“Get out of the truck, Jennifer, nice and easy.”
He had a gun. Dan had a gun, and he was pointing the thing at Jennifer. All she could see in that moment, all she could hear, was the long barrel. The cylindrical shape of the cold gray metal. The click it made when Dan cocked it. But he was supposed to be somewhere on the East Coast starting a new life and leaving her alone. How had he even found her? They’d been so careful. For one long moment, she couldn’t speak. She wasn’t even breathing.
“Hurry, we need to move.” Not waiting for her, he pulled her by the elbow across the seat and out the driver’s side. “Before your Neanderthal boyfriend gets back.”
She slid across without meaning to, pulled along by his strong-arming. “I don’t…I don’t want to go with you.”
“Too bad. I have a gun and you’re going to listen. Besides, do you want him to get hurt?” He threw a look in the direction of the Shady Grind. “If he comes out before we leave, I’ll have no choice but to shoot him. Is that what you want?”
“N-no, no. Please don’t hurt him.”
She could picture Colton, lying in a pool of blood after coming home from a war overseas. Not even able to survive more than a couple of weeks back home.
All because of her.
Dan grabbed her by the hair and tugged. “You’re coming with me and we’re going to talk this out. Breakups happen. I get it. But we haven’t had a chance to discuss what went wrong with us.”
Dear God. What went wrong? The delusions were still intact, apparently.
Pulling her along, he opened a sedan driver’s side door and shoved her inside, still pointing the gun.
“Don’t even try to get out. You’re going to drive us.”
“Where? Wh-where are we going?”
“Eventually to Mexico. You’re coming with me, of course. No hard feelings, we’ll just start over.”
He got in the back seat of the car, directly behind her, pointing the gun to her head.
“Go. Now!”
As she drove off, Jennifer cast a longing look at possibly the last place she’d ever see Colton. Funny how she wasn’t thinking of whether she’d survive this. She was only thinking about him.
She spied the figure of a man in her rear view coming around the corner, wearing a dark cowboy hat. Not Colton, but Beau. She could only hope he’d seen her and recognize the back of her head leaving in a strange vehicle. Colton would be able to figure things out when he saw her missing from his truck. When he’d notice her purse, left behind. He’d know that she’d never purposely just take off on him. He’d know Dan was involved. Colton would feel so guilty. He’d blame himself when all he’d done was leave her alone for a few seconds.
As Dan ordered, she drove to the outskirts of town but not in the direction they usually took for the H Grange. They were going in the opposite direction. Her mind relentlessly spun its wheels, thinking of something, anything, she could do to leave clues behind to where they were going. But it wasn’t anything like the movies. If she rolled down the window and casually threw an earring outside, Dan would notice. He’d get angrier than he already was and right now she had to talk him down. She had to make him believe she was on his side.
Yes, establish rapport. Cooperate.
“I wish you hadn’t made such a big production out of this. You scared me but I’d have been happy to go with you. It’s just the gun was…upsetting.”
“Do you really think I like weapons? The gun was necessary. Your boyfriend is a soldier. He wasn’t going to let you go that easy. Surely you realize that?”
How did he know all this? How long had he been spying on them, collecting information?
“My boyfriend? Oh, he’s not my boyfriend,” Jennifer tried lamely. “Just a friend. And you’re overestimating him. He was a military cook. He didn’t see any live combat, Dan,” she lied. “He was simply a cook.”
“Word in town is that cook is your fiancé. It would appear you work fast.”
“That’s just a lie we told everyone. Colton is my bodyguard.”
“You don’t need a bodyguard! You’re not anyone vitally important to the rest of the country.”
“It’s because of you. You scared me.”
“Wow, so you’re telling me that you can’t handle a little intensity, a little hot passion. But I would never hurt you.” He waved the gun. “Can’t you drive any faster than this? You’re trying to give him time to catch up to us, aren’t you?”
“Of course not. It’s just these curvy and bumpy country roads. I’m not used to them. Not like LA, right, Dan? We have real roads.”
Establish a connection. Sympathize.
We’re both from LA. Aren’t these country bumpkins ridiculous? They call this a road?
“Pull over! You’re not only unfaithful, but you’re also a terrible driver!”
