Page 10 of Estranged Heart
“You have my full permission if that’s what you need.” A thought hits me and I jump a little in my chair. “Hank. Landon said he made reservations over the phone.”
“We’ll see if it’s on there. If you think of anything else—”
“I’ll call you right away.”
“Good. I know it’s been a hard month for you, Mr. Pena, and we want to find your husband, we do, but if we keep coming up empty these next two weeks, we’re going to have to call the search off. Chances are he was either moved or his body was destroyed in the explosion.”
“But I saw him before I was hit. He was right next to me. What if there are areas being overlooked? What if—”
He holds his hand up. “I know it’s hard not knowing what happened—”
“Do you? Because I really don’t think you do. What if it was your wife out there? Would you stop looking?”
His lips press into a thin line and he folds his hands over his desk. “No, I wouldn’t.”
“Then don’t expect me to.” I get to my feet so fast the chair almost falls back. “Let me know what you find on his phone and if you can figure out who rented my husband that boat.”
He opens his mouth and closes it, giving me a curt nod. “Sure thing.”
I leave the office without another word and hurry to my car. They actually considered me being the reason my husband is dead. There were no issues in our marriage. If they took the timeto speak to our friends and family, they’d know that. I get in my car and wait until my hands stop shaking to drive home.
On the way there, I keep thinking about the last time I saw Landon. How he smiled at me before leaning in for a kiss. Maybe I should care more about why he didn’t tell me about the money, but it’s not like knowing will help bring him back. Nothing will. But if he was murdered or there’s any sign of foul play, I won’t let the people who were involved get away scot-free. They don’t get to go on with their happy lives while I’m burying an empty casket. They don’t get to enjoy the company of their family and friends while I’m having to go without mine. Landon was my everything. Every night since the accident I’ve gone home to nothing.
The accident.
It’s hard to believe it was something more than that. How could someone want to hurt Landon? What’s there to gain?
Instead of turning onto my road, I head to the lake instead. It was his favorite place to go every summer. He’d go for a swim, begging me to jump in with him, but I’d sit on the dock watching instead. I can’t feel him at home anymore. Will I be able to at the last place we were together?
Five
Silas
“No.” Two men drag me by the arms and no matter how hard I fight, their grip never lessens. I don’t know where I am but it’s mostly dark with small lights randomly blinking from the ceiling. The room smells strongly of copper and mildew. One minute I was watching a movie with Stacey and the next I’m waking up here. What’s happening? If it’s not real, then why does it feel like it is? I ache everywhere and blood stains the front of my white shirt—one I’ve never seen before in my life. The fabric sticks to my sweaty body as I’m sliding across the concrete floor.
“Please,” I beg. “What are you going to do to me?”
Smiling down at me, the bald man with tattoos on his face kicks me in the shoulder. “You move too much, cabron.”
“Don’t worry,” his friend says, wearing a malicious grin. “I’ll take care of that.” He releases my arm and when he lifts his foot, he sends a sharp blow to my side. I groan, wiggling on theground, using one hand to try and free myself from the guy still holding me.
They both laugh and tie my wrists above my head. One guy steps on my hands to hold me in place and the other walks around me, dropping to the ground. His eyes glow like a predatory wolf as he undoes my pants.
Fear crawls up the back of my neck as he tugs off the bottom half of my clothes. Tattoo face laughs louder and they both flip me over.
“Oh, I know a good way to calm you down. He only said not to damage your organs. He didn’t say anything about the rest of you.”
He straddles the back of my legs and I hear him yank down a zipper. My skin crawls and I fight harder. “Don’t.”
“You asked for this. Should have come with us willingly.” He spreads my ass cheeks apart and spit drops between them. Tears fill my eyes and I go tense underneath him, not ready for what’s to come.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“Do what?” a softer voice says. Stacey. What is she doing here? Do they have her too?
“Stacey?” I call out. The room slowly changes and a light flickers on beside me.
“It’s okay, baby. It’s only another nightmare.”
