Kace stood guard outside Bree’s door, arms folded across his chest. No one was getting in or out without going through him.

He fished his phone from his pocket. His first call was going to his sister. Kendra answered on the first ring.

“Sorry, I know I’ve been gone longer than I expected—”

“I called to Trudy to see if you’d been there half an hour ago. Are you okay?” The concern in her voice gutted him.

“It’s Bree. I found her and not in good shape. I’m at the hospital.”

An audible gasp came across the line. “What happened?”

“She was unconscious in a barn not far from the Hollow. I stopped by the old spot to say my goodbyes when I heard a scream.” He kept the rest of the details to himself but the desperate sound Bree had made would haunt him.

“Oh, God. That’s awful. Is she…? Will she…? Have you spoken to a doctor?” Kendra was trying to process. This kind of thing never happened in a bedroom community like Blushing.

“I’m sticking around until I find out. Doubt I’ll be home tonight.”

“Of course. I’ll call a babysitter and meet you—”

“There’s no reason for both of us to be here all night. I’ll text you with updates. You have the kids and the school party in the morning.” Kendra was grown but that wouldn’t keep Kace from trying to shield her from being exposed to the pure evil that was possible in the world. The pure evil that had somehow made its way to Blushing. Thinking about what had to have happened to Bree for her to end up in that barn in that condition caused him to white knuckle his phone out of lack of a better outlet for his anger.

Kendra issued a long pause before a slow sigh. “Promise you’ll keep me posted?”

“On the hour. Scout’s honor.”

“Thank you.”

“Kendra. Lock the door and set the alarm.”

She seemed to catch the undercurrent of what he was saying. “I’ll do it right now. You remember the code?”

“How could I forget?” It was their favorite number, 27, input twice. After a gloomy holiday, seven-year-old Kendra had announced that by twenty-seven she would have it all. Not twenty-six. Not twenty-eight. But twenty-seven. She said that gave her twenty years and a person could do anything in twenty years. It had become a cute saying between siblings that had stuck over the years.

Kendra bit back a yawn.

“Get some sleep. I have things covered here,” Kace urged.

“I’ll be waiting for an update. I doubt I’ll be able to sleep. It can’t hurt to close my eyes and try.” He heard the sounds of her punching in numbers on the keypad, arming the alarm. He’d never once seen her use it except to test the system even though Tom had insisted on having it.

“Goodnight, Kendra.”

“It’s bad, isn’t it? What happened to Bree,” she asked so quietly he almost didn’t hear it.

“It’s better now.”

His second call was to his new boss, Brendan Sudaki. Kace explained that getting on a plane in, he checked his watch, nine hours was impossible due to circumstances outside his control. Sudaki had said he understood but Kace was smart enough to realize this wasn’t the best way to start a new job.

Working on a rig was a tough gig to get and he needed this career to pan out because there was no plan B. This was it. Work the rig for three years, save every dime he didn’t absolutely need to live on, and then buy a cabin on a lake along with a bait and tackle shop. An annoying voice told him nothing could stop those relentless nightmares that woke him in the middle of the night, his lungs clawing for air, his forehead soaked as he watched Zeke drive away in the Humvee.

As much as Kendra wouldn’t mind if Kace ditched the new career to stick around, he had no reason to settle down in Blushing aside from her. This was her home and that was great for her. More guilt nipped at him thinking about it. She was his only family. He should be there for her. Damn if she wasn’t getting inside his head.

Kace had plans. Period. No reason to overthink his decision. He tapped the toe of his boot on the shiny hospital hallway tile. Patience wasn’t one of his virtues. At least he’d bought himself a day to make sure Bree would be okay. He couldn’t leave in good conscience without knowing she’d survive. That ever-present annoying-as-hell voice in the back of his head said he stuck around because he cared more than he wanted to admit. He shut that down. Bree belonged to Zeke and vice versa. It was a bitch that she was stuck with a poor substitute in Kace for the time being.

The door opened behind him and the doctor came out.

“I’m Dr. Miller.” The doctor shook Kace’s outstretched hand.

“Kace Fox. How’s my friend?” The image of Bree lying there helpless in his truck assaulted him. The face—her face—that had the ability to light up the day with a smile had been so lifeless.

“We won’t have labs back for another hour or two. We’ll know more then. Are you her next of kin?”

Kace positioned his feet in an athletic stance and crossed his arms over a broad chest. “Close enough.”

“Deputy Barrett said the two of you were connected. I wasn’t sure how. She’s lucky you found her when you did.” Dr. Miller shook his head. “She has contusions. There’s edema to her—”

“English, sir. Please.”

