Before she could respond, Curtis slammed a hand over her mouth, gripping her skin tightly. He covered her nose and mouth, making it hard for her to breathe.

She squirmed against him, and he reminded her of the knife by holding it against her side. She stilled immediately.

“Sasha!” Xander sounded worried.

Spots flitted in front of her eyes from lack of oxygen. Dammit, she didn’t want to faint and leave Xander to deal with the crazy man on his own. She caught sight of the snack table with the water pitcher nearby.

She kicked out her foot, knocking over the table. The metal pitcher and glasses crashed to the floor, shattering and making enough noise to be heard outside.

***

Xander was pissed and needed to take a walk. He wasn’t sure if his anger was directed at Sasha for being unable to commit to a simple weekend away or at himself for building up expectations when he knew better. She’d talked a good game about learning from the past, but when faced with a choice, she couldn’t make a decision. She’d said she needed time, when in reality, she wanted to weigh all her options first and choose the best one for her career.

He wasn’t so self-absorbed that he didn’t understand why she needed time. But his ego, which she’d damaged once before, and his heart, which, dammit, he’d given to her again, weren’t ready for the end.

“Xander.”

He stopped and turned to see Jared coming his way. “Why are you here and not with Sasha?”

“Rhodes is standing guard at the trailer. I stepped away to make a call.”

Xander nodded. “I’m going to head back. I’ll text you when we’re ready to head home.”

He made his way to the trailer and Rhodes was nowhere to be seen. No way in hell would the man take a break with Sasha inside. After the incident with Cassidy, her security, someone new to Alpha’s firm, had been fired for neglecting to meet her at the door and walk her to the car. Xander had no doubt everyone involved in this situation had been warned.

He glanced around the trailer, catching sight of someone laying in the bushes across the way. Which meant Sasha was in trouble. He shot a regret-filled look at the man on the ground and pulled out his phone, hitting redial for Jared. He filled him in as he ran to check on Sasha.

He jogged up the steps and yanked on the doorknob only to find it locked. She always left it open for him when she was inside, knowing her security detail was close by.

“Sasha?” he yelled out, trying again to yank on the doorknob. “Open up. It’s me.”

No one answered.

Frustrated, he called out again. “Sasha!”