Page 15 of Kidnapping of a Myth

“I know.”

“We’re dealing with something beyond my ability to handle alone, and maybe he’ll have an idea how to proceed without making it look like the police are involved. If The Tinker is watching us, perhaps Griffin and Gold can come here dressed as civilians?”

“Excessive people on the property will raise suspicions, but I agree.” Eamon finished rolling up her sleeves and captured the front of the shirt in his fist to tug her against his bare chest. “I was seconds away from losing you again. It was one thing when we were helping Wendy, but this is personal now. This man tried to kill the person I love most in this world. I don’t want to harm the Darling boys, but I’m no longer comfortable involving you unless it’s in an official capacity with adequate backup. Call whoever you need.”

“Griffin will—” The telltale crunch of tires on gravel interrupted the peace, and they froze as a car appeared around the distant bend in the lane. It came from the direction of the main road, and before Bel realized he was moving, Eamon pulled a pair of black jeans and a tee shirt out of his suitcase. He slipped them on behind the privacy of the open trunk, cursing as his eyes registered what was driving toward them.

“Police,” he whispered.

“What?” Bel peaked around the car, and it was her turn to curse as she watched the vehicle park a few yards from them. “Calling Griffin and making a plan is one thing, but a stranger? We need to get him out of here.” She patted her waist before cursing again. “I don’t have my badge. How are we going to get rid of him?”

“Do you recognize him?” Eamon asked as he strode to the driver’s side door.

“No,” she said as Eamon pluck something out of the center console. “And if The Tinker is watching, this squad car is a giant target.”

“Here.” Eamon shoved the object he pulled from his car into her hands, and Bel hadn’t realized how naked she’d felt without her badge until he placed it in her palm. “Did you really think I’d let you walk into an emergency without this?” He squeezed her hand around the badge and then patted her arm encouragingly. “Just because I asked you to hide your title didn’t mean I thought arriving unprepared was wise.”

“Thank you.” Bel gripped his wrist, returning his gesture of affection, and strode toward the cop, plastering an authoritative expression she didn’t truly believe on her face.

“Hello, Miss.” The officer stepped out of his vehicle with a wary smile. “A driver passing the estate called 911, stating they heard an explosion coming from the property. I work in the next town over, but I live close, so dispatch requested I check it out. Have you—” He paused as his gaze fell to her stained hands. He registered the blood in her hair a second later, and his eyes flicked to Eamon. Unease flooded his features at the sight of the towering man glaring at them, and with a step back toward his car, he met Bel’s gaze as if she were a wounded animal about to be devoured by a wolf.

“Miss, if you’re in danger but can’t say so, please blink twice,” he whispered, but Eamon grunted behind her, his heightened hearing registering the officer’s misguided concern.

“What’s your name, officer?” Bel asked, extending her badge so only he could see it. She couldn’t remember the name of the town that bordered this estate, but she knew it was tiny. Its police department probably consisted of a handful of officers and a sweet lady who answered the phones. They would be woefully unprepared to help.

“Boyd Lost.”

“Officer Lost, I’m Detective Isobel Emerson, Bajka Police. I need you to get back in your car and leave the property immediately.”

“Are you in trouble?”

“You can’t be here.” Bel stepped forward, corralling the man toward his vehicle. “I’m working a case, and your presence jeopardizes my situation. I need you to leave.”

“Are you sure you don’t need help? Should I call someone?” Officer Lost sat down hard on his seat, and Bel pushed the door closed to reinforce her order.

“Everything’s under control,” she said, and the strength in her voice almost convinced her it was. “Thank you for your concern, and have a good day, officer.”

“But—”

She shut the door in his face, terminating the conversation, and walked to Eamon. She sighed in relief when she heard Officer Lost retreat down the lane, and as if he read her mind, Eamon slipped gracefully into the driver’s seat and started the ignition.

He aimed the car for the house, but neither of them spoke as he increased their speed. They didn’t need to. They both understood the stakes, the threat that the clueless Officer Boyd Lost had introduced to the equation, and they needed to alertWendy and contact Griffin before a simple call from a concerned citizen spelled death for the Darling brothers.

Eamon’s driving had them skidding to a stop before the mansion minutes later. They both leaped from the car the second he threw it into park, but they barely made it more than a few steps when an enraged Henry exploded from the house.

“Who is she?” he shouted, aiming for Bel, and Eamon instinctively stepped in front of her. “Who did you bring onto our property? What have you done?”

“We told you no police,but you brought one into our midst, and now my wife’s brothers are going to die!” Henry stormed toward Eamon as if he planned to fight the larger man.

“What are you talking about?” Bel asked from behind Eamon’s protective stance. “What happened?”

“I got another email!” Wendy chased after her husband, her movements as hysterical as her voice. “It was from him. He warned what would happen if we disobeyed, and he’s been watching us. He claims we’ve had contact with the police, and now the boys will pay.”

“Can I see the email?” Bel shoved past Eamon, instinct taking control of her actions.

“I trusted you to help me, but you’ve killed my brothers!” Wendy screamed, deaf to the question. “How could you—Is that blood?” She stilled, her eyes landing on Bel’s hands. “Oh my god!” A wail exploded from her, and she grabbed Bel’s wrists to keep from falling. “They’re dead, aren’t they? He killed them.”

“It’s mine.” Eamon’s deep voice echoed with such power that the entire group froze. Wendy instantly fell silent, and Eamon peeled her grip from Bel’s arm and wrapped the hysterical blonde in his embrace. “The blood’s mine, and Bel isn’t to blame. A commuter called the police after hearing the explosion, and an officer arrived to investigate. We sent him away, but The Tinker must have seen his squad car.”

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