“There’s head trauma. We won’t know how severe it is until she regains consciousness. A nurse will come by in a few minutes to take her for an MRI but I’ll caution you not to expect too much this early.” Dr. Miller spoke with his fingers steepled and his shoulders hunkered forward. “I think there’s every reason to remain hopeful. A patch of her skin has been cut off above her ankle. The area is red and irritated, which is a sign of infection. That’s it for major concerns. She’s dehydrated and needs nourishment. The IV is replacing fluids.”

“Is the head trauma the reason she’s unconscious?”

“I suspect the labs will give us some indication as to whether or not she’s been given something to make her more compliant.” An apology was written all over Dr. Miller’s features as he spoke.

“Thank you for the update, sir.”

“You can go in now. Deputy Barrett said you’d most likely spend the night. It might be a long one in an uncomfortable chair. I’ll make sure you’re kept abreast of any developments,” Dr. Miller said.

“I appreciate it, sir.” Kace walked into the room where his childhood friend stood looking out the window. It was long-since dark. The lights inside the room were low. There were two beds and Bree occupied the one closest to the door. There was a curtain between the beds, left open.

“Travis Barrett, how the hell are you?”

“It’s good to see you, Kace. Didn’t think I would before you took off.” Travis turned around, worry had etched a wrinkle in his forehead.

“I’m here now,” Kace said with a glance toward Bree. He and Travis met in the middle of the room, greeting each other with a bear hug.

“She’s gonna be okay, man. You got there in time.” The optimistic tone sounded forced. Kace appreciated the sentiment anyway.

“The doc said something about an MRI.”

“It’s precautionary. He doesn’t want to miss anything.” Travis was close to Kace’s height and build. The two of them went way back. High school back. Kace figured the two of them would’ve been friends to this day if he’d stuck around Blushing.

“She doesn’t deserve this, Travis.” Bree was a good person.

“No. Which is why we’re going to catch the bastard who did this to her and prosecute the hell out of him. That’s a promise.” Travis had been one of the best running backs that Kace had ever seen. An injury had kept him from playing college ball but he’d always planned to go into law enforcement anyway. Kace wasn’t surprised he’d become a well-respected deputy.

“I know you will.”

Travis pulled out a notepad and his demeanor changed. He was going into work-mode. “Tell me everything you remember, every detail.”

Kace gave his statement.

“I’ve got a deputy on the crime scene now. He doesn’t want to risk trampling evidence so he’s roping it off for tonight. Said he might have to wait until daylight to see what’s actually there.”

“Any idea how or why this happened?” Kace figured it was probably too early to tell.

“It’s a shock. I have no idea.” He rubbed the scruff on his chin. “Sheriff’s on his way to the hospital. Said he wants to be the first one to talk to her once she wakes.”

Kace would rather Travis handle the case. He knew Bree. He would care the most about catching the bastard who did this to her.

“What about you? Don’t you have a plane to catch?”

“I don’t have to report for work for another twenty-four hours. I needed to see this through. Make sure she’ll be okay.” Kace watched her sleeping. Her shiny long blond hair stuck together in stringy clumps. Not even the bruising and cuts on her face could take away from her beauty, though.

“I cleared it with the doc for you to be here for now. My boss won’t like you being here.” Even in the low-lit room Kace could clearly see the look of apology on Travis’s face.

“Maybe he doesn’t get a say,” Kace fired back. He’d never liked Sheriff Halston Carr. The man had never earned his keep a day in his life. His wealthy aunt had used her considerable influence to ensure he’d been elected. As far as Kace was concerned, Carr had always been a freeloading jerk. Of course, being sheriff in Jackson County was easy work, considering most of the crime consisted of cow-tipping and running rowdy teens out of places like the Hollow.

“You don’t want to go against him,” Travis warned.

“I think I’ve got a good handle on—”

“Don’t,” Travis warned. “I know you’re still dealing with Zeke’s…with the fact that he’s gone. Trust me, you don’t want to make enemies here and especially with Carr.”

“Thanks for the advice, but I’m not walking into this blind.”

“He could make life hard for your sister.” Damn if that didn’t get Kace’s attention.

“Why do you work for such an asshole?”

“I don’t. I care about the people of Blushing. That’s who I work for and why I do this job.” Travis was third generation law enforcement. Most say he should’ve been sheriff. Kace wouldn’t disagree. The man was a saint and a damn good deputy, a damn good person.

“Fair enough.” Kace moved to Bree’s side. “I’m still not leaving. Not unless she wakes and tells me to go.”

