Page 67 of Hero's Prize

“You okay, honey?” Lilah asked.

No. “Yeah. I think I’ll be wanting to turn in soon, so we might have to wrap up the search for tonight.”

“Oh, I thought Colton said you guys were going to dance.”

She couldn’t stand thought of eyes on her right now and what everyone might be thinking if they were dancing together. “I’m tired, and I’m a terrible dancer anyway.”

“Elly-Belly…”

God, she hated that name. “I’ll catch you later, Li. Thanks for being here tonight and helping Colton out.”

She didn’t see Colton at their table and wasn’t sure where he’d gone. She let out a surprised yelp when an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her against a hard body. “Dance with me, Butterscotch.”

She couldn’t seem to find the words to say no, so she let him pull her onto the dance floor. It was a slow dance, so he tucked her against him.

She could feel eyes on her. Knew everyone was looking and wondering and judging.

“Hey. You okay?” he asked.

“I…” She had no idea what to say.

“Whatever it is, just tell me. It’s better for us to talk it out than let?—”

She wasn’t sure what he was going to say because Theo rushed up to them.

“Colton, Callum just caught someone putting something on your truck. It’s a foot chase outside.”

“I’m coming.” Colton squeezed her waist. “Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, he was gone, walking as fast as he could out the door without causing a huge scene.

Leaving Ella alone on the dance floor with everyone looking at her.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FOUR

As soon as he and Theo hit the door of the Eagle’s Nest, they were running. Colton got the comms unit out of his pocket, flipped it to automatic so he could talk freely, and stuck it in his ear.

“Somebody update me.”

“Suspect moved toward your truck,” Callum said. “We didn’t realize what we had on our hands until she stuck a letter and picture in the crack of the door. She took off when we approached. Heading south on Grant Street. I’m in my vehicle. Lincoln is on foot.”

“She’s fast.” Lincoln’s labored breathing punctuated the words.

If Lincoln was saying she was fast, it was no joke. The other man might be a computer genius, but he also kept himself in top physical shape.

“There’s only so much I can do in a vehicle,” Callum said. “Too many side roads and alleys in town.”

“Theo and I are coming on foot.” Colton pushed himself for more speed. He wasn’t going to let her get away, no matter how fast she was.

“I had Derek and Lilah stay at the bar with Ella, just in case.” Theo was right next to Colton, step for step.

Knowing Ella was protected allowed Colton to just focus on thechase. This woman might be ahead of them—and fast—but she didn’t know Oak Creek the way they did. They would use that to their advantage.

“Linc, see if you can get her to cut down Broadmoor. That will eventually lead to a dead end,” he said.

“Colton is right,” Callum added. “Lincoln, actually, if you get her to cut down any side street south of Main, I’ll be there to cut her off.”

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