After the Storm(159)

            “Will Cece be there?”

            Rusty shrugged, smiling. “I’m not sure, but it’s entirely possible the entire family will be there.”

            Then, as if just realizing that Eve hadn’t been mentioned, Cammie’s excitement dimmed.

            “Where’s Evie? Won’t she be there too?”

            Her thumb automatically slid into her mouth as she gazed anxiously between Travis and Rusty.

            “Donovan will get her,” Travis said resolutely. “Now let Rusty help you get dressed so we can go see our grandparents.”


* * *


“YOU want to run that by me again?” Donovan asked in a lethal tone.

            He was staring holes through the young deputy, who didn’t look any happier to report the news than Donovan was to receive it.

            Donovan’s brothers and team members had all donned serious what-the-fuck looks. And then their expressions turned to ones of sympathy. They were all looking at him like he’d just been played for the ultimate sucker.

            Fuck that. No fucking way. There was no way Eve could have done what Sean just accused her of.

            “You heard me,” Sean said wearily. “The hell of it is, Rusty swears that Eve was convinced you betrayed her. Rusty was seriously pissed and frustrated because she wanted to help, and Eve told her that her loyalty belonged to her family. Not her. And that furthermore Eve didn’t want to put Rusty in danger. Not to mention she apologized for having to take Rusty’s Jeep, for tying her up and for taking money from a man she hadn’t even met. Doesn’t exactly sound like a hardened criminal, does it?”

            Donovan’s hand palmed the back of his neck and he closed his eyes. “Jesus Christ. She thinks I betrayed her? Where is she now, Sean? Tell me you know something. Anything.”

            “How long ago?” Garrett bit out. “When did this all go down, Sean?”

            Donovan swung around in surprise. Garrett was pissed, all right, but it didn’t seem to be directed at Eve. In fact, none of his brothers or the rest of Nathan and Joe’s team looked anything but . . . worried.

            “Well over an hour,” Sean said, his expression dark. “I responded to the alarm Rusty triggered, made damn sure she was okay and then sent her to Donovan’s house so Travis and Cammie wouldn’t be alone. I immediately put out a BOLO on Rusty’s Jeep and Eve. I did not list her as someone to be arrested. I reported it as a suspicious disappearance.”

            Donovan knew exactly what Garrett was alluding to with his question. The same knowledge was reflected in every single person in the room’s eyes.

            The smug son of a bitch already had her. It was why he didn’t act as if he gave a damn when he’d met with Donovan and his brothers. The bastard had already nabbed her and he thought he held all the cards. He pretended innocence and, after all, he had a pretty damn good alibi. He was there with Donovan, acting in the best interests of his “family,” when in fact he had Eve the entire time.

            “Steady,” Sam murmured, putting his hand out to Donovan.

            Donovan hadn’t even realized he’d bobbled. His knees went to jelly and he had to grasp Sam’s extended hand to keep from dropping in his tracks.

            “He has her,” Donovan said hoarsely, unnecessarily. “I have to get to Travis and Cammie. This will kill them. Dear God. I did this to her? How could she think I betrayed her?”

            He couldn’t control the utter bewilderment in his voice. On one level he realized he should be furious. That she’d threatened Rusty. Stolen from both her and his father. That she’d put herself at such a huge risk. But he could muster nothing but horrible, aching fear. And worry that he’d lose her.