Page 108 of Target Acquired

With her hand settled in the crook of his elbow once more, they stepped outside and began a slow walk along the lighted path.

“The gardens are lovely even this time of year,” Edward said. “And your father was very clever to put lights in so you can enjoy it after the sun goes down.”

“Father has workers year-round who do their best to keep it up to par. He loves the outdoors and often strolls it when he can’t sleep at night. Hence the lights.” Her gaze swept the area as though taking in the sight. She had to get to the edge of the property near the wooden fence that led to the horse pasture. There she would slip between the slats and make her way to the back of the pasture to the road where Dr. King and Betsy would be waiting.

“Eliza, can I ask you something?”

She turned, surprised at the seriousness in his tone. “Of course.”

“I’m not one for games and small talk, to be honest. You and I both know what our parents are aiming for in this introduction. What are your thoughts on it all?”

She bit her lip, desperately searching for the right words.

“Ah,” he said, “I’ve caught you off guard. I’m sorry. Let me just say that while I find you to be quite charming and beautiful, my heart belongs to another.”

A small laugh escaped her and she pressed her gloved hands to her lips. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to be rude, but that’s so good to hear.”

His eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Yes. My heart belongs to another as well and I’m supposed to . . .”

“Yes?”

Should she trust him? Dare she? The last time she’d felt such an inclination to trust a man had been with Dr. King. And he’d saved her. “I’m supposed to meet with friends who are going to take me to him. It’s a very long story, but my father has basically been keeping me a prisoner in that house. And tonight is my chance to escape.”

He studied her, and for a moment, she wished she could take the words back. Then he offered her a gentle smile. “Then let me help.”

THIRTY

PRESENT DAY

Cole clenched his fists and tried not to scream his rage at his unknown enemy. But that wouldn’t help, so he focused on escape. The straps might be new, but the chair itself was not. However, no amount of searching had found a weak spot in the wood.

Next plan.

Since his head wasn’t restrained, he was able to lean over and work the buckle with his teeth.

But the strap had been pulled tight, the position was awkward, and he had to take breaks to catch his breath. The blood donation and the drugs had taken it out of him, and he needed food to replace it. He recognized low blood sugar when he felt it. He’d made the mistake of giving blood once before without bothering to eat the crackers and drink the juice they offered him. He hadn’t made that mistake again.

Until now. Not that it had been his choice.

He finally managed to get the buckle undone without breaking any teeth, worked the small section of strap backward through the buckle, then yanked his arm up to free it.

Sweat poured from his temples and he gulped in a breath while weakness stole through him. He’d give just about anything for a Snickers bar right now. Once he was free of the chair, he sat for a moment, trying to gather the energy to find a way out.

KENZIE RODE, fingers clasped while her captor drove with his left hand, right hand holding the weapon against his thigh. She wondered if she could grab the wheel and crash the car to get away. But then what might happen to Cole if she died or was too injured to get help? At least if they were together, they could figure a way to outsmart this guy. “How did you get into HQ?”

He laughed. “It helps to have access to a key card one can duplicate. I was able to snag Oscar’s and make a copy. I’ve had it for a while, figuring it would come in handy one day. Today was the day.”

“This is all because you wanted Oscar on the team, isn’t it? He was the number two candidate and I beat him. If you get rid of me, you think he will be hired.”

He stilled. “You shouldn’t have let me know you figured out who I am.”

She sighed. “The mask might be an attempt to convince us that you’ll let us go when you have what you want, but you and I both know there’s no way you can do that.”

He was silent for the next few minutes, then he turned onto a side road and pulled under the cover of a thick blanket of trees. When he stopped, he yanked the mask off.

Harold, Oscar’s father, glared at her, then turned his attention back to the road. “You’re too smart for your own good.”