Page 53 of Salacious Devotion

I grab the phone and call Dane.

“Whatcha got, Paige?”

“He’s going to hide in the national forest.”

“Okay. Can you see where I am? Where’s the best place to get off the highway?”

It makes my heart pitter-patter that Dane never questions me. He trusts me. He takes my word and moves on it.

I pull up Dane’s location and compare it with the enlarged map on one of my many screens. “Three miles. Exit and go right.”

“Got it. Then what? What are you thinking, baby?”

“I think he’ll find a remote place to park and walk into the forest on foot. But, Dane, I bet you’re right behind him. If I’m right, and he gets off at that same exit, you can catch up with him.”

“Got it.”

I look at JT’s and Brant’s locations. “I’ll tell JT to keep going northwest in case I’m wrong, and I’ll send Brant south.”

“Sounds good. Wait! Holy fuck. I see him. He just got off at the same exit you sent me to. Get JT and Brant to head this way.”

“Okay, but don’t fucking hang up. Stay on the line, Dane,” I order before I switch over and call JT.

“This is JT.”

I waste no time rattling off the exit I want him to take and then hang up and do the same with Brant. In twenty seconds, I’m back on the call with Dane. “Talk to me, Dane.”

“I’m keeping my distance, but I have my eyes on him. How far out are JT and Brant?”

I look at their locations. “JT is about five minutes. Brant is twenty.”

“I’ll wait for JT then. I don’t want to confront Tombeck alone.”

Thank fuck. I’d strangle Dane if he did that on his own. “I’ll keep you updated, but what are you going to do?” My voice squeaks a bit. This is it. My man is going to confront my killer. And do what? The fucker is armed. He’s very dangerous. He will not hesitate to shoot. If he even suspects someone is following him, he’s likely to slam on his brakes and mow down Dane’s car until it careens off the road.

I try not to think morbid thoughts. I can tell by the map the road is about to get windy and rugged. At this moment, Dane is going below the speed limit, but what will he do when JT gets closer?

“Dane…” He hasn’t answered me.

“I don’t know yet, baby. Right now, my goal is to keep him in my line of sight.”

JT is driving much faster, and he’s close to Dane in no time. “JT is on your tail, Dane.”

“Got it. Gonna hang up, baby.”

I go completely rigid and shout, “No, you’re not fucking hanging up on me. You don’t have to talk to me, but leave the damn line open, Dane.”

“Okay. Okay. Bossy.” He mutters that last part. Does he think he’s funny?

I’m pacing while I watch Dane and JT get closer to each other and to Tombeck on the screen in front of me. Thank God I was able to pull the make, model, and plates yesterday. It’s making our lives much easier today.

“He’s speeding up,” Dane informs me.

I don’t respond. He doesn’t need me bothering him. I have to trust he knows what he’s doing and let him do what he’s good at.

“What’s your plan, asshole?” Dane mutters. I know he’s not asking me.

I stare at the screen, not blinking.

---