CHARLOTTE WAS AWAKENED by a ray of sunlight settling over her face from the front room window. She groaned and stirred, realizing she wasn’t in her bed, and wasn’t alone... and her sister was missing.

“Vandi.” She tried to sit up, but found her face connecting with Niall’s very hard stomach. “Sorry.”

“You’re fine, sweetheart,” he said, and shifted so she could sit up. “There’s still no word on Vandi.”

She grimaced. “Did I wake you?”

He shook his head and smiled. “I’ve been up for about an hour.”

“Why didn’t you wake me?” she asked, and pulled the hair tie from her ponytail so she could fix it.

“Because you needed to sleep,” he said.

She dragged her hands down her face. “What time is it?”

Niall stood and stretched. “About six.”

Charlotte stared up at him. “Did you sleep like that all night?”

“Pretty much. But I can sleep anywhere.”

“Lucky you.” She stood and kissed him. “Any word from Ollie?”

“No, but Bruce will be here any minute. He picked Grace up at the airport a few minutes ago.”

“Grace is coming?” Charlotte asked, her hands clasped at her chest.

“Aye, lass.”

She bit her lip. “Which means Max, right?”

He grimaced. “Aye, lass.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Are you okay with that?”

“Don’t really think I have a choice, sweetheart,” he said, and hugged her. “You need her.”

She sighed. “Oooh, you are such a smart, smart man.”

He sighed. “I’m aware.”

“I’ll find out what’s going on with my parents and then we’ll figure out what to do about breakfast, okay?”

He nodded. “Perfect.”

Charlotte headed down the hallway just as a shout from the back of the house had her speeding toward the kitchen.

“We have a hit off the cell phone,” one of the men called out.

Charlotte arrived in the kitchen to find two new agents sitting at the table and the rest of Grace’s family milling around. They’d apparently arrived at some point while she’d slept. Her parents hovered by the kitchen island waiting for word on the location of the cell phone.

“Charlie,” Maggie said, and rushed in for a hug.

Spencer followed, releasing her just as Niall arrived. The Wilsons greeted him and in her worry, Charlotte bit her lip so hard, she drew blood. “What’s this about the cell phone?”

Before anyone could answer, she felt Niall’s hand on her lower back and then instant relief from her self-inflicted pain. “My man just picked Agent Moore up,” Niall told one of the men. “He said he’s following up on an Amber alert, is that right?”

Charlotte frowned up at him. You didn’t say anything about an Amber Alert.

“Yes,” Agent Smith said. “He’s heading straight to the location.”

You can stop with the daggers, love. Dalton just texted me.

“What does that mean?” Charlotte’s mom asked. “Have they found her?”

“We don’t know just yet, ma’am,” Agent Smith said. “We’re following up on the lead and will hopefully know something shortly.”

“Shouldn’t we have gotten some kind of ransom demand?” Charlotte’s father asked.

“We’re not certain they want money, sir.”

“What does that mean, exactly?” her mom demanded.

Niall pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “Excuse me, please.”

“What’s going on?” Charlotte asked.

“I’ll be back in a bit, love, just stay here.” He squeezed her hand and walked out of the kitchen.

“I still don’t understand. What do you mean, they don’t want money?” Charlotte’s mom demanded.

“Ma’am, we’re looking at all sides...”

The sound of the front door closing had Charlotte in a mild panic. Niall, if you’re going somewhere without me, I will kill you in the face.

I promise I’ll keep you apprised of what’s happening.

“Damn it!” she snapped, and made a run for the door. She opened it just as Bruce climbed in the driver’s seat. “Wait!”

He didn’t. He drove away before she could reach the car. Niall glanced back and gave her an apologetic smile, leaving her fuming on the porch.

Where are you going?

To get your sister.

Without me?

This is me filtering, sweetheart.

She burst into angry tears. That’s not entirely what I meant, Niall.

Trust me, okay? It’s better you’re safe with your family.

I swear, Niall, this conversation isn’t over.

I know, baby. I love you.

She let out a frustrated groan and stomped back into the house.

Her mother rushed down the hall toward her. “Charlie? What’s wrong?”

“I have no idea, Mom.”

“Where’s Niall?”

