Rupe launched himself through the automatic doors of the emergency department with Mike at his shoulder. At the reception desk, a couple of young mothers with distraught kids perched on their hips were trying to explain to the overworked receptionists why their offspring were in the process of deafening the whole waiting area.

“I’m looking for Jayne Seymour,” he said, ignoring the glares from the two mothers.

“If you’ll just wait a moment, sir,” the receptionist said. “I’m dealing with these ladies at the moment.”

Mike stepped forward and flashed his badge at the mothers. “Sorry to interrupt, ladies,” he said, giving them a warm, friendly smile. “Police business.” His gaze turned to the receptionist. “Jayne Seymour?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

The receptionist clicked her mouse several times. “Cubicle four.”

Rupe took off. He drew back the curtain of the cubicle and inhaled sharply when he saw what that bastard had done to his girl.

“From the look on your face, I take it I’m out of this year’s Miss World competition.” Despite the attempt at humour, her bottom lip wobbled.

As gently as he could, he drew her into his arms. “I’m here,” he said, stroking her hair. “You’re safe.”

Jayne began to cry then. His tough-as-they-come, sharp-witted, and even sharper-tongued girl broke down in his arms and sobbed. Rupe met Mike’s gaze and cocked his head. Mike nodded and stepped outside, pulling the curtain across to give them some privacy.

When she’d stopped crying, Rupe drew back and gently brushed a stray hair from her face. “What has the doctor said?”

She sniffed and dragged the back of her hand over her nose. “I’ve only been triaged so far. I need stitches in my foot, and he thinks my ribs may be cracked or at least very bruised. Same with my cheekbone. He’ll know more after the X-rays.”

Anger surged through Rupe. He wasn’t the kind of guy who experienced such extremes of emotion, but after what Jayne had been put through by that bastard, he’d see Fisher in hell. His emotions must have been playing out on his face because Jayne squeezed his arm.

“I’m going to be okay. That’s all that matters.”

Rupe shook his head. “No, it’s not.”

“Hey,” she said with a shake of his arm. “Rein in the alpha, okay?”

Despite the fury making his insides churn uncomfortably, he grinned. “I’ll do my best.” He tilted his head to one side. “Feel up to telling me what happened?”

She nodded. “Can you get Mike? He’ll need to hear this.”

Rupe stuck his head through the curtain and beckoned Mike over. They both pulled up a seat at Jayne’s bedside while she filled them in on the last two and a half days. When she reached the part where she escaped, intense pride surged through Rupe. He’d always known Jayne was tough—it was one of the things he found so very attractive about her. But the way she’d dealt with the horror of being kidnapped, beaten, and scared for her life humbled him.

“So he’s still underground?” Mike said when Jayne finished.

She shrugged. “I presume so, unless he’s managed to get out, although I don’t see how that’s possible.”

“Do you think you’d be able to draw us a map?” Mike asked.

“I can do better than that,” Jayne said. “I’ll show you personally, although I did wander around a bit in the woods, so it might take me a while to find the right spot. It’d be good if you could get helicopter support.”

Rupe stiffened his spine. “You’re not going back there.”

Jayne gave a small smile. “Rupert, you know I don’t react well to being told what to do.”

Mike chuckled and bumped Rupe’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t argue if I were you. Besides,” he added, “she won’t be alone.”

Rupe almost growled. “You’ve got that right.”

* * *

As the helicopter circled overhead, Jayne, Rupe, and Mike, along with a half-dozen other officers, set off through the woods from where the stranger had picked up Jayne earlier that day. Apprehension rolled through her system, but she needed to do this. For her sanity, she needed to see Fisher being led away in handcuffs. Being told about it after the fact wouldn’t be the same balm to her ravaged psyche.

Word came through that the helicopter had located a clearing about half a mile ahead. As the group reached the spot, Jayne gripped Rupe tightly.

“There it is,” she whispered, pointing at some wooden slats in the ground that were partially covered by twigs and leaves, which must have been blown across by the keen breeze. Off to the side was the discarded aluminium ladder. She was astounded at the memory of how she’d managed to keep her cool and drag the ladder out of the hole with Fisher launching himself at her.

Mike held up his hand. “Okay everyone, spread out, and wait for my orders. We don’t know what he’ll do when we open the hatch.”

One of the detectives bent down to open the trapdoor. The heavy bolt scraped in the lock, and Jayne held her breath. As the detective shone a torch into the darkness, Jayne pressed forwards.

“Morning, fucker.” Mike dropped the ladder into the hole. He motioned to the detective. “Go get him.”

Jayne could feel Rupe vibrating beside her as Fisher emerged from the hole in the ground. She wrapped her hand around his waist and squeezed. Rupe’s answering response was to shield her as Fisher was handcuffed, read his rights, and led away, but not before Jayne managed to meet his gaze. As he crossed in front of her, she stuck up her middle finger and mouthed, “Fuck you.”