Jennifer stopped the car not far from a large field of Long Horns grazing. Maybe if she took off at a run she could get away. Run into the fields. She’d probably have a better chance than if she allowed Dan to take her to a second location, wherever that might be. Beau might have seen her, but he’d have no idea where they were headed.
She stopped the car, got out, and made her lame attempt at a run. She got about six feet away before Dan caught her and dragged her back to the car.
“I can’t let you go that easily.” He shoved her back in the car. “You see? I didn’t shoot you. I don’t want to hurt you and I won’t as long as you cooperate.”
He hadn’t shot her, but he had hauled her in forcefully. Twice. This time, when he did, she’d gone to her knees and skinned her arms and elbows.
“I’ll take care of that injury when we get back. I have to do everything, apparently.” He climbed in the driver’s seat, pointing the gun like a ruler to emphasize his point. “Sooner or later, you’re going to have to start being a part of this relationship and carry your weight.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You should be. The things I do for love.” He shook his head, sighed, and drove them further out into the country.
Jennifer began to despair that Colton would never find her. She considered throwing herself out of the car, but the gun still worried her. It was entirely possible Dan didn’t actually want to hurt her, but he didn’t look as comfortable wielding it as he might think. It could accidentally go off. Even if she managed to get away from Dan, her sense of direction was such that she’d probably get lost and wander Hill Country for days.
Salvation came in the form of a lake they were approaching on the right. A large, beautiful, blue lake. And all around, clusters of cabins. Lupine Lake. At least she knew where she was now. The cabins Beau and his family were building. And then the headlights shined on the sign:
Stephens Construction
Lakeside cabins for rent and sale.
There was a phone number listed to call for inquiries.
This might be easier than she could have hoped. As long as she managed to keep them here until Beau came back to work tomorrow, she’d somehow contact him. Maybe when Dan was asleep or went into the bathroom. She’d let Beau know she was being held against her will and to get word to Colton. Or she’d simply run for it and hope Dan was a super bad shot.
But her heart sunk when Dan headed to a cabin obviously still under partial construction. Beams and sheetrock were stacked on the outside perimeter. Dan parked his rented sedan under a group of leafy trees.
“It’s not like I can’t afford to stay here. But if I’d rented, I’d leave a paper trail. Your boyfriend would have figured it out before we could get to the airport. This way, I bought some time. No one is supposed to be staying in this unit. It’s vacant.”
“What a brilliant idea,” she lied, despair mounting. “But, how am I supposed to travel without ID? You took me so fast I left my purse behind.”
He snorted. “I’m a lot smarter than that. You think I’m going to have you traveling as Jennifer Walker? You’re going to have a brand-new identity. I’ve even got a wig inside. Get ready to find out whether blondes have more fun. New social security number, name, everything. All the paperwork is inside.”
Jennifer gaped. God, the man was truly insane. He must have been planning this since before she’d left LA. Dan pulled her by the elbow into the cabin. It still smelled like fresh pine. In the middle of the open room was a sleeping bag. Clothes were strewn about, snacks, and toiletries.
“I didn’t have a chance to clean up. Honestly, I have been watching you two for two days and this is the first time he left you alone for a minute. Idiot. Well, I had to act fast.”
“You told Mallory you had a job opportunity back East.”
“She told you.” He smiled with satisfaction. “And you people think I’m stupid!”
“No one thinks you’re stupid. You’re as bright as they come.”
Dan led her to a corner and forced her to sit. He finally set the gun down and reached for some duct tape.
Jennifer flinched. “No. Please, no.”
“Sorry about this, but I can’t trust you. This won’t hurt, just slow you down if you try to leave.” He wrapped her hands together and then her feet. “And don’t try to leave.”
“A-are you going to kill me, Dan? Because I think we could really have a bright future together if you give me another chance.”
“Of course I’m not going to hurt you, Jennifer. I love you.”
“Oh. Good, then.”
Too bad she didn’t believe him. A cold sliver of dread slid down her spine. Lucky her, loved by a man who probably had a murder kit in the trunk of his car.
“How did you find me? I’m just curious, that’s all.”