Charlotte linked her fingers and settled her hands on her head. “He’s gone to meet the FBI agent.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know, Mom,” she snapped. “He wouldn’t tell me.”

“Well, shit.”

Charlotte didn’t know why, but her mother’s swearing caught her the wrong way and she got a bad case of the giggles.

“What’s so funny?” her mother demanded.

Charlotte couldn’t answer, mostly because she couldn’t breathe. She lowered herself onto the bottom step of the staircase and wrapped her arms around her waist. Before her mom could ask her again, the front door flew open and Grace rushed inside, stalling in the foyer. “Charlie?”

Charlotte waved a hand in front of her face, her laughter now tears, and shook her head.

“She’s gone mad,” her mom told Grace.

“Well, she’s certainly losing it.” Grace knelt in front of Charlotte and squeezed her arms. “Hey. I asked the driver to drop me off here. Max is with Niall.”

“Well, bully for you,” Charlotte said. “You appear to be on the inside track. I’m apparently only on the need-to-know team.”

“Charlotte,” Grace admonished, and then glanced up at Charlotte’s mom. “They think they found how and where they’re transporting Vandi.”

Charlotte’s mom gasped. “Where?”

“There’s a private plane flying out of Portland tonight,” Grace explained. “Dalton’s got a team at the airstrip now ready to intercept it. The problem is that no one’s shown up with the girls yet, so the team’s not entirely sure how they plan to ship them.”

Charlotte forced herself to focus on what Grace was saying. “Where’s Niall?”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s not at the airstrip.”

Grace frowned. “How do you know that?”

Charlotte shrugged and took a deep breath. “I have no idea. I feel it,” she whispered.

Grace nodded as she closed her eyes briefly and then grimaced. “How about we see if this new driver will drive us to where the guys are.”

Charlotte nodded and stood.

“Where are you going?” her mom demanded.

“I don’t know,” Grace admitted, and hugged Charlotte’s mother. “Hi, by the way. I’m sorry I didn’t do that first.”

“Thanks, Gracie.” Charlotte’s mom sagged against her and hugged her back. “I don’t think you should go anywhere if it’s dangerous.”

“We won’t.” Grace smiled. “Max and Niall won’t let anything happen to us, Candi. And I promise, we’ll stay in the car if it looks like it’s getting hairy.”

“I should go with you.”

“No,” Charlotte snapped.

“Charlie,” Grace whispered in warning.

“Sorry, Mom.” Charlotte sighed. “Look, if you come with us, it’s just one more person we have to worry about. Let us go find out what’s going on, okay?”

Her mother frowned. “You’ll be safe, right?”

“Yes. I promise.” Charlotte grabbed her coat and purse and pulled the door open. Grace followed, climbing through the door the driver held open.

“What do you have in your pockets?” Grace asked as Bruce pulled away.

“Hmm?”

“Your pockets. I get a weird feeling something’s in your back pocket... and your front.”

“Oh,” Charlotte groaned, and pulled out the birth certificate. “Guess who’s not my real dad?”

“What?”

Charlotte handed her the document. “My dad isn’t my biological father.”

“Shut up.”

“My mom had an affair. It’s why they split up.”

“Wow, Chuck. That’s...” Grace returned the birth certificate. “I don’t know what to say.”

“I know.”

Grace reached over and took her hand. “We’ll figure this out, buddy. You know we will.”

“Do I? Because right now, all I’m getting are lies, so I don’t feel as though I can pick out what’s true and what’s fiction based upon the word of just one person... even if it’s you.”

Don’t alienate your best friend, sweetheart.

You’re on the top of my shit list right now, baby, so I suggest you keep your advice to yourself.

“You don’t scare me, you know,” Grace said. “You can growl all you like.”

Charlotte bit back frustrated tears. “I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for. I get it.”

“Thank you.”

“What about your other pocket?” Grace pressed.

“Oh, right,” Charlotte said, and pulled out the ring, slipping it onto her finger.

Grace studied the diamond. “Oh, honey, it’s gorgeous.”

“I know,” she agreed. “He has impeccable taste.”

Grace smiled. “Yes, he most definitely does.”

Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “How did you know about the stuff in my pockets?” she whispered. “Is that your ah... ‘gift’?”

