Evangeline’s eyes widened. “That’s great. Let’s go.”
Sanchez poked her head out of the kitchen. “The Fields’ have booked a flight home.”
Evangeline hurried into the kitchen with Sin and Dakota on her heels.
“We’ll need you as back up,” Sin said to Sanchez. Then, he eyed Evangeline. “You’re covered in blood.” He wet a paper towel and gently wiped her face.
“Evangeline, I’ve got a clean shirt you can wear.” Dakota bolted out of the room.
As Sin cleaned her cheeks and forehead, she stared into his eyes. Even in the chaos, love was the glue that held them together. When finished, he whispered, “We’ll find them.”
She changed into Dakota’s shirt and they hurried into the oversized garage. Sin directed them to one of Dakota’s SUVs. After the door rose, the glaring light of midday had him slipping on his brother’s shades and hitting the gas.
En route, he handed both women earpieces. “Tap once to speak. It stays on unless you tap twice, then it mutes.”
They discussed strategy, included best and worst-case scenarios. He was a realist and didn’t want to candy coat what they might find. If Uncle Charlie had sold Robert to the Fields’, Hannah might already be dead.
They drove west, toward the Shenandoah Mountains, where the homes were separated by acres and barren trees populated the open spaces. Forty minutes later, Sin’s GPS said they’d arrived, but there was no building in the vicinity. He slowed down.
Evangeline pointed. “That looks like a dirt road.”
Sin turned onto an unmarked road. After half a mile, they rounded a corner. A large, white, three-story building loomed ahead. The modern structure looked like an office building.
As they pulled into the parking lot, Sin said, “Let’s do this.”
Evangeline was going in with eyes wide open. And she was under no illusion that Hannah and Robert were even here. After tucking her Glock into the back of her pants beneath her coat, she exited the vehicle.
The three walked toward the entrance.
As they entered the building, Sin lowered his face. “Camera, twelve o’clock.”
Once inside the spacious lobby, a security guard acknowledged them. Several dark, leather sofas filled the area. Two pregnant women huddled close on one, speaking quietly and laughing. The coffee tables were covered with beautiful pots that boasted perfectly manicured houseplants. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows framed the picturesque rolling hills in the distance.
There were no brochures or business cards in sight. Bright white walls popped against a dark floor. There were no wall hangings of any kind. The room smelled clean, like the air had been freshened with a sanitizer.
The woman seated behind the counter greeted them with a warm smile. “Welcome to The Institute.”
“We’re the Fields’.” Sin held out his phone so the attendant could scan the barcode.
After studying her screen, the receptionist said, “I don’t see a third person listed for your pick up.”
“I was told our baby has been colicky,” Evangeline said, “so I brought my sister. She’s a pro with her own kids.” Evangeline offered a warm smile. “I’m a first-time mom.”
The woman’s furrowed brow gave way to a nod. “Thanks for clarifying. Let me take you to our receiving room and a nurse will bring your baby right out. You’re in luck. Uncle Charlie is here today and wants to swing by and personally congratulate you.”
Bring him on.
“How big is your facility?” Sanchez asked.
“We have eighty private suites,” the staffer said as she rounded reception. “There are multiple game rooms, a spa, and quiet rooms for reading or meditation. We have several exam rooms, a birthing center, and a surgery center for C-sections and complicated deliveries. Everything at The Institute is state of the art. We ensure every woman receives the best possible care while she’s here.”
Dread filled Evangeline. This is Uncle Charlie’s headquarters.
“I was told I could speak to the birth mother,” Evangeline said.
“Let Uncle Charlie know.” The staffer escorted them into a small room with a sofa and left, shutting the door behind her.
“I wish I had my laptop,” Sanchez whispered. “I would try to hack into their system and search for Hannah.”
Without confirmation that Hannah and Robert were even there, Evangeline was flying blind. Still, she refused to believe her sister was dead. A cold shiver rippled through her. She turned toward Sin. Determination shone from his eyes. His confident demeanor bolstered hers and helped squelch her fear. If anyone had her back, it was this man.
A few moments of tense silence passed while they waited. The door opened. A nurse rolled in a stroller with an attached car seat. “Here he is, ready to meet his mommy and daddy. Isn’t he just perfect?”
Evangeline peered inside and relief washed over her. Dressed in an adorable blue outfit, tiny Robert slept, unawares. She laid her hand over her heart as Sin took a step toward the door. “He’s beautiful.”
“And he’s all yours,” continued the attendant. “Would you like me to wheel him out for you?”
“My sister’s going to load him into the car.”
Sanchez curled her fingers around the stroller, looked back at Evangeline, and left with the infant.
“You can make your final payment on your way out,” explained the nurse.
“I’d like to speak with the birth mom.”
The nurse frowned. “I can answer any questions you may have.”
“Thank you, but I have specific questions only she can answer.”
“I can’t authorize that. You’ll have to wait for Uncle Charlie.”
Sin shut the door and pulled his Glock. “Keep that friendly smile on your face and take us to the mother. Now.”
The nurse’s eyes grew large. “Oh, my. What’s this all about?”
Sin pointed his weapon at her forehead. “If you don’t take us to that baby’s biological mother in the next five seconds, I’m going to kill you. This gun has a silencer. You’ll be stone cold before anyone finds you.”
The woman started trembling, her face turning a pale green. “Uh, uh, uh. Right. Okay. I can do that.”
“Nice and easy.” He opened the door and they stepped into the hallway.
Evangeline fell in line beside the nurse. She brought them down the hallway and around the corner to a closed door. To Evangeline’s shock, she unbolted it from the outside before they entered.
Hannah sat in a chair, her wrists and ankles strapped to the frame with Velcro. Her tear-filled eyes were red, her cheeks puffy. Evangeline hurried over and freed her. Hannah struggled to stand, so Evangeline snaked her arm around her waist and pulled her to her feet.
“Sit,” Sin said to the nurse.
When she did, he strapped her in the chair and shoved a towel in her mouth.
“Let’s get Hannah the hell out of here,” he said.
“They took Robert,” Hannah choked out. “We have to find him.”
“He’s safe and he’s in the car,” Evangeline replied.
Hannah started sobbing. “Oh, my God, thank you.” As fresh tears rolled down her cheek, she gripped Evangeline.