Marked by the Marshal by Julie Anne Lindsey

Author:Julie Anne Lindsey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-11-08T19:40:15+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Kara launched from the bed, her limbs weak and clumsy with shock. “We have to go.” She swung her arm out for Ryder, but her hand collided with the tote she’d so carefully packed instead. Keepsakes and treasured memories scattered across her bedroom floor with a crash. “Oh!” she squeaked, jumping wide and tangling her feet in an attempt not to step on the beloved contents.

Ryder’s long arm snaked out to catch her as her knees weakened. His lean frame was beside her in seconds, pulling her against him. “Stop.” His voice was low and even, but his grip was firm.

She stood, shell-shocked, as a fist of emotion punched through her chest, and the world tilted. “Come on. Hurry!” Kara tried to take another step forward, but Ryder wouldn’t be moved.

His sinewy arms tightened around her middle. “Kara,” he said coolly. “Wait.”

“Wait for what?” she snapped, jerking herself free. “For him to kill her?” Bile flooded her tongue, rejecting the words. A bead of sweat broke on her forehead.

“No.” Ryder shook his head slowly, purposefully. “But we can’t just run off and lead him straight to her.”

Kara considered the notion. “He’s already there,” she croaked through a constricting throat. “He saw her hat and booties.”

“We don’t know that,” Ryder said, “and we can’t take a liar’s word.”

Kara worked to relax her stance. “Then, what?”

“Well, first, we can’t get overemotional and react to his stimuli. That’s how he wins. He sets up the scene he wants to unfold, then waits while we rush in and act it out for him, and we can’t afford to do that.”

Kara’s limbs had stilled, bur her heart and lungs worked double-time beneath her rib cage, pinching and aching with each wild thump. “I think he’s got her. Ryder. He’s got my baby girl.”

“My parents would have called.”

“What if they can’t.” Horror and nausea pulled at her core. “I sent Casey away to keep her safe, and now she’s the one in danger.” The words were whispers, barely audible against the ringing in her ears. “He knew what Casey was wearing.”

He struck a match.

Kara clamped a hand over her mouth. “I’m going to be sick.” She raced to the adjoining bathroom and retched until it hurt to breathe.

Ryder lowered to his knees beside her. He pulled her hair away from her face and offered a wet washcloth for her thrumming head. “I’ve already spoken with West. I was on the phone with him when I heard Sand on your line. He had just checked on Casey. Mom and Aunt Susie are playing peek-a-boo with her in the den. It’s in the center of the house with multiple exit options from that point. Dad’s got it covered. Casey’s okay.” He cupped her face in his confident hands, bringing their gazes to meet. “There’s no one at Susie’s farm who shouldn’t be, and West is on his way for added cover. Just in case.”

Kara wanted his words to be true, but what if he was wrong? “He has to be near.

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