping through my heart at the realization that I’ve been used again.





Chapter 24





Ryker





“Is she going to be okay?” I ask the vet, and he nods.

John had gotten one of his men to get him before I even came out here. It took us longer than I wanted to get Memphis to back down and let me reach Diamond. John was right, I was the only one he would listen to.

I could see the look in the horse’s eyes, and I’ve known that panic. I felt the same way when I knew my Blair was in danger. Once I got Memphis out of the way and the boys got him back to the barn, we were able to cut Diamond free. She lost a good bit of blood, but the vet was there to take care of her. We got her back in her stall and she’s been resting, with Memphis in the stall beside her to watch over her.

“I just don’t know what happened,” John says, rubbing his face. “When I saw she was gone I looked everywhere for her. Then the radio was out—”

“What?” I say, cutting him off.

“Yeah, it was smashed up,” he says, pointing over to the table with pieces of black plastic on it. “I thought maybe one of the horses trampled it when they got out, but I remember putting it back in my office before I went to bed.”

The hair on the back of my neck stands up and I turn to look at the house. “Blair,” I whisper and take off running.

John is hot on my heels as we jump in the Gator and take off for the house. We kick mud up all around us as I speed over the hill and to the back of the house. Lily is outside in the garden and she stands up when she sees me coming in fast. I watch as she pulls headphones off her ears and looks at me strangely.

“What’s wrong?” she asks, watching me rush in.

“Where’s Blair?” I demand as I run. “Cricket!” I shout, not waiting for her to answer. I just need to make sure she’s okay.

When I burst through the door of my office, Bear nearly jumps on me and meows so loudly it’s like a cry. I look around the room and see the coffee table turned over and blood on the floor. The files that I left with Blair are missing and the front door is wide open.

I can hear my heart pound in my ears as the world comes crashing down around me, making me feel like I can’t breathe.

“Oh god, where is she?” I hear Lily say behind me with a sob in her throat. Her tracker.

My phone rings and I look around the room for it. It’s on my desk, and I lunge for it, grabbing it up.

“Fritz,” I growl as I answer it, knowing my brother is behind this.

“No, it’s Roxy.” Blair’s old roommate sounds like it’s straining him to talk. “Look, you told me to call you if anything happened. That guy Fritz tried to fucking kill me, man. If my friend hadn’t come home to find me, I might have died.”

“I don’t have time for this,” I growl, knowing I need to get to Blair. She is my only concern right now.

“I know. That’s why I’m calling. I’ve been watching that art place like you told me to. He just went back and I think she was in the car with him.”

I grab my keys off the desk and run out the front door. I feel John hot on my heels as I jump in. I don’t wait for him to shut the door before I hit the gas.

“How long ago was it?” I say into the phone, praying I’m not too late.

“Not long, but I think you better hurry.” His voice is so hoarse, but I understand what he’s trying to say.

“Goddammit, Fritz,” I snarl, hitting the steering wheel with my fist and willing the car to go faster. I know if I lose Blair I’ll never survive it.





Chapter 25





Blair