Nate’s heart disintegrated as he listened to Sally’s terrified screams. He could feel the ashy flakes falling through him, sizzling in his stomach acid and driving him to kill, to hurt, to do whatever was needed to bring her home.

When that guy yanked her hand and slid the blade across her finger, he’d wanted to punch Michael’s computer screen.

“Oh God, Michael.” Yvonne wept against her husband.

Sally’s muffled begging drove a stake through Nate’s stomach. Oscar was putting on a damn good show, which only fueled Nate’s rage. When the kidnapper—accomplice!—punched him, Yvonne wailed again, but Nate just felt a sick sense of satisfaction. He hoped it fucking hurt.

Sally shook in the corner, her arms curled against her chest, and Nate thought he might split in half. Desperation raked his insides raw. He had to get to her. To save her.

The screen went blank and Michael went into immediate action. “I’ll call Jerry and explain the situation. He’ll be able to help us.”

“It’s eleven o’clock at night, Michael. The bank can’t help us right now.” Yvonne’s voice was deep and quaking, her tear-streaked face capturing their shared anxiety perfectly.

“I have Jerry’s personal number. We can get the cash. It’ll be okay.” He rubbed his wife’s shoulder and moved around the couch.

“Don’t waste your time,” Nate muttered. “We’re not giving them that money.”

“Excuse me?” Michael’s eyebrows rose high, the fire in his eyes warning Nate not to mess with him.

Nate pointed at the computer, refusing to back down. “Those delivery instructions are bullshit. Leaving the money and they’ll tell us where she is? No way! They’ll take that money and run. And all we’ll find is a dead body.” Annabelle gasped and started crying. Nate refused to be affected by her tears. He had a job to do, the most important job he’d ever had. “The only way we’re getting Sally back is if we find Oscar first. Now, you need to tell me everything you can about this guy.”

“Are you insane?” Michael shouted. “Did you not see that footage? He’s a victim too! We have no idea who that masked man is, and I won’t risk my daughter’s life just so you can play detective for a day. I don’t give a shit about your career and trying to be the best.”

“What?” Nate stepped forward, anger firing inside of him like hot lava. “You think I’m saying this for me? All that matters right now is Sally.”

“All that’s ever mattered is your job,” Michael seethed. “And I won’t let you use my daughter to get another credit to your name. We don’t care that you’re the best at what you do! All we ever wanted was for you to love her and look after her the way she deserved!”

The words were bullet wounds entering Nate’s soul, sharp and hard. So that’s what they thought of him. It was a defeating blow, but he couldn’t let it beat him.

Sally.

He had to think of Sally.

Clenching his jaw, Nate gritted out, “Believe whatever the fuck you want, Michael, but I am telling you that if you want to see her alive again, you need to let me do my job. I know you think I’m a waste of space in this family, but Oscar is a lying shit. He’s played you all, and he is not going to let Sally live through this. He wants that money and that’s it. He’s not going to keep her alive as a witness against him. He thinks I’m dead, so she’s his last loose end.”

Michael was shaking his head, his nostrils flaring as Nate tried to get through to him. But the man was too blinded by emotion to think logically.

“Fuck you, Michael! I know what I’m talking about!” Nate swept his arm through the air, clipping the vase on the table and not even caring as it hurtled through the air and smashed to the floor.

Yvonne screamed and covered her mouth with trembling fingers.

Nate ignored her, pointing a finger at Michael and shouting, “I love your daughter more than you will ever understand! And I want her back. Help me! Help me get her back!”

Yvonne’s sobs punctured the air. They were in time with Annabelle’s, who was now weeping against her brother.

“Get out of my house.” Michael pointed to the door. “You are not welcome here. I can get her back without you.”

Nate lunged forward, ready to grab Michael’s shirt and shake some sense into him, but Kellan blocked his way.

He glared down at his boss and was quickly calmed by the look on Kellan’s face. “Get back to the station. We need to find her before the drop, and you’ve only got twenty-four hours. Don’t waste it here.”

Nate forced air through his nose and took a stiff step away from Sally’s father.

“Go.” Kellan pointed at the door. “Go work some magic. I’ll see what I can do here.”

Nate clenched his jaw. He gave a curt nod to the only man in the room who believed him before turning on his heel and sprinting for the door.

He hoped to God that Kellan could pry something out of the delusional Richmond family, because finding a con artist was damn hard work and they were running out of time.