Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 189782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 949(@200wpm)___ 759(@250wpm)___ 633(@300wpm)
I dug human bones out of the ashes at Hoss. But this is different. It still has skin and blood, and it’s fucking fresh.
“It can’t be Denver’s,” I whisper. “The fingers are too thin, too smooth. I know every scar on both of his hands. There were a lot of them. This one…”
“Doesn’t have any distinguishing marks.”
Except for the knife running through it.
Not just any knife. I recognize the faded wooden handle, cracked with use.
“That’s the fillet knife.” A gasp escapes me. “The one Denver used when he stabbed Kody’s hand on the table.”
“Are you sure?”
“I would never forget it. I had to wash it after Kody removed it.”
“Are you okay?” His blue eyes search mine.
“I’m not panicking.” Not yet. I pull out my phone and illuminate the grisly appendage with the flashlight.
“Here.” He takes the device from me, shining the light. “Do you recognize the hand?”
“No. It doesn’t belong to Leo or Kody.”
I know their hands better than my own. But I’m desperate to call them, hear their voices, and confirm they’re okay.
“Wolfson?” He chokes.
My vision blurs as I peer closer, trying to rule him out.
“It’s a man’s hand. Wolf didn’t have scars on his. But he always had them covered in black ink.” My chin quivers. “I don’t know, Monty.” My entire body trembles. “We need to see what the note says.”
Grimly, he pulls it free from the blade, careful not to touch the hand. Unfolding it, he reads aloud, his voice low and tight with anger. “Happy anniversary, little girl. He will never touch you again.”
An icy shiver runs down my spine, pooling dread in my stomach.
Who?
I meet Monty’s eyes. “Who touched me?”
“A dozen different people at the hospital tonight.”
“Rhett.” I grab my phone from his grip. “I have to call him.”
“And Doyle.” Standing, he removes his device and turns to the waiting guard. “Is the yacht secure?”
“Yes.” Carl steps forward. “You should wait there.”
As Monty wraps an arm around me, guiding me back on board, the threat feels more real than ever, pressing in from all sides.
In the main cabin, I start to dial Rhett when a text comes in.
Unknown number: How will your date end? If you go to bed with the wolf, will the bear and the lion fuck the siren?
Every muscle in my body coils, ready to spring or flee. But I’m paralyzed.
I glance at Monty, but he’s already looking at me, his eyes sharpening, seeing it all on my face.
He plucks the phone from my trembling hands.
Fleeting shadows dart across his expression as he reads before his features settle into a chilling, impenetrable calm.
When he types a reply, it bounces back with a No longer in service response.
Clutching my hand, he leads me to the cabinet where he stores the satellite phone.
“Talk to the guys.” He presses numbers into the receiver and hands it to me. “I’ll call Rhett and Doyle.”
As the call connects, he steps a few feet away with his phone to his ear.
“Monty?” Leo answers on the first ring.
My knees buckle, and I slide down the cabinet to the floor. “It’s me. Is Kody with you?”
“He’s right here, love. What happened?”
“We received another delivery.”
I tell them about the knife, the hand, the note, and text message. Then I have to explain why I was off the island, the dinner, the visit to the hospital, and the significance of the date. They didn’t know today was the day Denver took me.
But Doyle knew.
By the time I finish answering their questions about my final therapy session with Doyle, Monty returns and sits on the floor beside me.
“Rhett is still at the hospital.” A muscle in his jaw bounces. “Doyle isn’t answering.”
My chest collapses.
“Why the fuck did you leave the island?” Kody growls through the phone loud enough that Monty hears him.
He takes the receiver from me. “Calm your ass down.”
They argue back and forth until Carl enters the cabin, announcing the local police are here.
“Listen to me,” Monty says into the phone. “I’m taking her home and keeping her safe. Don’t you dare try to fly back tonight. Wait until morning when it’s safe to fly. Use your fucking head.” He listens, nodding. “I know. We’re not letting this bastard win. We’ll find him.” Another pause. “She’ll call you when we’re back on the island. Yeah, you, too.”
He disconnects and turns his attention to me. “How are you doing?”
“Fantastic.” I grit my teeth. “How did they get so close to the yacht without being seen?”
“He’s been watching, waiting for the perfect moment.”
“How do you know it’s a he?”
“I don’t. But that note…my gut tells me this nutjob isn’t just an admirer. He’s possessive and jealous and wants you for himself.”
He will never touch you again.
What does that mean for Leo and Kody? And Monty, too? Will their body parts show up next?