Page 144 of Montana Manhunt

“Not nice, Violet,” he crooned. “I don’t want you to fight back. I like you helpless and desperately trying to figure out a way to save yourself. You won’t, by the way. They never do.”

She snorted. “You can’t handle one woman by yourself unless she’s immobile. Some tough guy you are.”

The smile faded from his mouth. He gripped the hilt of the knife tighter, cheeks flushing. The sound of heavy footsteps distracted Jeff.

Seconds later, James Hanson lumbered into the room. His eyebrow rose. “You started without me.”

“Couldn’t wait. She’s so beautiful, Dad.” He licked his lips as his gaze drifted slowly over Violet. “Just like Camilla.”

Goosebumps surged over her skin, and she shuddered, suddenly needing a long, hot shower. “You said you didn’t kill my sister.”

“That was all Dad.” A pout on the lawyer’s face. “He was supposed to wait for me so we could work on her together.”

“She was a threat, son,” James protested. “I explained that to you. Camilla wouldn’t stop asking questions.”

“But we agreed not to take women who were involved with someone. Too many questions, you said. Camilla dated that lawyer, Melton. By your own rules, you shouldn’t have touched her.”

While the Hansons argued, Violet twisted her right wrist again and felt her knife shift into position against her palm. Carefully, she gripped the handle, turned the knife, and went to work on the zip tie cinching her wrists together. As long as the Hansons were busy arguing with each other instead of circling around behind her, she’d be able to cut through the plastic.

Under normal circumstances, she could defend herself against two men. This situation was anything but normal. Jeff had drugged her with something that still made her feel like she might throw up any second. Her head wound was bleeding, and the knife wound in her shoulder continually bled, weakening her further.

But what choice did she have? Violet knew down to her bones that Noah was coming for her. The only question was how long would he take to arrive. Didn’t matter, she decided. Her job was to survive. End of story. Otherwise, her life would be over in a matter of minutes.

Violet had long-term plans that didn’t include dying today, thank you very much. She wanted the life she’d dreamed of with Noah Mann. Serial killers or not, the Hanson duo would not derail her future. Violet had plans for her amazing Fortress operative.

“You should have waited to take her,” spat out James Hanson.

“I couldn’t take the chance that she’d slip out of our hands.” Jeff motioned to Violet with the knife. “She wouldn’t have stopped pursuing answers. We can’t afford that. Someone would have believed her and investigated.”

“You think this is better? She has a boyfriend and two other friends here with her. Do you think they won’t notice that she’s disappeared?” James dragged a hand down his face. “At least tell me they didn’t see you take her.”

Jeff gave a wry smile. “Can’t.”

The chief cursed loud and long at his son. “You’ve got to be kidding me! They’ve seen your face, Jeff. How will you explain this to the authorities without getting yourself locked up on death row?”

He shrugged. “Simple. I won’t explain.”

James scowled. “You’re pleading the fifth?”

“You misunderstand me. I’ll finish this last job and then I’m leaving.”

The chief stared. “Where are you going?”

“The Maldives. I deserve a life of luxury on the beach. Come with me, Dad. We’ll move our hunting ground overseas and start over again with fresh prey.” He smiled. “It will be fun.”

“What about Rosalie? I can’t leave her behind.”

Another shrug. “So we’ll pick her up on the way to the closest international airport. By the time the cops find Violet’s body, we’ll be long gone.”

They were crazy as loons, both of them. Violet increased the speed of her work. She had to free herself from the zip tie before the Hansons came to an agreement and resumed work on her.

“Get this through your thick skull,” the chief snapped. “I don’t want to live in a foreign country. I’ve built a very comfortable life here, and I like my life.”

“Then stay here. You can blame everything on me.” Jeff smiled. “I won’t be in a place where the authorities can get to me. I’ll send you a postcard if you like.”

“No! I need deniability. Can’t have that if you’re stupid enough to contact me.”

“If that’s what you want, Dad. The point is, we need to get on with our job. I have a flight to catch in seven hours, and I’m not missing it.”

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