Page 60 of Burning Secrets

She wanted to shout at him, and of course, say something stupid like “Wait until Crew gets here.”

Except, that might be the very last thing Crew should do. Because Crew returning to save her might be akin to suicide.

Maybe Viper read her mind, because he gave her a smile and said, “We’ll see if he comes for you.” Then he grabbed her by the arm and marched her to the guest cabin. Opened the door and pushed her inside.

She stumbled, fell to her knees, but managed not to fall face-first and scrub her chin on the floor.

When she rolled over, sitting, Viper stood in the frame. “Don’t get brave.”

Then he turned and slammed the door. The lock bolted from the outside.

Yeah, she didn’t have a lot of brave left, thank you.

Except a voice thrummed inside her.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Oh, she hoped so. She pushed herself back to the wall, closed her eyes.Help me, Lord.

The prayer felt feeble, however, as though it bounced back from the ceiling.

Still, she sent it up again.

Her heartbeat began to slow, her mind clearing. Barking lifted from outside, along with voices in the compound. A bell—dinner.

Her stomach gave a traitorous growl.

But with the men inside, she had to get free.

She stretched her hands against the ties, found some give, even if she couldn’t ease them free. Still, it was enough for her to move her body into the gap and bring her arms to the front.

Then she bit the end of the tie and pulled the loop as tight as she could.

Please, let this work.

She lifted her arms up, took a breath, then pulled her hands down, wrenching her wrists apart.

The tie snapped.

She looked at it a moment, her breath caught.

Seriously? Okay then.

She found her feet, headed toward the door, tried it.

Nothing.

Except—footsteps landed on the porch.

She stilled, then backed up, hit the wall and slid down, grabbing the broken tie and putting her hands behind her back.

The lock slid back, and the door opened.

Not snake tattoo man. Not Viper. An older man stepped inside. Wait—Crew’s words stirred in her mind.Older. Gray hair, scraggly beard…

Doc.

He stepped in, closed the door behind him.

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