Page 74 of Mountain Hero

Thomas didn’t choose Enzo’s store because he thought it would be easy to rob. He did it because he was paid to.

Without thinking, I blurt out, “You paid Thomas to burn down Enzo’s store, didn’t you?”

There’s a long pause; long enough to think I won’t get an answer.

Then he says, “Yes. I did.” Scowling, he adds, “But then the dumb fuck screwed it up. Had to go into hiding. And then, of course, my cousin added security. So I couldn’t get close to the house or store after that.”

My rage heats to an inferno. This asshole wanted to burn down Enzo’s store? The house? What if we were inside? I pin jerkface cousin with my gaze. “Why? Why would you do that?”

“First, to convince him to sell.” It’s said like the most obvious thing. “But now, that’s not going to work. So I had to come up with another plan.”

I have a terrible feeling I know what that is. “What are you going to do?”

His lips peel back, baring his teeth in a malevolent grin. “You’ll see. He should be here soon, and you’ll get to see everything.”

CHAPTER 20

ENZO

My fear is a living thing.

I’ve always been able to control it before. Corral it. Channel it into something useful.

I’m trying. But each time I try to shove it down, it comes right back. Clawing. Choking. Forcing terrible, unwanted thoughts into my head.

What if Winter is being hurt?

What if the person who has her is touching her? Violating her?

Can my brave Winter handle being held captive again?

She’s strong, but even she has a breaking point.

And the worst fear of all.

What if I’m too late?

“She’s going to be okay.”

As I turn to glance at Gage, who’s sitting in the passenger seat next to me, he continues in a low, reassuring tone, “Winter is strong. She can do this. And we’re nearly there. We’ll get her out. It’s going to be okay.”

“You don’t know that.” My voice is tight. Frayed. A band only moments from snapping.

From the middle seat, Alec says, “Based on what we know, Winter’s being used as leverage to get you there. To get you to do something. So it wouldn’t make sense for them to—” He cuts himself off. “Anyway. We have every reason to believe she’s okay. Don’t assume the worst.”

“How can I not?” My molars grind painfully. “Someone took her. You saw the photo. She’s tied up. Bleeding. And she’s so scared?—”

“Not badly hurt,” Knox interrupts. “Her injuries match what would happen during the struggle to take her. It didn’t look like anything else had been done to her.”

“Back then, maybe,” I snap. “But it’s been over half an hour. Who knows what could have happened since then.”

Shit.

The horrible possibilities keep bombarding me, each one worse than the last.

Winter badly beaten. Her delicate bones broken, possibly bleeding internally. Her clothes torn off; rough hands touching her.

And she must be so scared.

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