Page 152 of Renard's Deliverance

He took a step forward and Saxon got in his way. He was yelling something at him, but he ignored him.

He had to get to his girl.

He should never have let this happen to her.

He should have taken better care of her like he’d promised. Fuck! It was his job to protect her and he was failing.

What if he lost her?

Like he’d lostthem?

“Renard! Fuck, Renard! She’s not there!”

He blinked and saw Jake standing in front of him. “What?”

He’d made it to the front porch. Jake must have heard Saxon yelling because he’d come out of the house.

“She’s not in there.” Jake was frowning.

“She’s not in there? Then where is she?”

“I don’t know. But it seems that Barney is likely the one that took her.”

“Why do you say that?” Saxon asked.

“Because he’s got a set-up in the basement,” Jake said with disgust. “Along with his bed and a small bathroom, there’s several computers and photos pinned to a bulletin board. The computer . . . it’s playing a live camera feed.”

He said nothing more.

“Of what?” Renard growled.

“I don’t want you to lose it,” Jake warned. “Maybe we should speak about this somewhere private.”

He leaned into Jake. “Of. What?”

Jake ran his hand over his face, looking tired. “Of her bedroom, Renard. He was watching her in her bed.”

That fucker.

That fucker had been watching his girl? While she was sleeping? While she was getting dressed? Maybe doing other things? Had he watched them together? Watched her use her vibrator before they’d gotten together?

Mother. Fucker.

“What else?” he seethed. He wanted to go down there and destroy the place but that wouldn’t help his girl.

“The photos on the noticeboard are all of her. This guy has quite the obsession.”

Barney was obsessed with Renard’s girl. Had watched her in her bedroom. Had taken her. Maybe hurt her.

“And there’s some blood.”

Barney was a dead man walking.

30

“Mrs. Gingers, how are you doing?” Opal asked in a husky voice.

God. Would it kill Barney to leave them some water? She was dying of thirst and feeling ill because of it.

---