❦❦

It had been five hours since I found out Kate had been missing. Five goddamn hours that felt like the longest hours of my life. Running a hand through my hair furiously, I tried to keep my emotions under control.

I was on the garden terrace of my penthouse. The air around me carried the sweet scent of lavender and magnolia. I watched as the light morning breeze ruffled the leaves of the trees around me. Kate and I usually had our breakfast there on the terrace. Grimacing with the pain the memory caused me, I ran a hand on my face, trying to snap out of it but it was no use. I felt broken inside.

Just after leaving Nik's office, I had called Kate's mom and broken her the news that her daughter was missing. It was the hardest conversation I had ever had in my life. She was now on her way to LA with Kate's sister. My parents were in Seychelles on vacation and they were also on their way back.

An arm slipped around me suddenly, startling me. I turned to see Cheryl standing beside me. Her eyes held sadness and understanding and I put my arm around her, glad for her silent comfort.

"Nathan called. He will be here in an hour." She said breaking the silence. Nathan was in New York when I called him with the news. He was there to finalize an important business deal and I told him I didn't want him to come. But I should have known he would fly back home to be with me.

Even Cheryl was supposed to leave for Iceland for filming but she cancelled it to stay with me. At that moment, I was struck again by how lucky I was to have them in my life. They were the kind to drop everything at a moment's notice and come to me if I needed them, as I would do for them.

I became conscious of faint footsteps behind me. We both turned around to find Annie behind us, with a breakfast trolley.

I waved my hand gesturing her to take it back. "Thank you, Annie, but I'm not hungry." I appreciated the concern I saw in her eyes. But food was the last thing on my mind now. If anything, the sight of the extravagant breakfast repulsed me.

She nodded and left but not before giving me a worried look. I knew I wouldn't be able to eat anything until I had Kate safely back. I thought of her, cold and alone, terrified out of her mind. I wondered if she had anything to eat or drink. Would they even bother to feed her? My hands fisted. Was she even alive? The dark thought made my gut clench in denial. No. She couldn't be dead. I refused to even acknowledge the possibility.

Nik was so sure Michael would call me and make his demands clear. If it was money, he wanted in exchange for Kate then I was ready to give him any amount he named. But what if it wasn't about money? What if he just wanted to kill Kate to get me back for Ashley's death? I had never felt such a mixture of rage and fear and my whole body trembled.

"Jason?" Cheryl's concerned voice broke me out of my terrifying thoughts.

"If anything happened to Kate," I didn't bother to hide my emotions from her, "if she is harmed in anyway--"My voice trailed off as horrible images flashed in my mind.

Her arm squeezed my waist. "Nik will find her and bring her back to you safely. You know he won't leave any stone unturned"

"What if he is too late?"

"No. Don't do this to yourself." She said firmly. "You're not doing you any good by dwelling on the what ifs."

I exhaled slowly, willing myself to calm down but the terrifying thoughts refused to leave me.

❦❦❦

Twenty minutes later, I walked into the lobby of Valiente Securities where I was greeted by a burly man in a suit. A wire ran from his earpiece to the back of his head, disappearing beneath the collar of his shirt.

He gave me a polite smile and nod. "If you'll step this way, sir, Mr. Valiente is expecting you."

Nik was on the phone when I entered his cabin. He gestured for me to sit while he finished the conversation. I sat down on one of the leather chairs in front of his desk.

He finished the call and leaned back in his seat with a sigh. Drumming his fingers absently on the desk, he started updating me on the investigation. "We have issued a BOLO on Michael, Andy and Kate to all the law enforcement agencies in the state. As soon as we get any information from them I have a team ready to move on it."

"What about the media?"

"Already released Michael and Andy's pictures to the local tv stations and newspapers. We thought it best not to release Kate's picture."

When I frowned he started explaining. "You're a high-profile person, Jason. The moment the press figures out your relationship to her this could blow up. The guaranteed extensive media coverage would complicate things. There are people in the public who would do anything for a little bit of publicity. I don't want all those lunatics calling us and giving us false information just for the sake of their five minutes of fame."

I sighed knowing he was right. "Did you find out anything from the gas attendant?"

"Not much. He couldn't recall the license plate number of the car Michael and Andy were driving. However, he said he overheard them talking about spending the next few days in San Marino."

I studied Nik with a frown. "But you don't believe that."

He nodded. "Michael knew where the security cameras were located at the gas station. He was careful enough to make sure the cameras didn't catch the license plate of their car. And he must have known we would go there and talk to the gas attendant."

"So he made sure the attendant heard them talking about going to San Marino."

"Exactly. He is obviously trying to throw us off his trail. He filled the car with 0.5 galleons of gas but the route between here and San Marino would require 0.6 galleons."

He pulled out a map from his drawer and spread it on his desk. "With 0.5 galleons of gas they would only be able to drive to a distance of 10.78 miles."