“How did I find you? It was way too easy. Call it the absolute vanity of some people. I have a suggestion for a new podcast: social media and its direct effect on the intellect of human beings and the death of society. One of those insipid bachelorettes posted her selfies at the wedding of the year” —at this Dan held up air quotes— “and it wound up on the show that loves to dumb down society in short five-minute segments. You were in the background. I wasn’t sure at first, but I would recognize your long dark hair anywhere. A little research, and here you are.”
“Right. I was at the wedding of the year.”
But she wasn’t supposed to have been in any photos. Colton had insisted. Had warned, coming close to sounding like an ogre. And she’d thought he was overreacting.
Most people would not have made the connection, but then again Dan wasn’t most people.
“I’ll take care of that skinned elbow now.” He unzipped a red first aid kit nearby. “Never let it be said I don’t take care of my woman.”
Jennifer almost threw up in her mouth. “Thanks.”
“How did you get involved with all these stupid country hicks? Were you really that desperate to get away from the city?”
Yes. But not from the city. From you.
Jennifer’s hackles rose and she held back the spears of insults she wanted to throw at Dan. But she had to let him believe he could trust her, and then take the first moment he let down his guard to run.
“What happened?” Beau Stephens said, catching Colton rushing out the door.
“What do you mean?” He carried the takeout container with him and headed toward his truck.
“Jennifer.” Beau pointed. “I saw her get in the car with some other dude and drive off.”
Panic seized Colton in short bursting waves. He dropped the container and ran toward the truck. She was gone. Gone. His mind was still trying to accept this, still trying to find another excuse. Maybe she’d run over to the veterinary clinic to see Eve again. Beau had seen some other woman drive off. Not Jennifer.
“You sure it was Jennifer?”
“I’m sure.”
Then Colton noticed her purse still sitting on the floorboard of the passenger seat.
He cursed and kicked his truck.
“Calm down,” Beau said, holding up his palms. “I’m sure y’all can work it out, whatever you’ve done wrong.”
Colton picked up and waved her purse in front of Beau. “This isn’t an argument. She wouldn’t willingly get in someone’s car without this. Someone kidnapped her.”
And Colton knew exactly who that had to be. Dan was more of a criminal mastermind than anyone had ever given him credit. Apparently, he’d laid the groundwork and had everyone believing he was in the wind. Three thousand miles away on another coast. Instead, he’d snuck right into Colton’s town. In military jargon, this development would be called Fubar. And this mission was in serious danger of going upside down.
“Jennifer has a stalker, and he must have found her.”
“Jesus.” Beau stared, comprehension of the seriousness dawning on him.
No lover’s quarrel here. Nothing that simple.
“Tell me everything about the car.”
“It was black, four doors, sedan, probably a BMW and…”
“Yeah? Go on. I don’t have all day.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “And, come to think of it, I think maybe I’ve seen that car once before. At the lake.”
“Lupine?”
“Yeah, so far, we’ve only rented or sold cabins to families and some of the single women who’ve moved here. No single men.”
“Could he be working for you?”
“I mean…it’s possible.” Beau dragged a hand through his hair. “But I don’t think so. All my guys drive trucks for obvious reasons.”
Colton gave Beau a brief description of Dan as given to him by Horace.
“Doesn’t sound familiar.”
This still had to be the first place Colton would search and he was wasting valuable time. He may have already hurt her. Raw and pulsating fear rushed through him.
“I’ve got to look there first.”
“I’m going with you.” Beau went to his truck and grabbed a shotgun from the back.
A small crowd had gathered outside, and Levi yelled, “What the hell’s going on out here?”
“Someone took Jennifer!” Beau yelled back. “C’mon, we’re going to the lake, and we need some men.”
Several men had spilled out of the restaurant, Jackson included, and they were hopping into trucks. Colton could hardly believe his eyes. He had a small platoon within minutes.
“Follow me!” Beau said, hopping into his truck.
Colton was right behind him, pealing out, kicking up dust. He thought about Jennifer, who must have been terrified that in the small time frame he’d left her alone her stalker had appeared. He wondered why she’d gone so willingly instead of putting up a fight as she should have.
He’d have heard her and taken seconds to get to her. None of this would have happened. The issue of being taken to a second location was a dangerous one because there Dan would have the privacy he needed to do whatever he wanted to her.
Colton couldn’t think beyond that one horrible thought.