“Josiah hasn’t left the building.” Mack said. “He’s in the men’s dressing room.”
“You’re kidding me.” Logan sighed in relief. “I wonder why his assistant…”
Logan’s chest spasmed, and he pressed his fist against it. “Mack!” he gasped. “Where’s Ellery’s chip? Is it in the women’s changing room?”
“Uhmm… let’s see… No, it’s in the backstage area… by the emergency exit door.”
“They’ve got her!” Logan shot off like a madman, barely missing a luggage rack as he dodged through the crowd, shoving people out of his way. “Mack, they’ve got her! They’ve got Ellery!”
As Logan lunged for the backstage door, it burst open, his progress halted while a dozen people spilled out, bringing a cloud of acrid smoke with them.
“You don’t want to go in there, Logan.” Mack’s brother Jake fell against the wall beside him, coughing and gasping for air. “The smoke is too thick. Can’t see a thing.”
Logan looked at the phone in his hand, realizing Mack was still on the line. “Mack, what’s going on?”
“We’re on it. Someone set a fire, but the alarm’s disabled. Fire department’s on the way. Clearing the area.”
“What about Ellery?” His heart clenched, knowing the news couldn’t be good, or Mack would’ve led with it.
“Don’t panic, Logan.” Mack’s calm voice did nothing to slow Logan’s racing heart. “Her tracker is working. We know exactly where she is.”
“Where is she?”
“Just turned out of the parking lot on Barton Springs. Dan’s got a team on their trail.”
“The same team that was supposed to keep Ellery safe?” Logan growled. “I’m going after her.”
“You’ll only be in the way, Logan. Dan needs you to wait for the ransom call.”
“I’m not waiting!” Logan knew the backstage exit was on the opposite side of the building. The fastest way out was through the smoke. He reached for the handle, but Jake put a hand on his shoulder.
“Just a second, Logan.” He spoke in low tones over his headset, then gave Logan a solemn nod. “I’m driving you. Take a deep breath and follow me. And whatever you do, don’t let go of my coat.”
He flung the door open, and they plunged into the hot, thick darkness.
Jake careened out of the parking lot, slamming Logan’s shoulder against the side of the car.
“Sorry,” Jake muttered, both hands gripping the wheel of the black SUV.
“Do whatever you have to do to catch them.” Logan’s throat clamped so tight he could barely speak.
“They’re in a plain white commercial van. No signage.” Mack’s voice came over the car’s speaker. “Dan’s agents are following from a safe distance.”
Jake pounded a fist on the steering wheel. “Why are they following them instead of pulling them over? We can’t take a chance they’ll get away.”
“I know why.” A steel band cinched around Logan’s chest as the realization set in. “Because the FBI wants the Krupins. They were hoping Alexander would show up tonight, but he must’ve sent his minions instead.”
“I believe you are correct in that assumption.” Mack’s voice came back, irate and stiff. “Dan’s men are confident they’ll at least be able to apprehend Alexander tonight if they let the van lead them to the hideout.”
“And what about Ellery?” Jake smashed his foot on the gas, accelerating through a light just as it turned red. “They can’t risk a civilian’s life as bait.”
“They can if they warn the citizen of possible danger, and the citizen decides to ignore the risk,” Logan spoke between clamped teeth, his dread growing. How cleverly had Dan maneuvered their discussion? He’d never suggested Ellery volunteer as bait, yet jumped in to offer their “support” when she’d said she was going to the fundraiser. “That’s why Ellery and I had to sign a liability release form.”
“We signed one, too.” Jake’s flat tone belied the bulging muscles in his jaw.
“Go south on MoPac.” Only a slight tremor revealed the tension in Mack’s tone, but he must’ve been furious inside.
Jake sped through the underpass and turned left from the straight lane, cutting off the cars who’d been waiting in the left turn lane. He ignored the furious honks, stepping on the gas to zip up the entry ramp and merge into traffic on the multi-lane expressway, the tall center lights already shining in the twilight. Jostled by the car’s motions, Logan knew the ride must be horrifying for Ellery. He imagined her, tied up, rolling around on the floor of the van.
“I’m coming up behind the follow car,” Jake said.
Logan glanced out the window as they passed the agents, returning the driver’s glower.
Shouts came over the speaker, unintelligible, but full of anger. Mack’s voice retorted, “I don’t work for you, Dan. My job is to protect my client, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“You should be able to see the van now—” Mack said. Then he let out a string of oaths. “Ellery’s tracker stopped working. They must’ve found it.”
“I see it,” Jake said. “I won’t lose ‘em.”
Bile rose in Logan’s throat. If it weren’t for him, Ellery would never have been in danger in the first place. Now he’d failed to protect her. Molten fury pumped throughout his body. But it was better than the alternative—helplessness and fear. He would do everything in his power to save Ellery. But if these monsters took her life, he wouldn’t be able to control himself.
And if he were killed during his furious rampage, then so be it.
Because if Ellery died… he had no desire to live.
