Rhett can't process the information that Ghost just told him, but all he knows is standing here talking any longer isn't helping them find Maria any quicker. "Okay, where are we going? How are we going to get her back?"

Ghost shakes his head and starts walking away toward the door. "You're not going anywhere I can't take you with me. You're a civilian."

"Do you really think I'm going to let you go out there without me while I wait here sitting on my hands waiting to hear if you've found Maria?"

"Can you shoot a gun?"

Rhett smiles and says, "I was raised in East Texas on a cattle ranch. I've been handling guns almost as long as I've been walking."

"A simple yes would have sufficed. Now go get dressed. She's been missing for a few hours already and we can't waste any more time."

The conversation stopped after that as Rhett quickly got dressed and they made their way downstairs to Ghosts' waiting SUV. They've been driving for a few minutes now and the silence has been driving Rhett insane. Finally, he asks, "How can you be sure we're going the right direction?"

"I'm not."

What kind of an answer is that? They've been following something on his phone the entire time they have been driving and he doesn't know where the hell they're going?

"But?"

"We got a tip that her father is still alive and that he faked his own death"

"You want to repeat that one?"

"She just got back from Florida where she attended her father's funeral. But apparently, he's not actually dead."

That must be what she was doing when they met, flying back from Florida. "So, what then? You know where her father is at?"

"I'm tracking his phone as we speak. If he's as dumb as I hope he is, we're about five minutes away from his location."

Five minutes feels like an eternity with so much uncertainty surrounding Maria's whereabouts. Rhett started this day thinking he would be going to a wedding with a gorgeous woman on his arm. Now he's praying with everything he's got that he can find that same woman and save her. He didn't know Maria last week or even a few days ago, but now he can't imagine what his life would be like without her in it.

Ghost brings his SUV to a stop and puts it in park. He pulls a case from the floor of the backseat and before Rhett can ask anything he opens it up revealing a set of handguns. He loads one and then the other keeping one for himself and handing the other to Rhett.

"I don't know what we're going to find when we go in there but be prepared to be on high alert. We don't have time to stake out the situation before going in there. Maria could be in serious danger if her cover was blown and I'm not willing to risk her safety."

He doesn't know where the sudden intensity of his feelings came from, but he asks, "What part do you play in all of this? I'm not saying I'm not appreciative that you're concerned about Maria, but you never really explained your connection to her.

"I knew her uncle. He died while serving and asked me to always look after her. He knew the kind of shit her father was up to and I've always kept an eye on her. When I heard rumblings about her dad faking his own death, I immediately got on a plane to find out if she was okay. I had just barely landed when I got her 911 text."

Rhett can't help but wonder how things would have turned out if Ghost hadn't hopped on a plane. He wouldn't even know that Maria is missing in the first place. As they both get out of the SUV, Rhett sends up a silent prayer that everything turns out okay and pushes all of his fears to the back of his mind.

Ghost motions toward the small house in front of them and they both head toward the garage first. They run by the side of the house and find a door on the side of the garage. Rhett waits impatiently as Ghost pushes the door open and slowly makes his way inside. He walks back outside and whispers, "Come on."

Nothing could prepare him for what they find inside. Maria is tied to a bed in the middle of the room with zip ties both at her wrists and ankles. She immediately starts crying when they come into the room and both Ghost and Rhett make quick work of her restraints. When she's fully released, she dives into Rhett's arms and he holds her tight.

Ghost looks over at Rhett and motions for them to head outside. "We're going to head back to my SUV and we're waiting for backup. I already called them on the way here, but I wanted to get in first to find her."

Rhett hugs her tighter to his body and carries her outside to the vehicle. When they're settled in the backseat he pulls her away slightly and assesses the damage to her body. She's got some nasty cuts and bruises but nothing that will leave permanent damage. It's still enough to piss him off and he says, "I don't care what kind of argument you have for me. You're coming back to Texas with me and that's that. None of this shit is okay Maria and you're not safe here."

"I know."

"Your father is in some deep shit and he just fucking had you kidnapped. You don't have to stay with me, but you're not staying here."

"Rhett, stop. I'm not fighting you on this. Today was the scariest day of my life. I owe you everything and I'm coming back with you. I don't want to stay here any longer than I have to."

"You're coming with me? No fight. No argument about being an independent woman and I can't order you around?"

She shakes her head from side to side. "No even strong women need comfort and support sometimes. I just want you to hold me and tell me everything is going to be okay."

Rhett wraps his arms around her body and does just that. Pulling her tightly into his embrace he holds her as the effects of today take their toll on her. Maria's body shakes with the sobs she releases and grips the front of his shirt like it's a lifeline.

He whispers reassurances into her hair as he holds her tight. "I've got you. Don't worry about it now. I'm never letting you go again."

And he isn't. Rhett doesn't know what the future will bring, but no matter what he will always have her back in whatever aspect she'll allow it.