Page 56 of Clara's Secure Hideaway

She shifted to stare out her window and study the landscape as it flew by. Nightfall blanketed the world in shadows. Mitch might have proven cleverer than anyone gave him credit for, but Heath wouldn’t rest until he found her—until they were all safe and together.

But that didn’t mean she couldn’t figure out how to help herself. Mitch was stronger and meaner, but she held a lifetime of anger and resentment inside her.

And she was ready to unleash all of it.

“And how do you plan to do that? You’re the most wanted man in Cooper County. Not only is all the local law enforcement after you, but the FBI wants your head, too. You can’t evade them forever.”

“Who said it would be forever?” The slight curve of one corner of his mouth sent terror to settle in the pit of her stomach. “I just need enough time to make sure nobody has what’s mine, then we’ll all be together. After what I have planned, no one will ever take you from me again.”

Bile shot up the back her throat. She’d hoped he’d leave the kids alone now that he had her, but that would never happen. He’d never allow another man to raise his children, regardless of how he felt about them.

If she wanted to be free of Mitch, he either had to end up locked away for the rest of his life or she’d have to make sure he’d taken his very last breath.

“Here we are.”

The sing-song quality of his voice made her want to scream. She finally stopped the frantic thoughts chugging through her mind like a runaway train and studied her surroundings. Confusion pulled down her brow. “I don’t understand. What are we doing here?”

His grin spread wide. “Home sweet home. Now, I know you. You’ve never been very smart, so just remember I’m not afraid to use this thing.” He wiggled the gun in her face. “If you make one wrong move, I’ll blow your pretty little brains out.”

She swallowed hard, forcing the vomit back down her throat. She needed a plan, and she needed one fast or she’d never make it out of here alive.

21

Heath’s entire body screamed to get outside, search every damn house in the county, and find Clara. Instead, he sat in the library at Safe Haven Women’s Shelter with two very terrified kids attached to him.

Medical professionals and FBI agents swarmed the shelter, buzzing about trying to identity the children from the basement and contact their families. Local law enforcement kept their focus on Clara. But it was the two weeping kids stuck to him like glue who demanded his attention—no matter how badly he wanted to be on the hunt for Mitch.

Katherine Milton, Tommy and Owen’s sister and a nurse at the county hospital, stepped into the library with a gentle smile on her face. “How’s everyone doing in here?”

The kids clung tighter to him, burying their faces in his shirt.

“We’re as okay as can be,” Heath said.

Katherine gave him a knowing look before sitting on the coffee table in front of him. “I know it’s late in the evening and not a great time, but my son Oliver loves chocolate bars. I brought a couple with me if anyone wants one.” She slid two candy bars from the pockets of her blue scrubs, earning the curiosity of Davey and Avery.

“I like chocolate,” Davey said.

“Me, too.” Avery chimed in but kept a death grip on Heath.

Katherine passed over the candy. “While you eat those, can I take a quick look and make sure you two are healthy as little clams? I’m a nurse and it’s my job to keep all the kids happy and well fed with candy.”

Davey glanced up at Heath and swallowed hard, uncertainty in his eyes.

“I’ve known Katherine a long time,” Heath said. “And I work with her brothers. They’re both deputies.”

“Really?” Davey asked.

“Yep, and my dad’s the sheriff,” Katherine said. “My family likes to help people. Will you let me help you?”

Avery nibbled on her chocolate but eased up to a sitting position. “I’m healthy.”

“I’m sure you are, sweetheart. I just want to make extra sure.”

“Can Heath stay? He likes chocolate, too,” Davey said, his little hand finding Heath’s.

His heart melted faster than the candy squished in Avery’s sweaty palm. He might be torn on where his duties lay—comforting the kids or helping find Clara—but his heart knew he had to make sure these two were one hundred percent okay before taking off to find their mother. “I’m with you as long as you want me to be.”

Davey gave one decisive nod. “Okay.”

---