He took her hand in his—hers was so small in comparison. And he felt a twitch in her right index finger. It was probably just reflex but he hoped it was something more, like maybe she liked the fact he was here and planned on staying until she could say what had happened. No way did he plan to leave her vulnerable and alone.

The door opened, and the sheriff walked in. He was mid-forties with a ruddy complexion. Tall and big boned, he strolled in like he owned the place. He wore jeans and a tan shirt with a cowboy hat and gun belt. His weapon rested on his right side and his hand hovered over the butt of his department-issued Glock.

Kace zeroed in on the weapon, making sure the sheriff damn sure noticed.

Carr’s gaze landed hard on Kace and his eyes narrowed.

“Kace is the primary witness in the investigation. He was just giving me his statement.” Travis spoke first. “The victim is Breanna Burke.”

“Bree Burke. The girl we’ve been getting calls about?” Carr made of show of crossing his arms over his chest. He could rest them on that potbelly. Kace wanted to point out that the man should most likely be taking notes instead of leaning back on the heels of his boots.

Bree’s hand tensed at the sound of Carr’s voice. Involuntary reaction? Kace’s gut told him not to mention it to the sheriff. Carr had always rubbed Kace the wrong way. This time was no exception. The man’s entitlement to the sheriff’s position and the authority—authority he hadn’t earned—that came with the job bothered Kace the most. It always had. Personal feelings aside, Kace thought the sheriff was underqualified and incompetent. Even for a county like Jackson.

“Has she been conscious?” Sheriff Carr’s back was ramrod straight as he surveyed the room.

“No, sir,” Travis said. “A nurse will be by to take her to get an MRI soon.”

Travis filled the sheriff in on everything they knew so far. Carr listened, nodding every so often. “I’ll take over from here.”

Bree’s finger twitched again.

Without drawing attention to himself, he slanted his gaze toward her face searching for something…movement. A flutter of her eyes. Anything that might tell him this was more than just reflex.

“Yes, sir.” Travis sounded resigned.

Carr turned to Kace. “Thank you for your statement. I’ll take over from here, son.”

Son? That word was fingernails on a chalkboard to Kace. “I’m the closest she has to next of kin. I’m sticking around.”

Kace sized up Carr, expecting a fight. He was surprised when he didn’t get one. There’d been rumors, hushed conversations, about the man’s childhood before his aunt had taken him in. Don’t get him wrong, he had sympathy for all abused kids. There was nothing worse than a person taking advantage of someone weaker. Kace could relate, even. He’d dealt with his past by going into the military and becoming the best damn soldier he could. Carr seemed to have taken a different route. One of rumored abuses of authority. The abused becoming an abuser—no matter how seemingly small—had never been an option for Kace.

“Her family moved away a couple years back if memory serves.” Carr looked down and to the right, a sign he was being shifty.

“That’s right.”

“Do you have a number where her mother or father can be reached?” Carr was focused on Kace now, looking him up and down like they’d had words in a bar. Sizing him up?

“No, I don’t. My sister might. I’ll ask her.” He had no intention of breaking physical contact with Bree. Her fingers tightened around his.

The door swung open and a pair of nurses entered with a gurney. “My name’s Millie and this is Adrienne. We’ll be taking Ms. Burke to get an MRI.”

Kace was grateful for the break in tension. He also intended to accompany Millie and Adrienne. There was no way Bree was being moved out of his sight.

“Call me when she wakes?” Carr pulled a business card from his front pocket and held it out to Kace.

Kace took the offering and stuffed it in his back pocket.

Carr was up to something.

The nurses managed to shift Bree onto the gurney.

“We’ll have her back in a few minutes,” Millie started but Kace was already shaking his head.

“I’m going with you.” The words came out with so much measured certainty Millie seemed to know better than to argue.

Carr followed them out and then disappeared down the hallway with Travis. Kace stood in the hallway outside the X-Ray room, his back against the wall. His cell buzzed. He checked the screen and saw that his sister was calling. “What’s up, Kendra?”

“I wanted to check on Bree. Any word about what happened to her?” It was late or early depending on one’s point of view, and his sister sounded like she hadn’t slept.

“She’s still unconscious. The doctor said she might have been given something to make her more compliant.”

Kendra took in a sharp breath.

“She took a few hits to the head and the sick bastard cut out a chunk of her skin above her ankle. Those are the main injuries. The doctor was optimistic about her recovery.” That was as much as Kace knew.

“Why would someone do that?” It said a lot about the sicko they’d be looking for.

