Page 127 of Theirs to Take

“We’ll find him. I’m sure that he just got sidetracked on his way over to your place. I’ll call Luke Tracy now and ask him to locate Evan. I’ll let you know when we have news,” Rod promised.

“Thanks, Rod,” Carrie said. She ended the call and looked back out of the peephole to see that the hallway was still empty. It was going to kill her to follow Rod’s orders and stay in her apartment, but she wouldn’t put her baby at risk. She knew Alastair, and if he had guys watching her place, he would show up again sooner or later, and she wasn’t about to let him get his hands on her or her baby.

The soft knock at her door just before bedtime startled her. She wasn’t going to be able to sleep anyway, since she had no news from Rod or Alex, but she at least planned on laying down to rest for a bit. She pulled on her robe and looked out the peephole to see Luke Tracy standing in the hallway. Carrie quickly pulled the door open, fearing that Luke was there to give her some bad news.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, opening the door to him.

“I’m not sure,” Luke admitted. “I got a call from Rod a few hours ago that Evan wasn’t answering his cell phone and I stopped by his place, but his car isn’t there and no one seems to be at home.”

“Where is he then?” she asked. “Does anyone know where Alastair is?”

“No,” Luke admitted, “unfortunately, we lost him, but I picked up three of his guys in the parking garage downstairs and they are being questioned by the local authorities. I also questioned one of Evan’s neighbors and they said that they sawhim come home from work early today. Then, they said that a man with long, dark hair drove his car out of his garage hours later, but there was no sign of Evan.”

“Oh, God,” she breathed, “that sounds like Alastair.”

“I thought so too,” he said. “So, I showed Evan’s neighbor a picture of Alastair that Alex sent me when we found out that he was in town. She confirmed that it was him. I’m sorry, Carrie, but we just don’t know where Evan is right now.”

“Has anyone gone into his house?” she asked. “If he wasn’t in the car, maybe Alastair left him there and took his car when he realized that I wasn’t there.”

“My cop friend is getting a warrant to search Evan’s house. We can’t just break in, even if we do believe that there has been foul play.”

“Right, but can you let yourself in with my key to his house?” she asked.

“I can,” Luke admitted.

“Great,” she breathed, pulling her purse from the hook by the door. “Here is the key and you have my permission to go in, but only if I can come with you.”

“Not a chance,” Luke said. “Alex will kill me if I let you go with me. If Alastair has set a trap and I’m walking into it, I don’t want you with me.”

“I’m not safe anywhere that I go,” she insisted. “I just need to know that Evan’s all right. Please.”

Poor Luke didn’t seem to know what to say to her pleas. “Fine,” he sighed. “You can go with me, but you will do exactly what I tell you to do—got it?” he asked.

“Yep,” Carrie agreed. “I will follow your instructions to the letter.”

He shook his head at her and smiled, “Get your coat so that we can get out of here.” She didn’t even bother to ask him if she should change. Carrie didn’t want to waste the time doing so.She pulled her jacket over her robe and put her purse up onto her shoulder.

“Ready,” she said.

“You sure?” he asked, looking over her crazy outfit.

“We’re wasting time,” she grumbled. “I’m not going to change my clothes while Evan might need us.” She was sure that time was of the essence and getting over to his house was going to be the only way to help him—she just felt it in her bones.

“Stick close to me,” Luke said as they pulled up to Evan’s house. “And if we encounter anyone besides Evan, you stay behind me. Got it?”

“Yes,” she agreed, “don’t worry, Luke. I’m not a hero and I’d never do anything to put my baby in danger.”

“Good to know,” Luke said. He pulled his gun from his holster, and she gasped.

“Is that really necessary?” she asked.

“Completely,” he said, “Alex didn’t want me to tell you this, but Alastair shot one of my men.”

“Oh, God,” Carrie breathed.

“He’s going to be all right, but your ex has really stepped up his game in trying to find you. Unfortunately, we’re not dealing with a stable man. Alastair has gone crazy trying to find you.”

“I’m sorry that this has caused you so much trouble, Luke,” she said. “But I appreciate your help.”

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