Page 99 of Callen's Captive
Anna held up the pendant. “It’s what we were arguing over earlier.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I wanted to open it, Blade didn’t. He said it was meant for you, even though it was on my computer.”
“Open what?”
The pendant was a long rectangle with two halves and a vertical seam down the center. With a hand on either side, Anna pulled the two parts aside. The pendant opened like a butterfly knife, revealing a USB storage device inside.
“Insert it,” Callen said, hopeful there’d be something on there to lead him to Kate.
A long list of files showed up on the computer. Anna sorted the list by date. There at the top was one file time-stamped early this morning, two hours before Callen had woken. The file name was simply ‘Callen’.
Anna clicked on the file, then she and Blade stepped away. Callen sat on the stool and read.
Dear Callen,
I don’t regret anything, except the hurtful things I said to you. Last night proved how wonderful and caring you are. But, hey, I’ve known that for a while. I know you think we’re stronger together, and in some ways we are, but that doesn’t mean we should be together. You have to go back to your pack. They’re your home, your family.
I’m letting go, Callen. No more clinging to anger and fear of the past. I have work to do, we all do. I know what you’re thinking. That your pack doesn’t truly need you. That may well be the case, but I’ve realized something about you, bear. It doesn’t matter if your pack needs you or not, you need them. . . more than you need me.
Please don’t hate me.
Forever yours,
Kate
Callen touched her name on the screen. “You’re wrong, Princess. I need you, more than anything and anyone else. I need you.”
Callen slipped the chain over his head and snapped the pendant closed. The chain was long, like the one Blade wore around his neck and would stay with him, even when he shifted. The pendant felt cool against his chest. It was all he had left of her now.
* * *
KATE
Before the damn trucker had driven four miles down the road, he was pawing at her. Next thing she knew, he’d pulled onto the shoulder and was shoving her toward the back of his truck where he had a bed and even a mirrored ceiling. She would have jumped from the cab of the truck, but the bastard locked the doors. Kate drew her gun. He didn’t take her seriously until she shot off a round, three inches from his head. Those door locks magically opened at that point, and she jumped out amid shouts of how she was a whore, a crazy bitch, and was only good for one thing.
As his truck flew down the road, spewing noxious fumes in its wake, she felt defeated. Of all the fucking luck. . . He’d dumped her on the outskirts of Riverview. She was never going to escape this crappy town, apparently. For now, she had no choice but to keep walking and hope the next ride would take her anywhere but Riverview.
This was supposed to be a fresh start, a new town, away from the WSSO. She’d even left the files behind for Callen, Anna, and Blade to use as they saw fit. It seemed as if she was back to square one, except now she didn’t have Callen. She had her laptop and some cash, but she’d gladly trade those to be with him one last time.
After an hour of walking and no one stopping to give her a ride, she had no choice but to head toward Riverview. The roadblocks were gone, but that didn’t mean anyone had bothered taking down all those posters with her face on it. She would head straight for the bus station in Riverview,aftershe changed her appearance. She could snag a wig from the salon on Fifth Street and sunglasses at the general store on the same block in a low-traffic area. Once she had her disguise, she’d head across town and hop the first bus out of Riverview.
For the thousandth time since she left, Kate thought about Callen. She really hoped he didn’t hate her. She was doing what was best for both of them. He needed his pack, while she. . . She wasn’t entirely sure what she needed, only that she didn’t want him to be miserable.
Maybe if she’d been thinking of Callen less and paying attention to her surroundings more, then she would have seen the black SUV approaching her from behind. By the time Kate turned around, it was too late to run.
* * *
CALLEN
For three days Callen had been going into Henley, to the coffee shop on Beckwith Street to use the free Wi-Fi and check the message board where they’d left an encoded message for Kate. Anna remembered the message board and the code Kate had established back when they had first teamed up. Waiting for Kate to log in and check the message board was turning Callen and his wolf into a massive ball of anger. He needed to do something, punch someone even.
“She’ll reply,” Blade said as they entered the coffee shop and looked for a table. “Give her time.”
“What if she doesn’t want to? She’ll know it’s me trying to reach her. I still don’t know why she left.”
“The note was pretty clear.” Blade motioned to a couple vacating a booth in back.
