Chapter Forty-Two

Different scenarios played through Lena’s mind at a dizzying speed. Each time she thought of a way to make this work, her conscience presented another roadblock.

She could walk Colton out to the Jeep, but she had no doubt they would take her out before she even started the engine. Colton was huge, he could overpower her easily.

Plus, he had a baby. He was a father.

She couldn’t take John’s father away. Even if it was to get Kenzie back. How could she look at her daughter and know what she’d done? She’d be just as bad as Viktor.

But Colton was standing right here in front of her. It seemed so easy just to give Viktor what he wanted, so he would give her what they’d agreed on.

She jumped at the feeling of Dane’s breath at her ear. He was so close, yet he hadn’t made a move to take the gun from her.

“Please don’t do this,” he murmured gently. “Please trust me. This won’t work. You know it won’t.”

She knew in her heart this wasn’t the right thing to do, but the temptation was overwhelming. The man that could free her daughter was standing right in front of her. It was so simple to take the easy way out, to follow orders. She wasn’t strong enough to come up with another way. She just wanted this nightmare to be over.

By the door, baby John made a sound of impatience and gave a short whine.

Lena’s heart squeezed painfully.

Oh God.

No. She couldn’t do this.

Disgusted with her own weakness, she gave up and held out the gun out to Dane, who tucked it back in his waistband.

She was shocked when it was Colton who pulled her into his arms and held her as she collapsed from despair and the spent emotion. Tears of shame filled her eyes and rolled down her cheeks as the man whose life she’d threatened attempted to soothe her.

“I’m so s-sorry,” she sobbed against him, understanding why Dane hadn’t allowed her to say those words to him when she’d been the cause of so much pain. Words were useless. But she said them with sincere regret.

“It’s okay. I understand. I do.” He rubbed her back. “I’m sorry this is happening to you and your little girl. I’m here to help you,” he said as he rocked back and forth, and let her cry all over his shirt. “We all are. We’re going to work this out so we can all go home with our children. I promise.”

Once the gun was away, Colton’s wife, Angel, came back and handed him their baby. It was pretty clear by her expression this woman wasn’t as forgiving as her husband. But Lena didn’t blame her. Not even a little.

Another man stood with a wry look on his face. “It sure would be nice if we could get together once in a while without pulling guns.” He stepped closer. “I’m Garrett. This is my wife Samantha.” He pointed to the woman who had apparently shot Dane.

At least Lena hadn’t actually pulled the trigger.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she managed to say, though her voice was still weak from stress and crying.

Had she really pointed a gun at another human being? What was she thinking? She could have killed an innocent man. A husband and father.

Dane’s arm came around her, and he pointed to two other men who were now also standing. “This is Justin,” he said, indicating the man who had glared at her earlier. He was still glaring. “And this is my boss, Supervisory Deputy United States Marshal Josiah Thorne. He’s leading the cavalry, and he’s going to tell us how to get our kids back.”

“Welcome, Lena,” the older gentleman said after Justin grunted a grudging hello and sat back down.

It seemed surreal that everyone was able to move right into normal introductions after she’d just threatened one of them at gunpoint. It was as if they’d instantly forgotten how rude she’d been. She never expected their forgiveness, but if they were still willing to help her get her daughter back, she would find a way to make it up to them.

Dane pulled her tighter against him, and she felt slightly encouraged…until she saw the frown on Marshal Thorne’s face. At first she thought he was angry over her theatrics, but then she recognized the look.

Pity.

Her heart dropped to her stomach, panic twisting through her veins.

It was obvious. He had bad news.

And honest to God, she didn’t think she’d survive it.