Page 107 of Hero's Prize

“It’s Colton. If I don’t answer, he’s going to know something’s wrong.”

If Tony would just let her answer, she could yell that he was here.

“Fine. But if you warn him or mention my name, the next place I’m going is to visit your pregnant sister.” She let out a gasp as he continued. “That’s right, I did my homework about you too. You say anything to Colton now, and that baby will never be born.”

She held back a sob. “Okay.”

“Put it on speaker.” He pressed the muzzle of the gun against the back of her head as she answered the phone.

“H-hello.”

“I know you’re mad, but I have to talk to you.”

“Colton, you need to leave me alone.”

“Don’t say that, Butterscotch. I’m almost?—”

“I have one thing I want to say to you.” She cut him off before he could finish the sentence and reveal to Tony how close by he was. “I want you to listen for once.”

She knew she was coming across as harsh, but there was no way around it.

“Okay. Say what you need to say.”

This was so tricky. She didn’t want to be so sharp that he turned around and went home. Then all she would’ve done was sign her own death warrant. But she was also convinced that Tony was completely unstable.

He was talking like he would do anything for Colton, but the truth was, he was after his own glory. If Colton came in here and spoiled his plan, then he wouldn’t hesitate to take Colton out also. He might monologue about it for a long time, but he’d eventually kill Colton along with Ella.

“Just leave me alone. I need time. I am out here in nature trying to figure out what I want.”

“I know that, but?—”

A painting of a field of flowers on the wall gave her an idea. “I just want to be out here with the larkspurs, Colton. We talked about that. How they are my favorite flowers and they bring me peace. I picked some, and having them nearby is helping me think through some stuff. Right now, I just need time with these beautiful flowers and nothing else.”

She was rambling, not making much sense. She could only hope Colton would pick up what she was throwing down.

There was silence for a few seconds. “You want a chance to be with your larkspurs alone. That’s understandable. I can respect that. But I hope we can talk when you’re ready.”

She had no idea if he understood or not based on that response. But there was nothing else she could do.

“Goodbye, Colton.” She disconnected the call.

“Very nicely done. I honestly expected you to start yelling your head off. It wouldn’t have saved you, but it definitely would’ve made my life harder.”

“Don’t do this, Tony. We can find another way. Sit Colton down and explain your plan to him. He may want it too. We can?—”

“No. The time for talking has passed. It’s time to say goodbye, Ella.”

CHAPTER

THIRTY-SIX

Colton was dialing Callum Webb as soon as Ella disconnected the call. He turned off his flashlight as he walked through the dark woods. He couldn’t take a chance that Tony might see him out here.

Because Tony was very definitely with Ella. Colton had no doubt she’d been trying to warn him with her talk about larkspurs.

“Colton, we still don’t have any word on Tony. He did not come to the sporting goods?—”

“I know. He’s at the cabin with Ella near Fairytale, Colorado.”

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