Page 50 of Caught in the Crossfire

Brian’s eyes narrowed. “Like someone had picked the locks?”

He nodded. “The new locks are reputed to be more difficult to pick.”

“Looks like we’re going to find out if that’s true. Good job, Mase. Go home. I know you’re anxious to check on Nicole.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll wait until you’re ready to go.”

Brian’s eyebrows soared. “You’re worried about my safety?”

“Is there anything I can do to help you finish?”

“I’m just packing up. I won’t be more than ten minutes.”

Mason helped his boss store nails and screws, and pack tools. Once Brian climbed into his truck, Mason opened his vehicle door and climbed inside.

After cranking his engine, he finished half the soft drink in a bottle in his cup holder, and started the drive to Linc’s home, thankful he carried his own type of Go bag with changes of clothes and survival supplies in case of trouble. Rio had stressed being prepared for anything since Mason began training with the teams.

Halfway to his destination, fatigue hit him in a hard wave. He blinked as dizziness assailed him and the world spun.

Lights flashed in his rearview mirror, blinding him momentarily. Something was wrong. Seriously wrong. Shouldn’t drive. He finally managed to slide his foot off the accelerator. Steering to the side of the road took an enormous amount of effort and too much time.

Gear. Put the truck in park. Couldn’t drive anyway. Four tries later, he shoved the gear into park. Vision blurring, he fumbled for his cell phone. Stared at it, confused. Nicole. He needed Nicole.

Mason squinted, straining to read the names on his list. He touched a finger to her name.

When she answered with a cheery, “Hi, sweetheart. Are you on your way to Linc’s?”

He couldn’t respond. Tried three times before he finally said, “Help me.” The phone slipped from his grasp and the world went black.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Alarm roared through Nicole. “Mason?” Nothing. “Mason, answer me.” Wide-eyed, she spun to stare at her current bodyguard who watched her with increasing concern.

Linc took the phone from her hand and tapped the speaker button. “Mase, it’s Linc. What’s going on?”

Silence.

“Mason, answer me,” he snapped, sounding like a drill sergeant in the military.

Still nothing. Terrified for Mason, Nicole clutched Linc’s arm. “The truck’s engine is still running. I can hear it. We have to help him but we don’t know where he is. What can we do?”

Dawn wrapped her hand around Nicole’s free one. “We’ll find him. He was probably on his way here from the job site.”

“Sure, but how many different routes could he take?” They had to find him as soon as possible. If Mason was critically ill and they chose the wrong route, he could die.

Her breath froze in her lungs. No, she couldn’t think that or she’d fall apart. That wasn’t an option. Mason needed her to be strong, to think logically. “Can Fortress help?”

Linc grabbed his cell phone. When his call was answered, he said, “It’s Linc Creed. You’re on speaker with Nicole Copeland and Dawn Metcalf. Mason Kincaid’s in trouble.” He rattled off Mason’s cell phone number. “Ping his cell signal.”

“Hold.”

While they waited for the man to return with information, Linc turned to Nicole. “What did Mason say before I put him on speaker?”

“‘Help me.’” She frowned, fighting to think past the panic threatening to swallow her whole. “He sounded off.”

“Explain.”

“His words were slurred.” She narrowed her eyes at Linc. “He’d never drink and drive.” Not after the accident that took the life of a mother and child. Her groom-to-be still grieved the loss of life from his decision years ago.

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