‘Spare me the philosophizing. I hoped you’d have more for me than just faith.’

‘I know you’re worried, Callie Rose, but … Never mind.’ Tobey bit back what he wanted to say, clearly with difficulty. ‘We will get them back,’ he said again, this time with more certainty.

He shook his head at his protection officers. They didn’t enter the lift with us. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and told myself to give Tobey a break. He was right. Troy and Libby would be rescued – one way or another. I had to believe that. It was all I had to hang on to.

The two of us travelled up to his apartment in a silence that sank its eagle’s talons into my skin. I should’ve taken the stairs. All ten flights of them. It would’ve been less stressful than standing next to my ex-lover in this expectational, almost confrontational quiet.

Tobey stared resolutely straight ahead. I looked at him, the truth slapping me round the face. Being so adversarial with him was my way of trying to keep my emotional distance. I didn’t trust who I was or who I became in his company. It was my problem, but I was making it his.

‘I’m sorry, Tobey.’

He turned to me, relaxing only slightly. ‘You’re forgiven.’

Years ago, if the wind had blown in another direction, things might’ve been very different between us. I sighed. I needed to get my head on straight. I was Tobey’s lawyer – and that’s all I was. And that’s all I would ever be.

And yet …

This was ridiculous.

Get it together, Callie Rose.

‘Is it OK to talk freely in your apartment?’ I asked.

‘My apartment is swept for listening devices daily,’ Tobey replied. ‘I would never risk our conversations being overheard or recorded.’

‘What about Jon then? Have you heard from him yet? Is there any news?’

‘Not yet, but I choose to see that as a good sign.’

I lowered my head, my shoulders sagging. God, but I was tired. Tears, as sharp as pins, jabbed at my eyes. ‘Tell me honestly, Tobey, d’you think … they’re still alive?’

Unexpectedly, Tobey stepped forward to take me in his arms, pulling me close. ‘Don’t say that. Don’t even think it. Of course they’re still alive. They’ve got to be.’