Abducted Heart (Z-Series) Read Online Free Page B

years.”
    His answer seemed to pacify her, with the strain around her lips easing.
    “Are you sure I can't get you something to drink, some wine maybe?” The spark of interest in her eyes had Lynch thinking it was time to go. He'd gotten the information he came for.
    “No.” Lynch rose. “I've taken up enough of your time. Thanks for speaking with me.”
    A look of disappointment crossed her features, then quickly disappeared. She got up and led him to the door.
    “Can I ask a huge favor of you, Marian?” Lynch asked in a tone that always worked to get what he wanted.
    She looked at him and swallowed. “S...ure. What do you need?”
    He'd hit his mark.
    “Could we keep this conversation between us for now? I want to catch this guy and I think a buzz in the neighborhood could scare him off.”
    “Of course. My lips are sealed.”
    Lynch winked at her, then opened the door and left.
    She'd given him two leads to follow up on. The Neals' construction crew and the neighborhood's morally corrupt woman, Theresa Flynn, a voluptuous redhead who had allowed him in early that evening. His kind of gal. Between both, he hoped he'd find something to lead him to Brent. But first thing in the morning, he was going downtown to his ex-step-brother's place of business to find out if the man was involved in anything that could have gotten him kidnapped.
     
    *
     
    Casey's eyes flew open. A noise had startled her awake. She pulled herself up against the headboard and listened, thinking after a few moments she'd been dreaming.
    A squeak of a floorboard made her heart race.
    Was someone in her house? Coming up the stairs.
    Her mind went crazy with images of an intruder, hell-bent on taking whatever he wanted. Flashes of a man on top her, forcing her legs apart sent a cold chill skittering across her skin.
    Casey snatched her cell phone off the nightstand and stared blankly at the face. She couldn't call 9-1-1. Not when Brent's kidnappers could be watching the house.
    She scrolled down and found the number Lynch had given her before he'd left hours ago. She punched it in and waited, watching the door.
    One ring.
    Two.
    Pick up your phone .
    Three.
    Four.
    A groggy voice answered.
    “Lynch,” she said under her breath.
    “What's wrong, Casey?”
    “I think someone's in the house.”
    Another creak came, and it took all Casey's reserve not to scream. This one was closer. Practically outside her bedroom door.
    “Go hide. I'll be right there.”
    Casey scrambled from the bed and crawled to her closet. She eased open the door. Inside, she hid behind a large suitcase, her cell phone still clutched in a vise-like grip in her hand.
    How did someone get in the house?
    What were they after?
    Maybe it was Brent's kidnappers. Come to get the money. Or maybe not . Thank God the ransom was safely tucked in her office, where no one could find it.
    Rattling of the knob at her bedroom door had Casey drawing in some air. What if they found her? What would they do?
    Hinges squeaked. Someone was entering her room.
    If Lynch didn't get here soon, she could be...
    No. Don't think like that. He'll be here .
    She heard muffled steps. The person had to be standing next to the bed. The sound of the spread and sheets being torn from the mattress stopped her heart.
    The guy's guttural grunt restarted it again and had the blood pumping loudly in her ears.
    Close to the closet, a thump served as a warning that the intruder hadn't given up his search.
    Casey scooted farther against the wall, terror gripping her. Perspiration coated her prickly skin, and the nightgown she wore stuck to her body.
    A tall figure outlined the slats in the door and rough, heavy breathing resonated around her.
    Was it his or her own?
    Squealing brakes from outside the house had Casey sucking in another breath.
    Lynch .
    Muffled footsteps stumbled across the floor. Whoever was in her room was fleeing.
    Casey threw her head back against the closet wall and started to sob.
    When arms came