Page 55 of Bridge to Safety

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Peanut bounding off had been unexpected. Now, Rowan was searching unfamiliar territory. Shiloh and Rachel, if Duke hadn’t already nabbed them, could be anywhere. It didn’t help that night was falling and it would be dark in half an hour.

Shiloh, where are you?Where is my backup?

Rachel screamed in the distance.

A dog barked.

Peanut had found them. But where?

Rowan turned in a circle, trying to pinpoint where the scream had come from. Another scream. He darted toward the creek he’d left behind and followed it as fast as he could. He burst into a clearing and skidded on the dry leaves.

Larson held Rachel close to him and aimed a gun at her head. Tears streamed down her pale face.

“Daddy!” Her cry wrenched his heart.

Shiloh held tight to a frenzied Peanut’s collar. She turned wide eyes on him, relief flooding her features at the sight of him.

Heart beating in his throat, Rowan aimed his weapon at Larson. “Let her go.”

“Not unless you give me something.” His eyes flashed. “You shoot me; I shoot her. Not even you are a good enough shot to drop me from that distance. Lower your gun.”

What he said was true. Rowan lowered his weapon. “What do you want?”

“For you to take your daughter and leave Misty Hollow. Then, Shiloh can focus on me and realize how much she means to me. We can’t be together while you’re around.” He shrugged. “Since you refuse to die, I’ll have to send you away.”

The man was certifiable insane. “I can’t just pick up and go, Larson. I have a commitment to this city.”

“You aren’t a native. Nobody will care.” His hold on Rachel tightened, eliciting a yelp from her.

“You’re hurting her.” Rowan took a step forward.

“Don’t come any closer. Shiloh, you’re losing the battle with that dog. If you release her, she’ll die. I won’t fail this time to stop the beast.”

“Let Rachel go, Duke. I’ll come willingly with you if you let Rowan and his daughter walk away. I’ll come now.” Her eyes shimmered in the moonlight. “Please. If you hurt them, I can never love you. Surely, you understand.”

Confusion crossed his face. He glanced from her to Rowan, then back again. “You’re messing with my head. You’ve loved me since prom night.”

“I’ve hated you since that night. If you have any chance of being with me, you must let them go.”

“No.” His eyes narrowed as his head shook side to side. “You’re trying to hurt me with your words.”

She dragged Peanut to Rowan. “Hold her.”

“What are you doing?”

“Trading places with Rachel.” Her gaze softened. “I have to. Then, you can take her and go.”

“I’m not leaving you with him.” He couldn’t, not knowing what he’d do to her. At first, he’d be kind, but after that she’d end up like Melinda, broken and bruised.

“You have to.” She turned and inched toward Larson.

He grinned. “I knew you’d come to your sense.” He shoved Rachel to the side, causing her to stumble.

“Hold it.” Sheriff Westbrook and Deputy Matchett stepped into the clearing. “Drop the gun, Larson.”

As he reached for Shiloh, the sheriff fired. The first shot took him in the left shoulder, spinning him. When he raised his right hand to fire, Matchett’s shot took him down.

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