“Had she been seeing anyone after finding out about Zeke?” The sad truth, Kace had read, was that a woman’s biggest threat was her husband or boyfriend.

“Not that I know of,” Kendra admitted. “It was a shock to hear that the two of them were in a relationship to begin with. I kind of thought…”

“What?” Those words struck harder than Kace knew better than to allow. He had no designs on her. He hadn’t made any promises to her. A voice in the back of his head reminded him it was his loss.

“Nothing. I guess I thought the two were an odd match. But what do I know?”

“Zeke’s a good guy,” Kace defended.

“He is…was…the best. That didn’t come out right. I’m just saying that I didn’t realize the two of them were even a thing.”

“They dated in high school.” Kace figured the two realized they still had feelings for each other and decided not to waste time. When a man figured out who he belonged with, it was game over. That an annoying voice returned, reminding him that figuring it out too late had cost him the win.

“Even so. There just never seemed to be any spark between them. You know? I always thought of them like best friends, brother and sister.” She sighed heavily. “What do I know about relationships.”

“Everything okay?”

“With Tom? Of course. Yeah. You know how it is. I don’t see him for long stretches and, don’t get me wrong, I miss him like crazy. There are days when I wonder what it would be like to have a husband home full time. You know, someone who shares kid duties and kisses me every night before we go to bed. He misses out on so much being gone all the time.”

Kendra couldn’t have outlined Kace’s feelings more accurately.

“I do understand.”

“If I wasn’t so damn proud of him it might be a bigger deal in our marriage. Plus, I only really think about him being gone so much during times like these. You know, the holidays are close and it gets so busy sometimes I’m ready to pull my hair out. And then there are those times when he does come home. Seeing him walk into the living room after a long stint away. Seeing that look in his eyes and realizing he missed me as much as I missed him.” She paused. “Makes the sacrifices worth it.”

Kace had never been one for looking at the flip side of a coin. His life had been black and white, which was most likely why he was so good at being a soldier and not so good at relationships. “When did you get so grown up and smart?”

“I’m not so sure about the grown-up part but I’ve always been smarter than you.” Kendra snort-laughed, a definite sign she was exhausted.

She was smarter than him even though he’d never admit it to her. “Someone sounds tired. Delusional is more like it.”

Kendra’s voice took on a serious note when she said, “I’m grateful you found Bree in time.” Those last two words were spoken with quiet sincerity.

“Same here.” The door behind him opened. He sidestepped to allow the nurses passage. “I gotta go. Get some sleep. I’m not sure when I’ll be home.”

“I’ll stop by the hospital in the morning after I drop the kids off at preschool.” His sister could always be counted on. She had been one of the few constants in his life.

“See you tomorrow.” Kace followed the nurses back to Bree’s room. Dr. Miller filed in just as she was being settled into her bed.

“Lab results are in.” He held up an opened file as he scanned the page. “Her numbers look good. She tested positive for ketamine.”

“The date-rape drug?”

Dr. Miller nodded. “I’m feeling even better about a full recovery.” He glanced at her in the bed. “At least physically.”

Kace didn’t ask what sort of horrors she might’ve endured that she’d be reliving the rest of her life.

“I’ll take a look at her X-ray and see you in a few minutes with hopefully more good news.” Dr. Miller excused himself after Kace thanked the man for the update. He truly appreciated being briefed so quickly on the situation. He texted his sister with the good news. He also needed to call Bree’s mother before she found out about the…attack? Kidnapping? Attempted murder? Kace wasn’t sure what to call it. He was just thankful he’d shown up to the Hollow when he had. The alternative sent fire racing through his veins.

Damn, he thought about the fact that the sheriff’s office would notify her next of kin. Kace texted Travis to request his friend be the one to call the family.

Travis responded almost immediately. Planned on it. Good. Travis knew Bree and her family personally. The news would come across better from him than Carr.

Kace texted back with an update about the labs. After, he took a seat next to Bree’s bed and took her hand in his. Her index finger twitched against his palm. It probably wasn’t more than reflex. Still, his heart beat a little faster and warmth spread through his chest. “I’m here, sweetheart.”

There was no more movement from Bree after that twitch.

Kace fought the urge to sleep. For the next few hours he kept vigilant watch on the door. When it opened, he sat up straighter, keeping Bree’s hand safely in his.

Travis walked in, serious-faced.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Seeing that look on his friend meant bad news.

“I’ve been digging into the case.” Travis rubbed the day-old stubble on his chin. He glanced at Bree before nodding his head toward the door. “You want to take a walk?”

“I’d rather be here when she wakes.” She would wake. She would be fine. There was no other option in his mind.

