Page 31 of Shrouded Past

Piper stared at the broken window and tried to understand what it was about her that was so important someone was willing to kill to get to her.

“We’ll figure it out,” Bryce told her as if he’d read her thoughts.

She wanted to believe him. “How are we supposed to do that? We have no idea what’s happening.”

He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “Yet. We don’t know those things yet.”

All the anger and fear went out of her. He wasn’t giving up. How could she?

Piper forced a smile. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he said quietly. “You’ve lived this a lot longer than I have.”

If her kidnapper hadn’t crashed into the tree on Bryce’s road . . .

If Bryce hadn’t driven past at just that moment . . .

Protector would have said it was God’s providence that everything had hit at just the right moment. Their fight and the car crash.

Thank You, God.

“JT and the team are heading over now. He has a suggestion for a safe house.” He hesitated, and Piper could see there was more news.

“What is it?” she asked, dreading his answer.

“The police in Michigan found the house where you were being held. An older man was inside. He’s deceased.”

Unexpected tears stung her eyes. She’d imagined him as the monster for taking her from her family and feeding her stories about how bad they were. Now she wondered if Protector had truly been trying to do what was best for her. He claimed her family had hurt Marina though he never explained who Marina was.

Because of her, Protector was dead. Bryce had almost died. How many other victims would there be before the truth came to light?

Chapter Six

“This is a secure location,” JT assured them. “You should be safe here. The community consists of only a handful of houses along the bay area, and there’s only one way into it.”

Rachel told them that their good friends had agreed to let them use their home as a safe house. “Todd and Michelle are vacationing in Greece right now. When they heard about your problem, they were happy to help.”

JT turned onto the road along the bay area. Though the upcoming storm had some of the view blocked, peek-a-boo glimpses of the ocean showed an angry Atlantic churning up foamy waves.

Bryce’s truck would remain at Liz’s place for now. At any other time, Bryce would have enjoyed the ride. He hadn’t been to this part of the island before. Unfortunately, with the danger stalking them around every corner, the beauty of their surroundings went unappreciated.

He could feel the tension spiraling in the woman at his side. Piper held onto Bella, absently stroking her fur as if a million miles away, while Bella purred, oblivious to the danger coming after them. Bella had lived through her own nightmare. She was just happy to be with people who cared about her.

JT slowed the Suburban in front of an ornate gate. He rolled the window down and punched in a code. The gate swung open. He eased the vehicle into the neighborhood.

Bryce made sure it closed behind them. Sure, he realized it was the paranoia setting in, but after the multiple attacks he and Piper had gone through, he wouldn’t put anything past the kidnapper at this point.

“Todd and Michelle’s house is the last in this subdivision. Each house has a five-acre lot so you’ll have some privacy.” JT glanced toward Bryce in the rearview. “I’m not sure that’s a good thing considering what happened at my sister’s.”

A few inches difference, and Bryce might have died. He had no doubt that was what the shooter had hoped.

Rachel turned in her seat to smile at him. “JT and I will stay here for a while to make sure things are safe before we head home to the kids. The team is actively working the case. How are you holding up, Piper?”

Piper seemed to force an answer. “I’m wishing I could remember something about my past that might help us understand what’s happening now.”

Bryce squeezed her arm. “Your memories will come back. In time.”

She gave a half-hearted smile. “I hope you’re right.”

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