“No.” She pulled the gun from her pocket. “He said to come alone, or he’d kill her.”
“Ginny, please, listen to me. It’s a trap, don’t you see that?”
“Of course, I do. I’m not a fool. At least not anymore.” She lifted the gun. “I’m going to play along then get him out of my life forever.”
He jerked at the sheet and moved his legs to the side of the bed. “Untie me, Ginny. You can’t face him alone. It’s too dangerous.”
“It’s more dangerous if I don’t do as he says.” Her hand shook slightly as she trained the gun on his chest. “I’m not going to let Mitzi die because I’m afraid of Robert.”
“Please, Ginny,” Griff pleaded. “He’ll probably kill her anyway, then kill you or abduct you and do God knows what.”
Her anger rallied, swift and fast. “This ends tonight. I have to do it for my sister and Mitzi and Joy and all the other women he hurt or will hurt in the future.”
He jerked at the binding around his wrists, making the bed post rattle. “Please, let me go. I can hide in the car with you. He won’t even know I’m there.”
Tears pricked her eyes. He was so brave, and strong and caring. He risked his life every day for others.
Today was not the day he’d lose his life. At least not for her.
“Thank you for last night,” she said in a pained whisper. Then she turned and walked out the door and hurried out to her car.
She plugged the GPS coordinates into her phone, drove from the parking lot and headed out of town to meet the man who’d destroyed her life. She refused to allow him to destroy anyone else’s.
* * *
GRIFF BELLOWED GINNY’S name as the door closed behind her. He couldn’t believe she’d made love to him and now was leaving him here while she faced that monster alone.
And what did she mean—she was going to end it? What did she have planned?
He jerked at the sheet, but the knot was fast and tight. Furious and afraid for her life, he rolled sideways and struggled to reach the top of the bed post where she’d secured the knot. The little vixen had made certain it was secure and tied it in several places along the post.
Perspiration trickled down his neck as he stretched his body upward on the headboard and twisted his hands so he could reach the top. He wiggled and worked the fabric, slowly easing it loose and managed to release the first knot.
On to the second. With every moment he worked, Ginny was getting closer and closer to Bouldercrest. Why hadn’t she let him go with her?
She had a gun, but did she know how to use it? He’d seen her fight that day the man attacked her on the street, but Bouldercrest could take her by surprise and she might not be able to fend him off, or get a shot in.
And what if he took the gun from her and shot her with her own weapon?
His heart pounded so hard he could hear the blood roaring in his ears. The second knot finally slipped free.
It took him another fifteen minutes to release his wrists from the post. By then the images bombarding him made his blood pulse with fear. With sweaty palms, he snatched his phone, pressed Jacob’s number and reached for his clothes. When Jacob answered, he was dragging on his pants.
“Jacob, listen, Ginny heard from that bastard and she’s gone after him.”
Jacob heaved a breath. “Are you with her?”
Self-disgust ate at him. He’d let his emotions cloud his judgment and had slept with her. Had she seduced him so she could tie him up and get away?
“Griff?”
“No. Long story, but she’s gone, and she has a gun. He told her to come alone or he’d kill Mitzi.”
Jacob spewed a litany of curse words. “Did she say where she was supposed to meet him?”
Griff yanked on his shirt, fumbling with the buttons. “No. She just took off.”
“All right, I’ll call Liam and see if we can trace her phone.”
“I’ll meet you at the station.”
Jacob agreed, and Griff shoved his feet into his shoes, then snatched his jacket and ran for the door.
* * *
GINNY’S HEAD WAS spinning as she veered down the narrow, winding road leading to the area where Robert requested they meet. Giant trees and brush enveloped her into an eerie world where the tunnel through the forest felt endless and eerie.
Robert would choose a remote location, some place he thought no one would find him.
Or hear her if she screamed.
She bounced over a rut in the road, making her stomach lurch, and struggled to tamp down her fear. The sweet taste of revenge roused her courage, and she plunged on, weaving around twists and turns until she reached a clearing that ended on a ridge. A small cabin sat near the edge, rustic and weathered, and the yard was overgrown with weeds encroaching on the patchy grass.
Wind beat at the loose shutters, causing them to flap, and making the deserted place look cold and desolate. Aware Robert would be hiding out, watching her approach, she scanned the area in search of him as she braked to a stop. Her hand automatically flew to her gun, an image of her sister’s face flashing behind her eyes.
“Today is for you, Tess.”
Resignation and determination washed over her as she climbed from the car. She turned in a wide circle, hoping Robert would be a man and meet her face-to-face.
Instead, the sound of a woman screaming echoed in the wind.
Mitzi.
Her heart jumped to her throat, and she took off running toward the house. She’d come here to save Mitzi and she wouldn’t back down now.
She crossed the grass and climbed the steps to the porch, her eyes trained for Robert. But he was nowhere in sight. Probably skulking in the shadows like a coward.
She twisted the doorknob, and it creaked open. The interior was dark and dank, and wind whistled through the eaves of the old boards of the house. One step in and the wooden floor squeaked. She paused to listen for Mitzi again. A noise sounded from a back room to the right.
Scuffling? Mitzi crying?
Her heart wrenched.
She slowly eased toward the hallway, her hand over her gun in her jacket pocket, ready to pull it when Robert appeared. Another step and Mitzi’s cry grew louder. She passed a small room that appeared empty, then a bathroom that was dirty and hadn’t seen paint in a decade or more. Then a second bedroom. Just as she was about to enter it, the floor creaked behind her.
Her fingers wrapped around the handle of her gun. Before she could pull it from her pocket Robert wrapped his arms around her neck in a choke hold and dragged her into the room.