Page 33 (1/2)

"We just don’t know enough," Galen broke in with a grunt of disgust

"Still no clues?" Gabi asked

They shook their heads "If we hadn’t checked, these two subsfor quite a while before anyone noticed," Vance said "The kidnapper apparently chooses single women who don’t speak with relatives or friends every day And he covers his tracks In Atlanta, he sent one victi she had a death in the family and needed ti frustrated but lacking the sheer unhappiness the other two showed He undoubtedly cared ation than the victi all the decoys in place in case the kidnapper strikes a club twice," Galen said "But, Gabrielle, the chances are increasingly high he’ll take someone from the Shadowlands"

The chill rattled her bones like an icy wind What if so? I’m not a brave person, daently set it on the coffee table and took a cal and leaned back With a look that seeaze went froent…or an experienced dom? She narrowed her eyes at him, and a hint of a crease appeared in his cheek

She looked away Honestly, Gabi, it’s just your iination After soout of the corners like cockroaches

Vance said, "We’re keeping the news of thethe unsub Since we don’t knohere the delivery will take place, our only chance is to follow once a decoy is kidnapped It’s vital you do your utmost to attract his attention"

With his words, the fear she’d dammed broke over her like a tidal wave She dropped her eyes, putting her hands between her knees to hide the trehtness in her throat "Yes, I know" Her chin lifted "I’ll do my best"

The sympathy in Galen’s eyes almost did her in "I’m sorry, Gabrielle It’s not fair to you at all"

"What do you ainst her nerves "We’re guarding her" He added under his breath, "She’s not risking anything except a chill froent gave Rhodes

Galen shook his head at his partner and responded to Dickhead in a soft voice almost as bladelike as Marcus’s "You show her the respect you would for any volunteer--and you’d better guard her very, very well, Rhodes Am I clear?"

Rhodes’s face turned pale

Yeah, you idiot, not easy being on the other side of pissed-off dohed And that’s where she’d reht they had spent together, Marcus wouldn’t understand At all

Chapter Thirteen

On Saturday, Marcus halfheartedly watched Cullen lightly flog Andrea in the nearby scene area and tapped his fingers on the ar Gabi all week, her attitude on Friday night and this evening had come as an unwelcome surprise Last Sunday at his house, she’d been enthusiastic and loving, and he’d found her sassiness as cute as it was fun She’d brought his hole He’d wanted ht--hell, he’d known--she’d felt the same But on Sunday, when he’d returned her to the Shadowlands, she’d jumped in her car and… Well, he’d pretty

Marcus shook his head Last night, she’d treated hi had happened between them, and had returned to her bratty, inconsistent behavior with a vengeance Why? She’d loved surrendering to hih to know she hadn’t faked her submission there and that much of the crap she pulled here was forced But he sure hadn’t figured out what to do about it

A scream from the scene area drew his attention, and he s bartender undid his leathers and first took Andrea’stoys to ensure they both had a good ti the pretty sub couldn’t stand when Cullen unstrapped her from the sawhorse

As Cullen cared for his sub and cleaned the equipiven pero upstairs with a newer dos

Austin had lusted after an older doh nerve to flirt Quite successfully The doed an enthusiastic Austin off to the dungeon Marcus s

Uzuri had left early, and since Tanner had already played with a couple who’d wanted a third, he’d finish the evening by serving drinks in the theone ho that the little minx hadn’t mentioned her plan to leave; sassy as she was, Sally took her responsibilities seriously