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The vow tasted bitter on Aidan’s tongue, especially after his conversation with Marc But he had to shove his fears aside and go with his instincts And his instincts screamed that his team would rescue Lauren in time

“Your word is wearing thin,” Vance snapped “We have less than three days left Did you see Lauren’s face? How pale and terrified she is? She’s a young girl, Aidan Her life has barely begun And here I a to bring her home safely”

“You are doing so,” Aidan replied “Lauren’s continued safety relies on her kidnappers’ belief that you’re following their orders and not contacting law enforceroups are not known for their tolerance You’ve had faith in er”

Susan stopped pacing long enough to plant herself in front of Aidan “Vance sent them a portion of what they want So why haven’t they contacted him yet? Outlined their next step?”

Aidan responded with co their experts review the drawings to iti from them with further instructions Vance will also have seen and talked to Lauren again This will all coether—and well before their deadline”

“You’re that certain?” Vance asked, searching Aidan’s face

“Yes” Aidan didn’t blink, having successfully squelched his own fears “I’m that certain”

At that lanced down at it and then rose “I need to make a quick phone call I’ll be back shortly”

Susan jumped all over that: “Is it about Lauren?”

“It’s not froed carefully Noas definitely not the time for full disclosure—even after he’d read Sitons’ state of mind, he was deteration was too fluid and escalating too rapidly to provide a blow-by-blow update to his eht clients

He was already headed for the door, intending to read and respond to the email alone in his hotel room “Once I’ve handled this business matter, I’ll be back”

Siency code; he didn’t have time for niceties or explanations

Aidan sat down at the hotel desk and opened Simone’s email He read the contents and studied the photos before calling her

“Yes?”

“It’s me,” Aidan said “Are you able to talk?”