He used his pen to draw a circle around half a dozen cities. "These are all the cities within a driving distance of less than 11 miles from here so now we have a perimeter set. My agents are stationed outside this perimeter and we have helicopters hovering over the major interstates. We've got all the exits blocked."

He twirled the pen between his fingers and continued. "But I don't think Michael is sloppy enough to drive around in broad daylight when he knows we are on his trail. My best guess is they are hiding somewhere by now. I have choppers up, looking particularly for remote buildings, warehouses, anything that could be a potential hiding place in these cities." He tapped his forefinger on the circled area on the map.

I rubbed my hands against my face, trying to counteract the dull ache at my temple. "You're talking about six cities, Nik. There must be more than a hundred places they could be keeping Kate. The search would take days."

"Right now, we don't have any other lead to work on. Michael is two steps ahead of us. But eventually, he is going to slip up and make a mistake. And when he does, we'll nail him."

"What if you're too late?" My voice betrayed the fear I was feeling. "He hasn't called with his demands. May be has no plan to contact me at all. What if he abducted her just so he could...kill her?"

"Usually kidnappers make contact within ten hours of the kidnapping. It has only been five hours. Don't give up hope, Jason." He said softly. "We'll find her. I won't give up until we do."

"I know." Leaning forwards, I placed my elbows on my knees and pressed my knuckles against my forehead. I had complete faith in Nik and that was why I never even considered going to the feds. He had better resources than any law enforcement agency including the FBI and was extremely good at what he did. The feds had to follow strict protocol and were bound by a set of rules while investigating any case. They were constrained by law. However, Nik wouldn't hesitate to move outside the law if the need arose and he was influential enough to get away with it. If anyone could bring Kate back safely, it was him.

❦❦❦

❦❦

I felt as if I was falling through never ending darkness. I was trapped somewhere between unconsciousness and consciousness. My limbs felt heavy and I struggled against the paralyzing weakness that seemed to have taken over me. Through the fog of that darkness, I could hear faint voices. I tried to open my eyes but my eyelids felt heavy and sticky.

The last thing I remembered was falling unconscious as Michael strangled me. I gulped in air, filling my lungs. With each breath I took the sharp pain in my chest intensified. My throat burned like fire and I ached all over. The voices in the room faded away. I heard someone moving around accompanied by the sound of metal clanking. With every bit of strength I had left, I cracked my eyes open.

Michael was looming over me, with an ugly sneer on his face. "Welcome back." His grin stretched wide. He grabbed me by my arm and hurled me up into a sitting position. The movement caused dizziness to roll through me and I whimpered in pain. I felt as if the whole room was spinning out of control. Nausea gripped my stomach and I started coughing and retching. The next second I doubled over and threw up all over his shoes.

"You bitch, you stupid fucking bitch." He screamed letting go off my arm. I was still coughing when his fist connected with my face. The force of it sent my head reeling back and I fell backwards on the bed. White spots swam across my vision and the air left my lungs in a whoosh. Something warm trickled down my nose and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. The excruciating pain had me immobilized. I had no strength to even scream and I felt myself slipping into darkness again.

When I woke up, I was tied up in a chair. I blinked groggily and looked around. I was all alone. The front of my dress was still wet with vomit and blood so I knew I couldn't have been unconscious for long. My throat was raw and felt like sandpaper. I was cold, hungry and so thirsty but that dimmed in comparison to the agonizing pain I felt all over my body.

Suddenly I heard footsteps out of the door and a second later it flung open. I didn't look at him when he came inside, instead I kept my head head down.

"I brought you some food."

My head snapped up at Andy's voice. He was standing in front of me, holding a brown paper bag in one hand and a plastic chair in the other. Seeing him made me sick to my stomach. His betrayal hurt so much and I averted my eyes not wanting him to see the sudden tears that sprang up.

Without saying anything, he placed the chair in front of me and set the bag on it. After taking off his jacket, he draped it on the back of the chair. When he moved towards me I flinched in fear and he quickly held up his hands. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just going to free your hands."

He moved behind me and freed my hands. The relief I felt was instant. My wrists were chaffed and red from the rope burns.

After picking up the paper bag from the chair, he held it out to me. "Here." When I made no move to take it, he sighed. "It's not drugged, if that's what you're thinking."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and finally met his gaze. There were so many questions I wanted to ask him. But all I could feel when I looked at him was a deep hatred.

His eyes travelled over me, taking in my blood streaked face and clothes. An uncomfortable look passed on his face. "I know you won't believe me but I'm really sorry for my part in all this. I hope you understand, it's nothing personal."

"How could you?" My voice was so hoarse, barely above a whisper. "I trusted you. I thought we were friends."

