“Shouldn’t you go to Reid?” I asked as Sterling accompanied me up the stairs toward our bedroom.

“I’m going to change clothes too.”

I looked down. Though he’d put on a t-shirt and slipped his feet in canvas loafers, he was still wearing his bathing trunks. I shook my head. “I guess it goes to show my mind isn’t here. I almost forgot we were on the yacht enjoying the sun a few hours ago.”

His lips brushed my hair. “It’s understandable. Believe me, we’re working on this.”

“I just want to get to Winnie and hug Louisa.”

“You will.”

I wish I shared his confidence. Though I didn’t, I kept reminding myself that Sterling was better versed in these kinds of situations. It was another case of being outside my understanding. Then again, wasn’t kidnapping outside most people’s understanding?

Once we were inside the bedroom with the door shut, I thought about our bags, but I didn’t ask again. Lorna had our bathroom so well stocked that there was truly nothing in that bag that I needed to get ready to travel to Boulder. “I’m going to take a quick shower. I can be ready to go as soon as you let me know.”

Sterling came from the closet, his bathing trunks gone and a pair of jeans in their place. The black t-shirt from before had been exchanged for a fresh gray one with a V-neck that fit well over his toned torso and bulging biceps. His dark hair was mussed and he still hadn’t shaved, leaving his chin and cheeks with a dark shadow. In the middle of—as he’d called it—the shitstorm that was now my life, seeing him so casual gave me strength.

My sundress was gone, leaving me standing in our room in only the bikini from before. When our eyes met, he stalked toward me, his bare feet gripping the floor as his powerful strides met me near the entrance to the bathroom.

With one arm snaked around my waist, he pulled me close. The clean scent of his clothes combined with the mixture of lake water, cologne, and sunscreen.

“Sterling.”

“I love you,” he said, his dark eyes staring down at me.

I leaned into his chest. “I know. I love you too. I just don’t want this new life to hurt my friends.”

He lifted my chin. “I want you to know, we’re doing everything we can.”

I sighed. “I believe you.”

He leaned back as his gaze scanned me, warming my skin as it moved from my toes to my eyes, lingering at sensual places in between. “Once this is over, I’m untying those sexy knots.”

I nodded. “Deal.” I took a step back. “Now go to Reid so we can leave.”

Cupping my cheeks, his lips crashed with mine, lifting me to my tiptoes with his possessive pull. When we settled back to earth, he pulled away, yet his eyes remained fixed to mine. “I brought you here. I’ll make this right.”

I nodded as he turned away toward the doorway.

Why did it feel like he was saying goodbye?

I pushed the thought away, recognizing that I was simply emotional over what could be happening to Louisa.

Sterling disappeared behind the closing bedroom door as I stepped into the bathroom. Untying the knot behind my head and back, I removed the bikini top and shimmied out of the bottoms. As I pulled the tie from my ponytail, my hair fell over my shoulders. In the few days out on Lake Michigan, my skin had tanned and hair had lightened.

Was I becoming a different person as Winnie had said?

Refusing to dwell on it, I turned on the shower’s hot water. Stepping inside, I stood under the spray. As the water cascaded over me, more tears formed, wracking my body like a sledgehammer as sobs erupted like mushroom clouds within my chest and throat, each one blooming bigger and bigger as the reality of what was happening overwhelmed me.

Too many questions.

Where was she?

Where was Jason?

Was she safe?

Was he?

Was she scared?

How was baby Kennedy?

My knees bent as I fell to the bench and water continued to pour over me.

“I’m so sorry, Louisa. I’m so sorry.” I spoke aloud, my shoulders shaking as I admitted what I knew, what Sterling had tried to shield from me. “Lou, this is my fault. I brought you into this life, not to protect you—because look what’s happening. I did it selfishly because of my curiosity. I know you can’t understand, but Sterling offered me more than a new life. He offered me my life, the one I’d been born to live. I never meant for that to hurt you.”

I sniffed and sat taller. “Stop it, Araneae. You’re stronger than this.”

The emotion wasn’t helping Louisa. It wasn’t, but I would.

I stood again, determined that I’d meet with whoever this person was.

Winnie had said I seemed different. Maybe that was Sterling’s doing, but not entirely. Being with him, having him love me and my loving him in return, had given me a new strength. I lifted my face to the spray. I wasn’t afraid to do what the kidnappers asked because I knew Sterling, Patrick, and Reid would keep me safe. I knew that in my heart and soul.

