Page 106 of Unmasked
“It’s remote. No cars allowed. It’s only accessible by boat, ferry, or jet ski, and once on the island, the only way to travel is via golf cart.”
“The perfect place to keep someone captive.”
Jaxson nods. “Unfortunately, yes.”
As soon asI get off the plane, my phone rings. I don’t recognize the number. “Hello.”
“Mr. Stryker?”
My brows wrinkle. “Edward?”
“Yes. I don’t have long. It’s about Miss Mallory.”
I put him on speakerphone as the gang gathers around me.
“What do you know, Edward?”
“Mrs. Chapman received a phone call while I drove her to the salon. I heard her whisper, ‘Do you have Mallory?’ She smiled and said, ‘Good. I don’t want her near that lowlife who proposed to her.’ Sorry, Mr. Stryker. That’s not my opinion of you.”
“I know, Edward. Do you know who has her?”
“Mrs. Chapman whispered ‘Goodbye, Cole’ before she hung up. I was instantly alarmed. Mrs. Chapman had Mr. Cole Jacobs escort Miss Mallory to various functions when she was seventeen. Miss Mallory called me one night in tears, asking me to pick her up. Her clothing and hair weredisheveled, and mascara streaked down her cheeks from crying. She wouldn’t talk about it when I asked her what was wrong.”
“Oh, fuck. Did she ever say what happened?”
“I overheard her talking to Mrs. Chapman. Miss Mallory begged her mother not to set her up with Mr. Cole anymore because he groped her through her clothing. Miss Mallory pushed Mr. Jacobs down a flight of stairs and ran. Mrs. Chapman was furious. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman ended up paying for his plastic surgery to repair the broken nose and jaw he sustained from the fall.”
“Jesus Christ. He tries to assault their daughter, and her fucking parents pay for his surgery!” I’m livid as I pace back and forth.
After taking a deep, calming breath, I ask, “Do you know anything about North Captiva Island, Florida?”
“The Chapmans own a house there.”
“That’s where Cole took her. I just landed. We’re gonna rent a boat?—”
“No need. The Chapmans own a boat. Mr. Chapman named it Danelle after his wife. I’ll arrange for you to take it out. Also, all the doors require a passcode to get in. Let me give that to you.”
Jaxson nods, holding up his phone with the Notes app. He types it, and I recite it, committing it to memory.
“Thanks a million, Edward.”
“No need to thank me. I saw how much you love Miss Mallory when you were here. I’ve never seen her smile like she does when she’s with you.” His voice quivers, making my heart squeeze inside my chest. “Get her back and keep making her smile. That’s all I want.”
“You know I will. She’s my world.”
CHAPTER 67
Mallory
Cole throws me over his shoulder, carrying me toward my parent’s house in North Captiva Island.
“What are we doing here?”
His grin is lecherous. “We’re gonna get ready for our wedding.”
“W-What?” I look around, wildly searching for someone to signal to, but no one’s around. I’d forgotten how remote this place is since it’s been years since I was here.
He punches in the code, pushes the door open, and carries me inside. “Your mom paid me quite well to marry you. She set everything up for us, too. All we need to do is put on the clothing she had delivered and go to the pier in…” He looks at his phone. “Two hours.”