Chapter 55
They’d given her a mattress in the ballroom. Even though she’d protested that others needed it more, they’d insisted.
So she, the unofficial Event Director, was on her ass, on a pink-flowered quilt they’d taken from one of the kids who had too many. And everyone was still crowded around her. And Jake, sweet little Jake, was pressed up against her. Eyes drooping, worried. As if he knew something was deadly wrong.
“I’ve notified Dane.” Dante stood, grim, as he mentioned the RCMP officer. “He’s got no idea how he got here, or if he had an ally nearby. Either is possible. But they’re on the lookout, and once the snow lets up…”
Her heart sank, and she spoke. Couldn’t hold it in. “But the snow’s not supposed to let up for another few days.”
Kelley, beside her, just squeezed her hand. “Trust, honey. If you can.” She looked up at Dante.
She watched as he gave his woman an answering look. Boy, were they strong together. Strong for her, too. She was part of them now.
Part of the Terrence Point gang.
Tina came back from taking care of the kids. “They’re all so damn happy, even on the floor, with a blinding snowstorm outside. I never thought it would work out so amazing.”
Then a shocked look crossed her face, and she shot a look to Keara's face. “Oh hell, sorry, sweetie! I don’t mean that. I really don’t mean that.”
Christian put his hand on her shoulder, squeezed it. “Don’t blame yourself, Tina. It’s okay.” Tina flushed.
And suddenly, Willow appeared at his side. Close. Smiled at him, shot a warm but querying look at Tina. Back at Christian—and that one lingered. Was there a triangle developing right in front of her eyes?
She glanced at her cell, as yet another crazed message came in from Effie, and a more crazed, authentically hyper-European one came in from Ilona. But her mind jumped to the other thing that was worrying her. “Where’s Sven? He said he’d be back in a few. Where is he?”
“Sven?” Tina asked. “You know his truck is missing from the parking lot, right?”
Looks were exchanged. Then, Dante spoke. “He’s gone after Blaine.”
He stared at Keara. “I know him. He was having a struggle of conscience earlier, with all the stupid stuff going on around this place, under Williams. It’s just the sort of thing he’d do, especially now, in his frame of mind.” He paused. “But honestly, I think he would’ve done it anyway. For you, Keara. And, for Buddy. Because…oh hell. He’s got a thing for you, woman. The man’s gone to bring your dog back or…” He stopped abruptly.
Keara blinked. Sven had a thing for her?
And he’d do this for her? Enter the crazed storm the whole area was frightened of? Face a mad man who was so hell-bent on revenge for his only son that he’d made the staggering trip across one of the widest landmasses in the world, while ill?
But other words lingered through the darkness, lay there, unspoken. Words that made her shiver. What hadn’t he said? Why had Dante stopped? One glance at his face, and she knew the awful truth.
He’s gone to bring your dog back…or die trying.