Page 83 of Safe Haven

“That’s why it will work in our favor.” Butch starts the truck and the engine roars to life. “Becca’s smart enough to use their stupidity against them. They’ll be reactive and easy to manipulate.”

His boot hits the gas and we fly out onto the main road. Butch doesn’t have as much finesse behind the wheel as Luca does, but he makes up for it in his willingness to stretch the laws of physics and speed.

“Becca’s not the only smart woman we have on our side.” My eyes move over every vehicle we pass, making sure none of them match the one in the video. “I sent everything we have tothe team at Alaskan Security who handles the bulk of our cyber investigations.” Twisting in my seat, I catch Luca’s attention. “Send Harlow the names of the three men Butch identified.”

Luca’s watching just as closely out the windows as I am. “Already did.”

This is why I would do anything for the men I work with. Not only do they have my back, but they keep their heads on straight when I’m not capable of it. I’m doing my best, but knowing Audrey’s in danger has me ready to lose my fucking mind, and it’s making it impossible to do my job well. If Luca and Owen weren’t here to pick up the slack…

Owen’s hand reaches between the seats to rest on my shoulder. “We will get her back.”

“We fucking better.”

That’s the only option. The only outcome I can entertain. Because Audrey hasn’t been in my life long, but I don’t want to face any more of it without her.

“We’re coming up on the closest location I think they might be.” Butch points to an old fast-food restaurant. The place is boarded up and vacant, and there’s no sign of the vehicle Audrey and Becca were shoved into.

“I don’t think they’re here.” Owen voices my own thoughts.

“Agreed. The other best option is a little more secluded, but it’s in worse shape.” Butch pushes the truck faster. “If that’s where they are, and they stationed someone outside, it might be trickier to get in without being seen.”

“I don’t care about being seen.” I want Trevor to know I’m coming. I want the three men who abducted Audrey to shit their pants when they realize they’re about to die.

And I want Audrey to know I’m there. That I will always find her.

“Don’t listen to him. We’re not going in guns blazing.” Luca’s the voice of reason in the back seat. “But we will clean the house before we leave.”

“No argument here.” Butch’s grip on the wheel is so tight his knuckles are white. And when I finally really look at him, I can see I might not be the only one struggling right now.

It almost makes me feel bad for the men who took Audrey and Becca. They have no idea what’s coming for them. I don’t feel bad enough that I won't kill them. They’re absolutely going to die for daring to put their hands on her.

The buildings around us start to come farther and farther apart, and soon Butch points through the windshield at a shitty looking commercial building. There’s still an old plastic sign affixed to the front, but any letters that once identified the name of the business inside were worn away by the weather long ago. “This is our second option.” His eyes narrow. “Hopefully they’re here, because option number three is twenty minutes away.”

I hold my breath as we coast past, nearly jumping out of my skin when I see three cars parked behind the building. “They’re here.”

“What’s the plan? Want me to just pull in?” Butch meets my gaze across the console. “Because I know that sounds like fun, but I don’t want anyone to get hurt.” A slow smile works across his lips. “Not until we say they do.”

“Find a place we can park and go in on foot.” I twist in my seat, getting as good of a look at the place as I can as it fades into the distance. “Do we think it has cameras outside?”

“It’s possible, but I doubt it.” Butch takes the next right hand turn and follows a road that roughly positions us behind the building about one block up. “Honestly, I’m not even sure the place has electric. It’s been empty for years, and I can’t imagine those two have the funds to keep the lights on.”

I check all my weapons as Butch parks his truck. As soon as we’re stopped, I’m out the door, stalking toward the patchy tree line separating me from Audrey.

It doesn’t take everyone else long to catch up with me and we walk as a unit across a browning stretch of grass before breaking into the trees.

As we close in on the parking lot ending our cover, I unholster my weapon and switch off the safety. “Butch and I will go in the back. Luca, you and Owen take the front.”

Luca jerks his head in a nod, branching off with Owen to circle the building as Butch and I make our way to the dented and rusting steel door leading inside.

I barely pause, listening for any sign someone’s on the other side. When I’m relatively confident they’re not, I ease the door open, careful to adjust its weight as I go so the hinges won’t squeak overly loud. I make a gap just big enough for my body to fit through—the interior is dark enough any outside light will be noticeable—then I slide in, holding my position as Butch comes in behind me.

As soon as he has the door quietly back in place, we begin to move, stepping in tandem as we work our way through piles oftrash and discarded furniture. The place stinks and is covered in filth, only making me more pissed off Audrey’s been brought here.

She should never be in a place like this. She deserves to be safe and pampered and… Loved.

Fuck. I love her. Now’s one hell of a time to acknowledge that shit.

Butch’s hand grips my arm and I stop, going still.

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