"Like I said, it's nothing personal. It's just business. Michael paid me a lot of money to pull this off." He paused and then stared at me with a hint of regret visible in his eyes. "At first, this was just a job for me. But when I started spending time with you and Hal, I got to know you a little better and I really started liking you. I tried to back out of the plan, I really did, believe me, but by then it was too late."

Hope fluttered in my chest. "It's not too late. You can still let me go." I begged desperately. "Please, Andy."

"I'm sorry." He shook his head and then held out the paper bag again. "Take this and eat."

I knew from his face that pleading would get me nowhere. He wasn't going to help me. Wiping my eyes, I took the bag from him. Peering inside the bag, I found it contained a cheese burger and fries. For some reason, the aroma wafting from it made my stomach churn. I was suddenly gagging violently but there was nothing in my stomach to throw up.

Andy started patting my back but I shrugged him off. "Don't touch me." I managed to gasp out. He moved away and stood silent until my gag reflex passed. "Can you get me some water?"

"I'll be right back." He nodded. "Don't try to run, Kate. I'd hate to hurt you." He warned before leaving.

I knew even if I wanted to run I couldn't. My body was too weak. The smell of the burger was still making me nauseas so I put it back on the chair in front of me. As I did so, my eyes landed on Andy's jacket which he had left on the back of the chair. A sudden thought struck me and I quickly stood up. The movement caused dizziness to resurface again and I had to hold on to the chair until it passed.

Moving quickly, I grabbed his jacket and started searching through the pockets. My heart was palpitating in my chest and my hands shook. When I saw a cellphone and a battery inside one of the pockets I almost wept with relief.

Knowing that I had only a few seconds before he returned, I quickly inserted the battery in the phone and turned it on. The display lit up but the little ray of hope inside me died instantly when I saw he had set a lock code. But then I realized I could still use it to call the emergency numbers even if it was locked. However, before I could do so, I heard footsteps outside the door. Hastily shoving the phone back in the pocket, I draped the jacket on the back of the chair again.

Andy came in just as I sat back in my chair. I tried to appear calm but my insides were balled up in fear. What if he checked his jacket and realized the phone was switched on? I hadn't got time to to take the battery out. I prayed the phone wouldn't ring and alert him to what I had done.

He had brought me a bottle of water and I quickly drank it.

"Are you going to eat that?" Andy asked pointing to the burger.

"No."

He shrugged. "Very well. I'm going to tie you back now."

I didn't resist as he finished his task. My mind was on the phone. After he helped me back on the bed, he grabbed his jacket and started to leave.

Just as he reached the door, he paused and turned back to look at me. "I'm leaving the country tonight so you'll not see me again. Goodbye Kate." Before I could say anything, he walked out, shut the door behind him and locked it from outside.

I stared at the closed door, glad that he hadn't discovered the switched on phone. I just hoped he would be a long way from here when he found out. With him gone, I was completely at the mercy of Michael. My body shuddered as I thought of what horrors lay in store for me.

With difficulty, I maneuvered my body so I was leaning against the metal headboard of the bed. Drawing my knees up, I pressed rested my chin on them. My thoughts went to Jason and a sharp pain pierced my heart when I remembered our conversation at my place a week ago. When he told me he was in love with me I had so heartlessly told him to leave. For the past week, I had been convincing myself what I had done was the right thing but now I knew it was the biggest mistake of my life.

There was a chance I would never see him again. Michael had made clear what he wanted to do to me and I believed they weren't just empty words. If he killed me, then I would never have the chance to tell Jason how much I loved him. I would never have the chance to apologize to him for the hurt I caused him. My eyes blurred and hot tears fell over my cheeks.

I stayed in the same position, crying until my tears dried out. When I finally lifted my head from my knees, my eyes were swollen and I was a mess.

I drew in several deep shaky breath and was taken by surprise when a sudden wave of nausea struck me again. The air around me carried the smell of pickles and onions from the cheese burger Andy had brought me. I realized that was what had triggered the nausea. Biting my lips to keep the bile at bay, I glanced at the burger which was still on the chair. Even the sight of it made me sick. I wondered if the nausea was an after effect of whatever drug Andy had given me the previous night.

A sudden thought occurred to me that made my whole body go very still. It wasn't only today but throughout the past week I had been experiencing headaches, fatigue and even nausea in the morning. I had been missing Jason after the breakup so I thought it was a result of my grief.

However, now I wasn't so sure. My heart was beating uncontrollably fast as I mentally calculated when my last period had been.

"No." The words escaped my lips on a hoarse gasp. I was fifteen days late. How could I have not noticed? My period was always as regular as clockwork. I couldn't be pregnant. I frantically tried to reassure myself. I was on the pill, had always been since I was 18.

But deep inside, I knew that even pills were not 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. And Jason and I had never used condoms. I had this gut feeling inside me that I was pregnant. I didn't need a test to be sure. I knew my body well and there was no way I was wrong. I was carrying Jason's baby inside me.