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MARISA WOKE WITH A start. She'd heard a strange thunk.
A bright light flashed in her eyes, and a wave of terror rose to her throat, choking off a scream.
Before she could react, a hand gripped her arm. "Get up."
It was him. That voice from the phone.
"I said, get up."
She stood on shaky legs and tried to see Nate, to wake him. The flashlight bounced around the room erratically, passing quickly over Nate's face. Just long enough for her to see blood. Had he been shot? Could she have slept through a gunshot?
"Move."
Richard Gray pushed her past the bed and toward the door.
She found her voice. "What did you do to him?"
"If he wakes up before we leave, I'll kill him."
Rick could be lying to her, but Marisa decided to believe that Nate was only sleeping. Or unconscious. Either way, as long as he wasn't dead.
"Do you want to see your daughter or not?"
"Yes. Please."
"Then walk."
His hand was tight around her arm, not that she'd fight him now. He had Ana. This man was taking her to her daughter.
He pushed her out the front door, and the wood planks of the front steps were cold on her bare feet. The air blew through her thin pajamas, raising goosebumps on her skin. She'd expected to see a car idling, but no. He pushed her up the driveway, to the street, and turned away from the main road.
Suddenly, he stopped her. The flashlight went out, but the half-moon offered plenty of light to see. He stood behind her, yanked her hair, snapped her head back.
"You'll do what I say, and you'll do it silently. You understand?"
"Yes."
"If you scream, I'll kill you the way I killed your stupid sister. You understand?"
She stifled a sob. She couldn't nod, because he was pulling her hair too tight. She forced out another "yes."
"And then I'll put a bullet between your daughter's eyes."
"I promise I won't scream. Just don't hurt her."
"We'll see."