I didn’t care what Agent Hunter said. Sterling had been honest with me and I with him. We would do whatever was necessary to save Louisa and Jason...and baby Kennedy.

No. No more emotion.

After quickly washing and rinsing my hair and using a soft cloth covered in bodywash to clean away the sunscreen, I turned off the water with a new sense of determination. Wrapping a plush towel around myself and running another over my wet hair, from a distance, I heard the ring of my cell phone.

Securing the towel over my breasts, I hurried to the bedroom suite. There on the bed was the bag I’d been carrying from the yacht. Reaching inside, I pulled out my cell phone.

STERLING was on the screen.

“Are you ready?” I asked as soon as I hit the green icon. “I’ll be downstairs in five minutes.” I’d worry about everything else on the plane. All I needed to do was throw on clothes and some shoes.

“Shelly found Jason.” His voice was stone cold. In my mind’s eye I saw his granite features and dark expression, hearing them drip from the simple statement.

My stomach dropped as I began to pace, my head growing faint as my circulation sped up. “Oh, please tell me he’s all right.”

“He will be. She found him in time.”

I gripped the phone tighter as my steps stilled. “What does that mean?”

“Araneae, he was unconscious and dehydrated...” Sterling took a deep breath. “...and a little bruised. He’d been locked in a shipping container on the property of your design facility.”

My pulse accelerated as I collapsed onto the edge of one of the overstuffed chairs near the big windows. The sight of Chicago’s lights coming to life wasn’t even registering. “Is he in the hospital?”

“We can’t risk that. He’s still unconscious, but Patrick said his vitals are improving.”

“Improving?!” My voice shrieked. “Jason needs medical help. He needs to wake up to tell us what happened and where Louisa is.”

“Listen to me. We’re going to get him medical attention, but until we find Louisa, we can’t risk the police.”

I nodded, trying to keep myself calm. “All right. I want to see him.”

“You will.”

“Has Shelly searched all of Sinful Threads’ properties for Louisa?” In my mind I thought of all the different places: the design center, the offices, and the storage facility.

“She has. She has help. They’re searching. Currently, it’s a needle in a haystack as we wait for another message.”

I shook my head. “Has Reid found the couriers?”

“Legit companies. Legit employees. A different one each time. Patrick had a few men question them. They’ve been employed for years. Reid confirmed it. He’s trying to get a read on the customers in security footage. We also have people watching all the possible couriers. It appears the customers are two different men, both with their face obstructed from the camera. Of course, they paid cash.”

I shook my head. “He’ll get something. You and Lorna keep telling me how great he is.”

“He is.”

“Okay. I’ll meet you downstairs in five minutes,” I said, standing, seeing my own reflection now in the large window and thinking that despite the sun of the last week, I was nearly as pale as the white towel wrapped around me.

“That won’t be necessary,” Sterling said.

“What?”

“We’re about to take off.”

“I-I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Araneae, you’re safe at home.”

“What the hell, Sterling?” My hands began to shake. “You can’t go without me. The people want to talk to me.” My sentences were coming faster and faster. “Don’t you dare do this.”

“I’ll call you with any more news. Don’t call Winnie. There’s a good chance her phone is tapped. No emails either. Reid’s already gone through the emails sent to you or Louisa. It’s better to stay offline so you don’t pop up on his searches.”

Now, my entire body was shaking—trembling—as tears returned. “You asshole. You can’t leave me here and order me to stay quiet. These are my friends.”

“I can. I just did.”

My queasiness from before warmed to a boiling rage rolling through me.

“Damn it, Sterling! You promised to be with me.”

“I also promised to take care of this and keep you safe. This is the best way. I’ll call you, Araneae. Don’t even think of leaving the apartment. You’re in the safest place right now.”

Oh my God. My mind was a cyclone of thoughts, most of them erratic and disconnected.

“I can’t leave. You have me locked in a fucking glass tower.” Before he could respond, I went on, “How?” My free hand hit my towel-covered thigh as I paced between the sofa and bed. “How can you do this without me if they want me?”

“We have a plan. I love you.”

The phone went dead.

“Oh no you don’t.” I hit the green icon to call him back. As soon as it connected, his voicemail answered.

With shaking hands, I hammered out a text.