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Nash
Sam moaned as I helped her to a sitting position. Thank God she wasn’t dead. She blinked a couple of times as she brought me into focus. “I’ll kill the son of a bitch.”
“Who, Sam?”
A sudden look of fear entered her eyes. “Where’s Mac?” Her gaze shot around the room.
“She didn’t answer when I called out to her.”
“If he hurts her, I’ll kill him.”
Fear, mixed with anger, weaved its way through me. I had a feeling I already knew who’d taken Makenna. I just needed Sam to confirm it. “Who hit you and then took Makenna?”
“Eric. Her ex-husband. I knew he was a bastard. I just didn’t know how much until today. He’s probably broke and needs more money.”
“Then he’ll need her to make a transfer. Can you call her aunt for me? I need to talk to her. Do you think you’re okay enough to do that? You have some blood in your hair.”
She reached up and tenderly felt her head, wincing. “I must’ve hit my head when I fell, but I’m okay.”
“You have a bruise on your jaw, too.”
She worked her jaw. “I’ll live. I’m not so sure about Mac. Eric is capable of anything. Including murder if he’s backed into a corner. I have a feeling that he is, or he wouldn’t have kidnapped her.”
“He won’t kill her. I’ll get to him before that can happen.”
As she pulled her phone out of her pocket, she looked at me. “I’d hate to be in his shoes when you do.” She punched in the phone number of Makenna’s aunt. “This is a direct line, so I don’t have to go through any of the underlings.”
She held up one finger to let me know Aunt Carol was on the other end.
“There’s been a development. I’m going to put Nash Hayes on the phone. He’s very close to Mac. He’ll explain everything.”
I took the phone from her and introduced myself again. “Eric knocked Sam out, then kidnapped Makenna. Sam thinks he needs more money. I do, too. If she tries to transfer some money, it’ll probably be a large amount. We need to tie it up in transition for as long as we can. At least until we can find her. I don’t know what he’ll do to her once he has the money. We’ll start searching on my end. See what you can find on yours.”
I immediately liked Makenna’s aunt. She was no-nonsense right from the start. She told me any resources I might need were at my disposal. All I had to do was let her know. I told her not to worry that I would find her, then hung up the phone and gave it back to Sam.
I reached into my pocket and brought out my phone, punching in my brother’s number. Jaxson immediately answered. I quickly explained the situation.
“I’ll pick up Layne and Ryder,” Jaxson said. “It’ll only take me about an hour to have my plane fueled, and then we’ll be on our way up. Meet us at the airport.”
I knew my brothers would come through without question. “Thanks, bro.”
I turned to Sam. “Do you have a picture of Eric?”
She began scrolling through her phone until she came across one. “I’ll send it to you.”
I gave her my number. As soon as his picture downloaded, I looked at the man who Makenna had been married to. I knew in an instant he was a pretty boy. He looked good on the outside, but there was no substance to him. When I got through with him, he wouldn’t be a pretty boy anymore, and if he hurt Makenna, I’d kill him.
When I started toward the front door, Sam stopped me.
“I’m going with you,” she said with a determined look.
“The only place you’re going is to the ER.”
She shook her head. “Not going to happen. I hate hospitals. Besides, I feel better now.”
“Let me get someone to come over and sit with you.”
She raised one eyebrow. “I don’t need a babysitter. I promise.”
“It might be hours, even days, before we find her.” My gaze swept over her. Her face was bruised where Eric had hit her, and I knew her head would probably start pounding. “You’re in no shape to look for her. I figure about now, your head’s starting to pound. You’ll find Tylenol in my bathroom cabinet. Take two and go lie down. Keep your phone close to you, and I swear I’ll let you know if anything develops. If you start to feel worse, call me.”
“I will.” She bit her bottom lip. “Promise me you’ll call if you find out anything at all?”
I walked over to her and gave her a hug. “I promise. Now go upstairs and lie down.”
I strode out of the house to my pickup, driving straight to the sheriff’s office. I had a feeling he was going to get tired of seeing me. Once inside, I apprised him of the situation. I also told him my brothers would be flying in to help search, and what was going on with Makenna’s Aunt.
“I don’t have the manpower this case needs,” the sheriff said. “I’m calling the FBI in on this one.”
I gave him Eric’s background, all that I knew, and sent Eric’s picture to the sheriff’s phone. I glanced at my watch. Jaxson would be arriving at any time. I excused myself and left for the airport.
The plane hadn’t landed by the time I arrived. The sheriff had told me we should wait to start the search until the FBI to get there. I wasn’t about to wait. Every second Eric held Makenna could be crucial. I didn’t know how long the bank would be able to stall the transfer. We had to find her before he realized what was going on and did something foolish.
My gut clenched at the thought of what he might do.
I walked inside the terminal, staring out the plate glass windows. Makenna was tough. She wouldn’t let him hurt her. In fact, she would probably escape. I smiled as I remembered how she challenged me every step of the way. From eating my hot salsa, to climbing that damned mountain. No, she wouldn’t give up without one hell of a fight.
It took a moment for me to realize my brother’s plane had landed. This was his new baby. I was glad he traded in his small two-seater for the bigger jet. I watched as the plane circled around, then came to a stop, before he shut off the engine. It was another moment before the door opened, and a staircase was moved over so they could exit.
I met them at the door.
“Any word yet?” Jaxson asked.
I shook my head. “Nothing yet.” I looked at Ryder and Layne. “Thanks for coming.”
“We could do nothing less,” Ryder said.
Layne nodded in agreement.
I quickly gave them a rundown of everything I knew, then showed them Eric’s picture.
Ryder’s expression was sour. “What a pussy.”
“But a dangerous one,” I told my brother. “He wouldn’t have kidnapped her unless he was desperate for cash. Makenna is not like other women. She’ll hate that he’s taken her against her will. I’m afraid she’ll fight back. I don’t know what he’ll do if she does.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll find her.” Layne grinned. “When we’re altogether, we can do anything.”
I only hoped he was right. I figured by now, Makenna was madder than hell. I was scared of what she might do.