from one of Dad’s client’s servers. There are no other sites on his computer and I want to scream.
Until…
I keep thinking back to the man who ran the event. Surely there is a lead there. He’d only referred to himself as “Buck” and we’d never met in the flesh, but he’d mentioned that proceeds from the event would go to his wife’s pediatric association at the hospital. I do remember the hospital name he’d spoken of when we’d talked over the phone. A few searches later and I’ve found her hospital, name, and husband.
Forrester “Buck” Whitehead.
And the very first thing that shows up on his Facebook page is a link to his obituary.
My stomach flops as I follow the link dated last week.
Murdered.
In his office.
Items stolen from his files.
“Fuck!”
I’m out of my seat and stalking out of the office without a backward glance.
“Baylee!” I call as I stride down the hallway. “Baylee, we have a serious fucking problem!”
When I round the corner, I freeze.
My Baylee, my sweet fucking Baylee, is crying silent tears. Her eyes, which were happy ones just moments ago, are pleading for help now, as the monster I hoped to only meet again in hell stands there, in my foyer. He holds his hand over her mouth with one hand, his other bulky arm tight around her waist, a gun in its grip. Her back is against his chest and she breathes heavily.
“Let go of her,” I snarl, fisting my hands at my sides. I briefly contemplate what I could use for a weapon. My quick assessment of my surroundings yields nothing and my heart sinks. “How did you get in here?”
He laughs, the sound dark and evil, and digs the gun into her ribs. “I knocked on the fucking door. My baby opened it right up for me.”
She must’ve thought he was Dad.
Jesus.
Tears roll down her bright red cheeks and she apologizes with her eyes. My Baylee.
“Let go of her.”
He shakes his head. “Actually, Warren McPherson, I will not let go of her. She’s mine. Always was and always will be.”
I start for him but he halts me with his words.
“Take another step and I’ll put a bullet in her skull. Just like Mom. Isn’t that right? Your mom blew her fucking brains out all over you. That’s what made you into such a goddamned nut job?”
Bile rises in my throat and I can almost feel the sticky residue on my flesh. “Gabe, please. If you want money, I can give you fucking money. You can have it all. Just please don’t hurt her. Leave us and we won’t tell a soul.”
He drags the barrel of his gun along her rib cage and then between her breasts toward her throat. She whimpers but he doesn’t take his hand from her mouth. “I don’t want your fucking money. I already have millions from you, asshole. That shit doesn’t compare to the tightness of this little one’s ass. Some things, money can’t buy. Time’s up. Baylee’s coming home with me.”
I charge for him but he shoves the barrel inside of her mouth. Jesus Fucking Christ. If that gun goes off. My Baylee will be… She’ll be…
Images of what damage the bullet could do to her horrify me. I claw at my head in an attempt to run them away from my mind. There’d be no way she’d survive. Her blood would splatter the wall behind them—like Mom’s coated the front of me that day she delivered Constance too soon.
So.
Much.
Fucking.
Blood.
“D-Don’t…” I clench my eyes closed. I don’t know what the fuck to do!
“Open your eyes, asshole. You need to see this.”
I open my eyes and glare at him. Her eyes stay on mine as she sobs. I’ve never seen her so terrified—so upset. It scares the shit out of me. I want her smiles back, goddammit!
“Suck on the barrel, Baylee. Let’s show your boyfriend how you always obey me,” he murmurs against her hair. “How you’re my good girl.”
She shakes her head, but he rams the gun deeper inside making her gag. The morning sun pours in through the windows and blankets them, causing her blonde hair to shimmer in the light. Every bit an angel in the devil’s grip. I want to save her. Save my angel that saved me. I want to grab him by the throat and throw him off the balcony. To take his gun from him and paint the sand the color of his blood from his head.
The sound of Gabe’s sinister growl fills