No doubt Lauren had already called to tell her friend how he’d screwed up.
Reid wrapped the case in the tarp they’d taken from the grill on the deck. “I’m sorry, man. I didn’t mean to put you in the middle of me and Lauren or for Celine to give you grief.”
“I know.” A slight smile tipped up Thane’s lips. “One things for sure. I won’t get any peace until you phase, but I can handle it. She’s worried about Lauren, that’s all. Celine and I are still solid.”
Trust. Love. Would he and Lauren have had the same under different circumstances?
Thane slid the case into the backpack. “You should reach out to Lauren before you leave.”
“No. I shouldn’t. She won’t listen to me.”
“You’re giving up.”
“I don’t have a choice.” Reid slipped the pack on his shoulder. “I shouldn’t have let things get as far as they did. I made a mistake.” He jerked the strap tighter. “I have a job to do.” A fact he’d overlooked with his confession at the chapel. He couldn’t be in a relationship with anyone. Good thing he’d kept his mouth shut about her forgetting him once he’d phased. He’d already come across as a total ass. What was he going to do? Try to win her over again here or in the present? That’s why he never went back to any woman for more than one night together. Lauren was right. He needed to stay away from her. Period.
Thane’s cell chimed. He glanced at the screen. “It’s Lauren. Doubt it’s me she wants to talk to.” He held out the phone. “Last chance.”
Reid’s breastbone tingled. Chances were he’d see her again at The Song. She wouldn’t recall being mad at him, but he would. After what they’d shared, he didn’t want to remember anger as the last thing that existed between them.
He answered. “Lauren, I’m not leaving until we straighten things out.”
Silence.
Had they lost the connection? “Lauren, did you hear me?”
“Reid.” Her voice quivered. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Tightness loosened in his chest. “I shouldn’t have insisted we talk at the hospital. I should have waited until we got home.” Home. He’d said it. She’d heard it. He couldn’t take it back, and he didn’t want to. “Tell me where you are.” He handed Thane the backpack. “I’ll come to you.”
“No! Reid, you can’t. He forced me—” She screamed.
Dread flashed over him. “Lauren.” His heart thundered. “Lauren, answer me.”
“Sorry, Reid.” A deep male voice replaced Lauren’s. “She can’t talk right now.”
Anger, fear, they coiled like tentacles around Reid and squeezed. “Who is this?”
Thane’s gaze locked with Reid’s.
“I’m Kell.”
Reid willed his hands not to shake as he switched the call to speakerphone. “Kell, where’s Lauren?”
“Safe for now.” Mocking arrogance laced the man’s tone. “You and I need to talk.”
“We can talk about anything you want but not until you let Lauren go.”
“Well, well. I did pick the right bargaining chip. Lauren claimed you weren’t interested in her.”
Reid tried to swallow, but all the moisture had dried from his mouth. He’d left Lauren unprotected. He should have made sure she made it back to the cabin. “I’m the one you want. Tell me where you are and I’ll come to you.”
“We’re at the cabin.”
Shit. Had this maniac followed her home?
“I’m on my way.” Phasing power threatened to burst from Reid’s pores. “But, Kell, if you hurt a hair on her head, put a mark on her skin, or do anything to make her scream again, I will hunt you to the ends of the Earth and end you.”
Kell chuckled. “Ends of the Earth. I’ve been there and I don’t plan on going back. As far as ending me, someone already tried and it didn’t work. Lauren will be there, angel. See you at the cabin.”
“He’s a fucking lunatic!” Reid paced along the tree line. “You heard it in his voice. This isn’t a straight-up trade. He’s not going to let her walk.”
“Which is why you can’t phase in there like a wild man. We’re going after this bastard.” Restraint shaded the anger in Thane’s tone. “But we’re doing it with a solid plan. You’re phasing, so you can be there in seconds. We have time to work this through. Now think. Kell. Have you heard his name before? Does Lauren know who he is? Do you?”
“Why the hell would I know him? I shouldn’t have left her alone. I should have picked up on him being around her and done something about it.”
“You’re wasting time. Blaming yourself doesn’t help Lauren. Focusing on who this guy is will.”
Reid met Thane’s hard gaze. He forced a calming breath and shoved away a vision of the things Kell could do to cause Lauren’s screams. “No, and Lauren’s never mentioned him. Aside from her, I’ve only been in contact with you and Celine.”
“Is he associated with the mission?”