“Oh, no. Thank you for taking care of my dog.” Trace wags his tail. “I really need to get him associated with a doggie daycare.”

“Hello, Trace,” Stella says, greeting my canine like he’s a human. “It’s not a big deal. We’re right next door. And my son loves all animals. You know, we have a German shepherd. Does Trace like other dogs?”

“Sometimes,” I answer honestly. Trace is a small-sized dog, but he has the ego of a lion.

I’ve already written out his care instructions, which really aren’t extensive, but writing them out prevents confusion. As I take her through it all, she gives me the most curious smile.

“What?” I ask.

“So, you and Wolf?”

“Oh, no. It’s not like that. We’re strictly professional.”

She still smiles.

“Seriously.”

“But you stayed over?”

“Just because of the early hours.” There was another reason, too… “And the dog. You were…are…going to take care of my dog. He thought it was easiest. I slept in the guest room.” That’s a total lie, but it’s the lie we shall both tell. Technically, when we got back here, other than our shower time, we just slept. And lord, he is just the right height for me in the shower.

“What do you think of sleeping over, buddy?” Trace wags his tail. “Well, you can stay with us any time, but don’t get too used to staying here. This is what we call a bachelor pad,” she says as she scratches Trace’s head. That’s an odd comment to make. She’s clearly warning me and not my dog.

“Is he that much of a player?” I could totally see that.

“From what I’ve seen, more of a loner. There was this girl he was dating, but that ended up being completely fake.”

“Fake?”

“Yeah. He suspected she wanted to spy on him, so he played along.”

“They spied on each other?”

“Among other things.” Stella stands and glances around the condo. “And then, Trevor is convinced he’s seeing someone in San Diego. I’m not so sure.” My ribs contract, but I focus on relaxing my facial muscles. “When you’re down there, if you get any scoop, you’ll have to give us the skinny. But of course, I’m the curious one. Trevor couldn’t care less.” That smile remains on her face, and I do my absolute best to mimic it. Stella claps her hands. “Okay, well, I’m gonna head back home. I’ll bring my son back later in the morning. He’ll be the one walking Trace.”

The door swings open, and a sweaty Ryan fills the doorway. His wet t-shirt clings to his pecs, and his skin is flushed. His presence sucks the oxygen from my constricted lungs, my belly goes on the fritz, and when his eyes scan me, I swear, unruly sensations course over my skin.

“He got ransom instructions. Twenty-five million to an offshore account. I’ll be ready in five.”

CHAPTER 18

137 Hours Missing

Ryan

Alex spent the drive to the helicopter on her phone. Texting someone nonstop. I can’t read the screen on her phone at the angle she’s holding it, but before she angled the phone, I catch the name Timothy.