in return. We’re happy to help.”
“I want to design and make a dress for her. Will you help me?”
His expression softened. “All right. I’ll email the information you need to Rafe.”
“That works. Thanks.”
“No pressure, though, all right? I won’t tell Darcy what you plan to do. If you don’t have time, it’s fine. Your first priority is to heal.” He sobered. “Will you talk to a trauma counselor?”
“I talked to Marcus Lang for two hours yesterday. He said I could call him when I need him.”
“Good. Take him up on it. Talking to him will help you process what happened.”
The rest of Wolf Pack came down the stairs and began loading the SUVs. Rafe laid his hand on Kristi’s back. “Ready to go?”
She nodded. “I have a busy day ahead. The sooner I’m back in Bakerhill, the better.”
“Anything beyond work?”
“I need to see Dad and talk to Hugh.”
“Cal and Jackson will stop by the hotel to pick up your luggage and SUV. They need your key fob.”
Relief flooded her face. “I’ll call the front desk and have them tell security to let Cal and Jackson have my belongings. My key fob is in my purse.” She turned to Rio. “Thank you for sharing your home with me, Rio. Please pass my thanks on to Darcy. I’ll return the clothes she let me borrow.”
“No problem, sugar. Take care of yourself.” Rio clapped Rafe on the shoulder. “Watch your back, frog boy.”
“Yes, sir.” He led Kristi to his SUV, tucked her inside his vehicle, then rounded the hood and slid into the driver’s seat. Rafe cranked the engine and pulled out of Rio’s driveway to take the lead in their caravan.
When they were on Highway 18, Rafe unlocked his phone and handed it to Kristi. “Call the Sandoval. We’re about an hour from the hotel.”
Her call was answered a moment later, a man’s voice streaming into the cabin through Rafe’s Bluetooth connection. “Carlos, it’s Kristi Stewart.”
“Ms. Stewart, we heard about the kidnapping. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I need a favor.”
“Name it.”
“Two friends will stop by the hotel in an hour to retrieve my SUV and my belongings. Will you have one of the security officers let them into the suite?”
“Let me transfer your call to the security team. They’ll need to hear the request directly from you.”
Elevator music filled the SUV’s cabin until a deep voice said, “Charles Russell.”
“Charles, this is Kristi Stewart. I need a favor.”
“Ms. Stewart! You’re free. Thank God. First, though, I want you to know how deeply we regret the incident.”
Rafe’s hands tightened around the steering wheel. Incident? She’d been kidnapped on this man’s watch.
“I want to reassure you that we’ve been working hard to revamp security, and nothing like that will ever happen again. I personally guarantee that you’ll be safe in our hotel. If you’re concerned about your safety the next time you stay with us, I will sit outside your suite myself to ensure you have a restful, safe stay.”
“I appreciate the offer.”
“Now, what do you need?”
“Two friends of mine will stop by the hotel in an hour to retrieve my luggage and my SUV.”
“Are you talking about Hugh Ward?”
Rafe frowned.
“The names of my friends are Cal and Jackson. Why did you mention Hugh?”
“He’s been driving us crazy, demanding updates on the investigation into your kidnapping. I’m surprised you haven’t talked to him already.”
“Why? He’s only a friend.”
A pause, then, “That’s not what he says. Mr. Ward informed us that you’re engaged to him.”
“You’ve been misinformed, Charles. I’m not marrying Hugh. Will you assist my friends when they arrive?”
“Of course. Have them ask for me at the front desk. I’ll escort them personally to the suite.”
After Kristi asked the security chief about the wellbeing of his family, she ended the call and handed Rafe his phone.
He contacted Cal and passed along the security chief’s instructions, then slid his phone into his pocket. When Rafe glanced at Kristi, he wrapped his hand around hers. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t understand why Hugh told Charles we were engaged. He promised to let me think about his proposal.”
“Yeah, and you know now he’s growing desperate. This might be a way of getting more information where otherwise the security team would have refused to tell him anything.”
“Apparently, they didn’t know my condition, either.”
“Sounds like that, doesn’t it?”
She twisted in her seat. “You think Charles faked being surprised?”
“At this point, I don’t trust anyone.”
“What would Charles have to gain by planning or participating in my kidnapping?”
“Five million dollars is more