Both Lana and Deacon turned to look at him. She noticed that Tango’s scar was stretched tight over his cheek, his expression taut with suspicion. Oh, crap. Had he overheard what they’d been talking about?
She studied his face, but he gave no sign that he’d heard anything of importance. “We need you to help secure the apartment,” he muttered to Deacon.
With a nod, Deacon headed for the door. “I’ll bring you some lunch shortly,” he said to her without turning around.
She watched the two men go, listened to the sound of yet another lock sliding into place.
Lana released a troubled breath. Okay. She was locked up again. But this time, the hope swimming through her remained strong. Steady. Deacon was slowly coming over to her side. He’d heard everything she’d said right now. He’d even seemed to be considering it.
All she could do now was pray that she’d gotten through to him.
A week passed before Hank called with another update. The last Sarah had heard, her husband had hired a mercenary to retrieve their daughter. Since then, she’d been going out of her mind with panic, conjuring up so many worst-case scenarios she couldn’t even remember what living without fear had been like.
When the phone finally rang, she was in Vivienne’s kitchen, staring at a glass emptied of red wine. Viv had flown back to California to be with her children—she had two young teenagers who needed constant attention—but she’d made it clear that Sarah could stay in the Vineyard beach house for as long as she needed.
Sarah had been tempted to return to California, too, but the thought of being alone in the Beverly Hills mansion she’d shared with her husband sent sorrow spinning through her. She couldn’t face the past yet, not when her future with Hank was still up in the air. Not when her daughter had been a prisoner for more than a month.
“It’s not good,” were Hank Kelley’s first words.
Terror seized her heart. “Is she alive?”
“As far as I know.” He let out a heavy breath. “But the man I sent to rescue her isn’t.”
“What?”
“They killed him, Sarah. He was supposed to be one of the best, and these sons of bitches managed to kill him.” Agony rang from his voice. “Cole found the body. Those bastards dropped him off right on the doorstep, a bullet between his eyes.”
Sarah almost fainted. The phone fell from her hands, clattering against the white marble counter. She dropped her head in her hands and sucked in desperate breaths, fighting the wave of lightheadedness ripping through her.
“Sarah. Sarah! Sarah!”
Hank’s voice thudded from the phone. She finally picked up the cell. “I’m here,” she croaked. “I’m… Oh, lord, Hank, who are these people?”
He didn’t reply.
“You need to call the FBI,” she burst out. “And I’m calling Jim.”
“Not yet,” Hank blurted. “I promise you, darling, I’m taking care of it. I’m going to demand proof of life the next time they call, which should be any second now. They’re going to want to brag about their latest surprise.”
“Proof of life?” she echoed warily.
“I don’t want to involve anyone else until I know without a doubt that Lana is still alive. For all we know, they’re just playing with us.”
Another wave of dizziness. The mere thought of Lana being gone made her belly tighten with uncontrollable grief. “Jim might be able to help.”
“No. I’m not dragging another one of our children into this mess. I wouldn’t be able to live myself if something happened to that boy. Losing Lana is already bad enough.”
“We haven’t lost her,” she choked out. “Don’t say things like that.”
A heavy breath filled the line. “I know. I’m sorry.” He paused. “Just sit tight, darling. I’m going to make some calls, and I hope the men who have our daughter will contact me soon. Trust me. I’ll be in touch, Sarah.”
They disconnected, and Sarah’s head dropped right back between her hands. Tears filled her eyes. Trust me.
How could he even ask her that, after everything he’d done to their family? But what choice did she have?
She wanted her daughter back, and Hank was right. If they involved anyone else right now, the kidnappers could panic and kill Lana. If they hadn’t done so already.
She gathered up every iota of strength in her body, slowly lifting her head. It was becoming glaringly obvious that if she wanted her daughter home safe and sound, she really did need to do the impossible.
Trust her husband again.
Chapter 10