Can’t Win Me Back

Preston laid out two demands in his ransom call—no guns and Landon had to come alone.

“Jasper, Lyse, and Cyrus,” Landon said. “You guys handle the situation here. I’ll go meet Preston.”

Without a second thought, Landon turned and headed for the door.

“Landon!” Jasper cried out, his heart hammering in his chest. He lunged forward and grabbed Landon’s arm. “This is Preston’s trap! He might kill you; you cannot go alone!”

“I know he wants to kill me,” Landon said with a humorless smile that quickly twisted into a grimace. It was a sight that tugged at the others’ hearts.

“Landon, we’ll go with you!” Alyssa declared with determination in her gaze. “We can stay hidden and wait for an opening. That way, we can save Lauren and Angelina for sure!”

Landon shook his head. “Lyse, thank you, but I can’t take that risk. If giving up my life means Lauren and Angelina can come back safely, then that’s a price I’m willing to pay.”

with tears, and Jasper’s heart sank

his eyes. He opened his hand, revealing a tiny camera. “Take this. It’ll allow you

as he took the

you, Lauren, or Angelina, you must all come back safe

smile

Jasper aren’t the only ones worrying and waiting for you. Count me in,

was slightly taken aback. Then, he smiled

cast a faint, silvery glow across the starless night sky, deepening

screeched against the asphalt as the sports car drifted steadily into the parking lot, coming to a stop in

a half-built commercial building that belonged to one of Harper