Grace nodded. “I have physical empathy. I’m drawn to places and things, and my emotions connect to them. It’s really weird.”

“Is it like a bad feeling?”

Grace shook her head. “Not always. Actually, I haven’t quite figured out when it’s good and when it’s bad. Max says the more it happens, the easier it’ll be to decipher. But for now, it’s just an emotional charge.”

“Is that why you’re here?”

“Yes. I was drawn to my bracelet.” Grace smiled and held her arm up, the bracelet loose on her wrist. “Still am.”

Charlotte raised her arm, the identical bracelet gracing her wrist. “What a coincidence.”

Grace closed her eyes briefly and opened them with a grimace.

“What?” Charlotte demanded. “Is Max telling you something?”

“He can’t find Niall. He can feel him, but doesn’t know where he is.”

“Damn it!” Charlotte snapped, and tried to focus in on him. Where are you?

Close.

“What does that mean?” Charlotte pressed, out loud.

“What does what mean?” Grace asked.

“Sorry, not you.” Charlotte bit her lip. Niall, Max is trying to find you. Where are you?

Port of Portland, T-6.

“Niall says he’s at the Port of Portland, T-6 terminal,” Charlotte said.

Grace relayed the information to Max, and their driver entered the coordinates into the GPS for the port. Charlotte grew anxious as the car entered the freeway.

“Niall’s gone silent,” Charlotte grumbled.

Grace sighed and squeezed Charlotte’s hand. “So has Max.”

Charlotte picked at an invisible piece of stitching on her jeans as the driver maneuvered the car to their destination. They arrived to about a dozen government official vehicles, some black SUV’s and other police cruisers, and three ambulances, all with lights flashing. Large shipping containers were stacked off to the left, with one sitting alone in the middle of the shipping yard. Despite the crowd of people milling around, Charlotte didn’t see anyone she recognized, which only made her panic worsen.

“Ladies, stay in the car,” the driver instructed, and climbed from the car.

Charlotte unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle.

Grace pulled her back. “Don’t, Chuck. Let them do their job.”

“She’s my sister.”

Grace grabbed her arm. “I know, but if Max and Niall are distracted because they’re worried about us, it’ll make things a lot worse.”

Charlotte huffed, crossing her arms and sinking back into the seat. “This is lame.”

“I agree,” Grace said, and released her seatbelt. “Max isn’t answering me anymore, so they must be in the middle of something.”

Charlotte felt sudden pain and opened the car door.

“Charlie, wait!” Grace demanded.

“Something’s wrong with Niall. I can’t feel him anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

“I felt pain. Really bad pain and now I can’t feel him. I can’t feel his mind.” Charlotte jumped from the car and took off running, unprepared to be physically lifted from her feet before she could breach the perimeter the police had cordoned off. “Let me go!”

“Nei,” the deep voice said.

Charlotte turned to see who was holding her and gasped. “You! Who are you? Let me go!”

“Það er hættulegt.” (It’s dangerous.)

“So? You can’t tell me what to do!”

“Hætta að berjast, litla. Ég mun sleppa þér þegar það er óhætt.” (Stop fighting, little one. I will let you go when it’s safe.)

“Wait, how do I understand you?” She continued to struggle, but the man held her tighter.

“Við erum tengd.” (We are connected.)

“Connected, how?” She glanced around. “Why is no one listening to me?”

“I have told them not to,” he said in clipped English.

Charlotte saw Max and Bruce rushing toward a large metal container, a tall man behind them. Max ripped the door from the container and Niall stumbled out of it. He did not look well.

“Niall!” Charlotte screamed, and ran to his side. She barely registered the sudden release from the hulk who had been holding her. Niall fell to the ground and she knelt beside him. His face and arms were blistered and red and his body was starting to swell. “What did you do?”

“Vandi,” he rasped.

“She’s here?” she asked. “Inside?”

He nodded, swallowing heavily.

“Water!” she bellowed. “Someone, please get him some water.”

No one was listening. Chaos ensued as agents rushed past them toward the shipping container.

“I have suggested the EMS and law enforcement ignore my brother,” Max explained.

“Why? He needs help!” she screamed.

