24

 

“I don’t like this. If Kevin even suspects I’m not alone, he’ll kill Piper.”

Chase cut the lights and parked in Piper’s driveway, well out of sight of the house. He turned to face Sierra. “We have the advantage.”

Her eyes rounded. “How?”

“We already know Eason. We know his motivations. We also know he has only one hostage and you’ve given me a detailed layout of the house and property.”

“True. But we don’t know exactly where he’s holding her, or what kind of weapons he has. What if he’s outside waiting? Watching us already?” Sierra shuddered and looked around the darkened landscape. “There are acres of woods surrounding this house. He could be anywhere.”

“We’ll know more after you establish a line of communication with him.”

“Me?”

“Yes.” Chase didn’t like the idea of Sierra speaking with Eason again, but if everything went well, tonight Piper and Sierra would both be safe and free from this terrible man.

Sierra lifted her chin and nodded, courageously accepting the task. “Tell me what to do.”

Chase’s respect for her grew as she faced her fears head-on. “Just wait, for now.”

On the drive over, he’d called in back-up. Anticipating the officers’ arrival, he allowed himself a moment to consider what would happen when Eason was in custody. Sierra would testify. He would testify. Eason would be put away for a very long time. Sierra could live her life again. She’d be free.

Then, she wouldn’t need him anymore.

A strange sensation ignited in his gut, leaving him with the pang of loneliness, even as he sat alongside her in the parked truck. He’d grown used to being with her. He didn’t know if he could ever stop the urge to protect her.

“How many officers will be out here?”

“Enough.” In an effort to keep the situation under control, Chase hadn’t called in the hostage negotiation team. Instead, he was relying on a few, select fellow officers he could trust.

He checked his ammunition and removed the safety on his gun. He’d given orders that Eason be brought in unharmed. But, if it came down to saving Sierra, he wouldn’t hesitate to fire a kill shot.

Sierra’s gaze followed his movements. “I don’t suppose I could have one of those.”

“You know how to handle a gun?” Not that he had any intention of handing one over.

“I’ve used BB guns to shoot tin cans.”

Chase cracked a smile. “In that case, no. Besides, you’re staying in the truck, remember?”

“When will the others get here?”

“It won’t be long.”

“I don’t know about all this.” She nipped at her lower lip.

“I need to get a closer look. This all could be some kind of elaborate set up.” Chase moved to open the door, but Sierra stopped him with a hand on his arm.

“Why don’t you wait until back-up gets here?”

“Because we need to be ready to move in on Eason. The more we know now, the better off we’ll be when help arrives.”

She nodded. “Be careful.”

He didn’t want to go, but had little choice. He leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her soft lips. “Lock the doors. I’ll be back in a few.”

The cool night air enveloped him and he zipped his jacket as he darted between the trees. The house was dark, except a faint light glowing from the kitchen window. Chase gripped his gun tighter, eager to take down Eason. Adrenaline spiking, he had to restrain himself from entering the house immediately. Waiting for back-up was the best way to tip the odds in his favor.

He circled the perimeter, gauging the distance to the back door. An inadequate back porch light illuminated an approximate three-foot radius. Good. Once assembled, his team could approach the house virtually undetected.

He studied the house, committing the layout to memory. Satisfied he had good point of entry, he headed back to the truck—it was time for Sierra to make contact with Eason.

The breeze rattled branches overhead, and carried a faint scent of smoke. The darkness obscured his vision, but not his senses. Something wasn’t right. Goosebumps raised on his arms. Neck hairs stood on alert. He looked toward the house. The faint glow from the kitchen had brightened into a dancing, amber hue.

“No.” With a quick glance down the driveway, he willed Sierra to stay inside the truck. He dashed toward the house’s rear, knowing there would be no time for reinforcements to arrive before flames consumed everything within reach.

He placed a quick call to 911 before kicking open the back door. Gun drawn, he made his way toward the fire’s source. Smoke seared his lungs, and he bent low to avoid the worst of it as he rounded the corner to the kitchen.

Heat waves scorched the air, devouring oxygen. Flames consumed the area surrounding a terrified woman bound to a chair. The woman looked enough like Sierra for Chase to know this must be Sierra’s sister.

Eyes wide, Piper violently shook her head side to side.

“I’m Detective Chase Price. I’m going to get you out of here,” he shouted above the din of crackling flames.

Piper continued to shake her head, her dark hair whipping around her face, but her gaze wasn’t on him. She was focusing on something across the room.

His gaze followed hers. A photograph, its edges curling into gray ash, rested on the kitchen table. Chase’s stomach plummeted and his blood ran cold. “Amber.” Bruises marred her face. Wide, pleading eyes beckoned her ruthless captor to let her live—the picture must’ve been taken moments before she died. Sucker punched in the chest, Chase fought to remain vigilant. He couldn’t help Amber now, but he could help Sierra’s sister.

A whooshing sound blasted the room as the fire discovered a new fuel source. Curtains lit up as they became ensconced in the fury, illuminating the kitchen as if it were midday. A small black object, resting near the table’s edge, caught his attention. He’d dealt with enough explosives to recognize the potentially deadly, volatile device. The remote detonator would be close by, no doubt in Eason’s hands.

Training and instincts took over, and Chase dove toward Piper, praying he wasn’t too late.