Page 65 of Ransom for His Secret Son

“If I don’t hear from you within the hour…” Tarrant tsked softly “…I’ll put a bullet in Maria’s leg. And with every passing minute, she’ll get another shot until she’s dead. After that, I’ll find another hostage and start all over again until you bring me Christina, Eloise and Langley. Heads on silver platters are optional.”

Tarrant laughed, and then the line went dead.

BRODY STOOD THERE for a moment, gripping his phone so tight it might shatter in his hand.

Tarrant had just dictated the terms of a deadly game. One where an innocent woman’s life hung in the balance.

Brody hated that a monster like Tarrant had dragged Maria into this. She was nothing more than collateral damage to him, a pawn in a twisted play for survival. Brody’s gut churned at the thought of what Tarrant might already be doing to her, or what he would do if they didn’t move fast enough.

He needed a plan.

But first, he needed to get the players into place.

Tarrant had left him no choice. He wasn’t going to be able to find Tarrant in time to save Maria. The only way to keep her alive and prevent more bloodshed was to do exactly what the killer wanted.

For now.

Jaw clenched, Brody scrolled through his Contacts, found Christina’s number and hit Call. The phone rang twice before she answered.

“This better be important, Sheriff,” she snarled, obviously seeing his name on her caller ID.

Brody didn’t waste time. “Tarrant has a hostage, a woman who’s done nothing to him. An innocent. He’s demanding a meeting with you, Eloise and Langley. No cops. Just the three of you along with Remi and me.”

A long pause. Then Christina exhaled sharply. “That SOB.”

Brody agreed with that label. “Tarrant’s given us one hour to call him back with confirmation, or he starts shooting the hostage. One shot for every passing minute.”

She muttered a curse under her breath before her tone sharpened. “All right. If Tarrant wants a fight, he’ll get one. Where does he want to meet?”

He released the breath he’d been holding. Brody had hoped that Christina’s hatred and need for revenge was enough to spur her to action, and it apparently had been.

“Tarrant hasn’t given me that info yet,” Brody said, “but you’ll know as soon as I do. For now, let’s plan on meeting up in the parking lot of the Lost Canyon police station.”

“Fine. I just need a word with my nanny, and then I’ll be there in a half hour,” Christina added before she ended the call.

Brody nodded to himself. That was one down. Now he had to get Eloise and Langley in line.

And figure out how to turn this setup into Tarrant’s downfall.

Brody barely had time to process Christina’s agreement before he was dialing the next number.

Eloise picked up on the third ring. “Tell me you have Tarrant,” she demanded. “Tell me he’s dead.”

“Not yet,” Brody said. “But Tarrant has a hostage and is threatening to kill her.”

Eloise let out a soft curse.

Brody continued, his voice tight with frustration. “He’s demanding a meeting. You, Christina and Langley. No cops, no backup. Just the three of you and Remi and me.”

“When and where?” Eloise cut in before he could finish the last word.

Brody paused for half a beat. She hadn’t asked why, hadn’t hesitated.

She was ready.

“He hasn’t given the location yet,” Brody told her. “We’re supposed to call him back in an hour to confirm, and then he’ll tell us.”

“He won’t walk away from this,” Eloise murmured, her voice calm, almost satisfied. “One way or another, he’s meeting his maker.”