“Their help will only raise questions,” Max said. “We are the only ones who can do anything for him now.”

“Can you get him water? He needs water.”

“Water won’t help, Charlotte,” Max said, as he leaned over his brother.

“What do you mean? Why?” She ripped Niall’s shirt from him. He was blowing up like a balloon and the blistering was getting worse.

“The shipping container was obviously far above our temperature threshold, so water won’t help him. We don’t know how long he was trapped inside.” Max scurried to the opposite side of Niall and took Charlotte’s hand. “I’m going to have to try and heal him.”

Charlotte licked her lips. “Will it work?”

“I bloody well hope so,” he grumbled. “I’m going to try.”

Grace appeared out of nowhere and knelt beside her.

Charlotte nodded. “Okay, what can I do to help?”

“He’s in a lot of pain, but you’re going to have to try to ignore it.”

“I can feel it,” Charlotte said as she stared down at Niall.

“Charlotte.” Max touched her arm gently. “He’s going to fight you because the welts are probably all over his body now, but you need to hold on to him, okay?”

She bit her lip. “Where should I touch him?”

“Anywhere you can.”

Charlotte nodded again, leaning down close to Niall’s face. “I’m so sorry, baby. Max says this is going to hurt, but we’re going to try and make you better. I love you.” She grabbed his arms, pinning them to his sides, and held tight, despite Niall’s attempt to pull away.

“Help me, Charlotte. Close your eyes and envision the pain and welts disappearing,” Max said, holding Niall’s legs. “We’re going to see if you can help even though you’re not bound.”

“Ah... um...,” Charlotte stuttered.

“It’s, like praying, Charlie,” Grace clarified.

Charlotte closed her eyes and concentrated on speaking healing in her mind and she knew ice was flowing through her hands to cool Niall’s boiling body.

Niall started to cough and Charlotte took a minute to assess his condition. The swelling was much better, as were the welts. Charlotte’s chest felt like an elephant was sitting on it, and she realized she could feel Niall’s difficulty in breathing.

“He can’t breathe,” she said.

“Lay your hands on his chest,” Max said. “And breathe for him.”

“What?” she asked, laying her hands over his heart.

“Take deep breaths, Charlotte. Concentrate and get him to breathe with you.” Max shifted so he could cradle his brother’s head. “We need to roll him on his side, but don’t break contact.”

Niall groaned as they moved him, his body shaking from the pain. Grace knelt at Niall’s back and gently touched her knees to him in order to keep him on his side. Charlotte tried to focus on Niall, but panic was her ever-present irritant.

She bit back tears as she continued to force herself to breathe. Then, as a new onset of panic hit, it was gone. Peace covered her, and she was sure Niall was doing something to assist. She took comfort in his ability to calm her even in the horrific pain he was in, and focused back on the task at hand.

“I’m okay,” he rasped, grabbing for her hands on his chest. “I’m okay, baby.”

Charlotte sobbed as he rolled onto his back and pulled her on top of him. He held her tight and rubbed her back. “I’m okay, sweetheart. Where’s Vandi?”

She buried her face in his neck, still crying uncontrollably. Niall sat up, keeping her close and sliding her hair away from her face. “Hey,” he said. “I’m okay.”

Max handed Charlotte a handkerchief and she nodded her thanks, wiping her face and taking several deep breaths. Gunfire had Niall forcing Charlotte back to the ground and covering her with his body. Max did the same with Grace. Charlotte buried her face in Niall’s shoulder, her heart racing, but knowing Niall would protect her.

“Stay down,” Niall snapped, and was up and running before Charlotte could respond.

Max followed.

Grace slid closer to Charlotte and linked arms with her. Even though they were relatively sheltered behind a large shipping crate, Charlotte felt exposed. “Let’s move out of sight.”

“I think we should stay here,” Grace argued.

“We’re out in the open here, Grace. We have to get out of the way. Come on!” she snapped. “I don’t want to get shot, do you?”

“No, but we should stay here.”

“No. I’m not giving them an open target.” Charlotte rose to her knees and heard Grace scream before she felt pain in her shoulder. It was so severe, it knocked her to the ground, which caused her to smack her head. Strong arms lifted her from the ground and she blacked out just as Grace let out another scream.