“I’m on my way there. Just a second.” Nari sped up, zooming through the industrial park. She put Brigid on hold and punched in Angus’s burner-phone number. It went to the automated voice mail. “It’s Nari. Call me. Lassiter has my mom.” She hung up and returned to Brigid. “I’m back.” She swerved through the gates onto a busy street, ignoring the angry honking from other drivers.

“I sent out a call to the team, and Wolfe and Raider are headed your way. Malcolm is locking down the cul-de-sac. I’ll stay here at the computers,” Brigid said, her Irish brogue thick with emotion. “She’ll be okay, Nari. We’ll get there.”

Nari couldn’t breathe. She swung around a white SUV and punched the gas pedal to the floor, flipping on the windshield wipers as she did so. Her mom had to be okay. “He must’ve sent them an email from me with tickets. Even had a rental car waiting,” she gasped.

Brigid kept quiet. “Metro is two minutes away from your apartment. Just hold on.”

Nari drove faster, weaving through traffic, nearly jumping the curb twice. She sped away from the commercial area, winding by the trees that marked a nicer suburban area. The world flew by outside her car. Her hands shook, but she kept going as fast as possible.

A van shot out of a side street, clipping the back of her car. She screamed as the car spun wildly around and plunged into a tree. The airbag shot out, smashing into her face. It slowly deflated, tossing powder in the air as it did so.

“Nari!” Brigid yelled over the phone.

The world buzzed. Nari shook her head and tried to clear her vision. Had she just hit somebody? She fumbled for the phone. Something wet trickled down the side of her face.

Her door was ripped open and rough hands yanked her out. She tried to protest, lifting her arms, but the man didn’t relent. Her head swam. Nausea attacked her, and she finally focused on the face of the man pulling her.

“Lassiter,” she mumbled, right before he placed a rag over her nose and mouth.

Then there was only darkness.

* * *

“Nari. Wake up.” A gentle nudge prodded Nari’s shoulder.

She groaned and opened her eyelids, instantly regretting it as pain exploded down her face. Coughing, she shut her eyes until she could slowly open them without crying. Where was she? What had happened?

“Nari?”

“Mom?” Nari partially turned as memories slammed into her faster than the van had earlier. She sat up and instantly swayed, becoming dizzy. “Ugh.” She blinked several times and tried to focus her eyes.

A soft hand smoothed back her hair. “Take a minute. You’re okay.”

Her mom’s voice calmed her a little. She opened her eyes to see her mom sitting next to her, eyes wide with concern. “There you go.”