Page 63 of Abducted

Ethan nodded. “We’d better take two vehicles, then. We’ll follow you guys.” Ethan stopped on the front step. “Do you have an old pizza box lying around by chance?”

He frowned, remembering the recycling bin he’d forgotten to empty the last time he was there. “Yeah, why?”

“Grab it. It will be a good cover to get him to open the door without barging in.”

He nodded. “Good call.” Cal disappeared back into the cabin and dug the box out of the recycling bin. He jogged down the steps and climbed into the truck where Lana waited. Ethan and Nate pulled out of the drive and Cal followed. Lana sat ramrod-straight beside him, her knee bouncing up and down to the soft beat flowing from the radio. With every bounce, his regret expanded. She shouldn’t be here. All it would take would be one fuckup…

He forced the thought from his mind. He wouldn’t let her out of his sight.

Once they reached the city limits, Lana gave Cal directions toward the downtown district.

Tanner’s town housewas a large brick building, with three side-by-side units. His was the end unit, backing up to a park. A double garage completed the exterior. Steel-colored shades adorned the windows, blocking their view of the inside. A light clicked off upstairs, the warm glow replaced with black behind the dark window coverings. A few minutes later, more lights came on in the main area.

He parked down the street, and Ethan pulled in behind him. Lana hopped out of the truck, slamming the door behind her. Cal cursed and raced around the vehicle, snagging her arm.

“Would you slow down? Jesus.” Her long hair caught the glare from the street lamp, illuminating the glossiness of her dark locks. Her hand slipped easily into his, and she slowed.

“Sorry, I’m just eager.”

“I know, but he could have an army inside.”

She scoffed. “I seriously doubt it.”

He stopped her, his hold firm on her fingers. “Don’t. Don’t ever underestimate people. If you want to survive, you have to think to the extreme. It’s saved my life more than once.”

Her face paled, and her lips parted. Her dark lashes lowered, and she nodded. Shit. He wanted her scared enough to think—but not terrified.

“You guys coming?” Nate called from the sidewalk ahead. Cal nodded, grabbed the pizza box from the back seat, and circled his arm around Lana’s shoulders. Her gaze dropped to the box as they moved swiftly toward the large town house. The street was dead quiet, so if he put up a scuffle, it shouldn’t draw too much attention. Cal moved Lana behind him as they ascended the few steps of the front porch.

“Stay behind me until we’re inside.”

Her hand tightened on his shirt. “I think I should go to the door. I want to see the look on his face when he sees me.”

“No, he’ll see you through the peephole.” He held his hand out in the air. “Just wait.”

She folded her arms across her chest, and her lips pursed. He edged her farther against the wall, drew Nate back with them, and passed the pizza box to Ethan. “We’ll wait off to the side, out of sight. I’ll step out and hold him at gunpoint. That should prevent him from screaming down the neighborhood.”

Cal cracked his knuckles. “I hope his unit is soundproof. I have a feeling he’ll try something.”

Ethan snorted. “Don’t worry, there’s more of us than there is of him.” Ethan jabbed the bell with his index finger. Cal scanned the quiet neighborhood. Everyone would be tucked inside avoiding the chilly wind.

The neighborhood was calmer than he’d expected for a bachelor’s place. Then again, Tanner was a rich little prick who would prefer prestige over convenience.

Cal pulled his Glock from the waistband of his pants, keeping it poised low at his thigh. Footsteps sounded from inside. They stopped at the door, undoubtedly to look through the peephole.

The dead bolt clicked open.

“What the hell? I didn’t order a pizza.”

Ethan grinned. “You sure? It has extra douchebag toppings.”

“You mother—”

Cal stepped in front of Ethan, shoving the barrel of his gun at Tanner’s midsection. “Back up and let us in. Make one wrong move and I pull the trigger.”

Tanner’s body tensed. His cold brown eyes widened on Cal’s. His lips parted, and all the color drained from his face. He raised his hands in front of him and backed up. They stepped inside, and Nate closed and locked the door behind them. Lana remained at the door, shielded behind the three of them.

“What’s the matter? You can dish it out, but you can’t take it?”

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