“Mind if I sit?” Travis motioned toward the chair close to Kace.

“Go ahead.” Whatever news was coming, Travis seemed like he needed to give Kace a minute to brace himself for it. Or maybe Travis was trying to find the right words. Either way, Kace didn’t figure this was going to be good news.

Travis nodded and took a seat close to Kace. He leaned forward and dropped his shoulders down.

“Tell me what’s going on.” Travis didn’t look like he’d slept.

“The strip of skin cut from Bree’s ankle kept bugging me. The ankle’s an odd choice and why a strip? Did this guy like a souvenir? It got me thinking this guy’s done this type of thing before. I input the information into a Department of Homeland Security database.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “No hits. So, I input her description, blond hair, brown eyes.” Travis studied his hands. “The fact that she lives in Texas.”

“I’m guessing that brought a few results.”

“One big one.” Travis looked up. “I got a call from a friend of mine by the name of Quint Axton. He’s an officer with San Antonio Police Department. Quint said it was probably a long shot, but he couldn’t shake a case he investigated last year from around this time. I told him what we knew, and he immediately asked how long she’d been missing. The line went dead quiet when I told him three days. His next question caused me to sit down. He asked if she was still alive. I told him she was, barely. Quint said if this is the same guy he’s thinking about she’s damn lucky. This asshole has done this before.”

“How many times?” Kace cocked a brow at his longtime friend.

“There’ve been thirteen other victims, all blonds, all from Texas in a triangle between Dallas, San Antonio and Houston.”

“A serial…what? Rapist? Murderer?” Kace forced his voice to stay low.

“Killer. He’s a serial killer. All the victims have been close to the same age as Bree. Similar physical descriptions.”

“Jesus.” Kace stabbed his fingers through his hair. “And what about the others? Were they able to give a description—”

Travis was already shaking his head. “There are no survivors. She’s the only one. The victims go missing for three days and then he kills them. This goes back at least eight years. Quint and the boys from San Antonio PD dubbed him Gingerbread Man.”

“He bakes them?” What kind of sick bastard would it take to do something like that to another person?

“Alive.” At the same time Travis spoke, Bree’s index finger twitched. Kace muttered a few choice words as he focused on her and her eyes blinked open.

Travis hopped to his feet. “I’ll get the nurse.”

Bree tried to blink her eyes open to search out the sound of Kace’s voice. The only tether to reality was his strong, masculine hand holding her steady. “Kace.”

“I’m here, sweetheart…Bree.”

A few more blinks and his dark features started coming into focus. That face, strong and chiseled. Those eyes, dark and intense. Those lashes, thick and black.

“Where am I?” She tamped down the panic rising inside her as she glanced around. The room was fuzzy, the lighting dim.

“You’re at Blushing Memorial Hospital. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.” His voice was laced with a mix of anguish and relief. “You have no idea how happy it makes me to see you awake, sweetheart.”

“How long?” A headache threatened to split her head in two. She pushed past the pain, trying her best to focus her thoughts.

He glanced at his wrist. “Ten hours, give or take.”

A young brunette scurried in with Travis on her heels. “I’m Cybil and I’m your nurse this morning.”

A kind face came into focus and Bree couldn’t help but notice the relief on the nurse’s features. The fog coating her brain was starting to lift and panic struck her as she remembered what had happened to her. She gasped and her free hand immediately dropped to her stomach. “What about the baby? Is my baby all right?”

Kace’s grip tightened on her hand.

“Yes. The baby is just fine,” Cybil reassured. “How about you? Is there anything I can get you to make you more comfortable?”

“My throat. Dry. Water?” Getting that many words out was a struggle. She tried to shake the fog and the current threatening to pull her under. The room was quiet save for the beeping noises coming from the monitors. Her brain hurt as she tried to focus on Kace’s reaction to the news she was pregnant.

“Sweetie.” Cybil touched Bree’s arm. “The doctor will be in shortly to talk to you. You’re safe now. This fella has been with you since you arrived. He found you. You’re going to be okay.” Those last two words, repeated, brought on an onslaught of emotion that had been bubbling up. Bree released the sobs building. She was safe. The man who’d told her she was as good as dead couldn’t touch her here. She gripped Kace’s hand tighter, linking their fingers. She was going to survive. The baby wasn’t hurt. And Kace was there beside her.

A cell phone buzzed.

“Sorry.” Travis pulled out his phone and checked the screen. “Dammit.”

“What is it, man?” Kace asked.

“The crime scene was set on fire. Any evidence we might’ve gotten from there is up in smoke.”