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fought like a wildcat, kicking and scratching, screaming for help. She landed a punch to his ear, loosening his hold. With a cry she launched herself at the front door, but he caught her foot and she kicked at him, unable gain purchase on the cheap linoleum floor.
    She screamed, hoping one of the neighbors would, for once, call the police, but not holding out any hope. She fought Alex and held onto the bathroom door frame. Then he launched a kick at her ribs and she curled into a tight ball, trying to catch her breath and protect the necklace.
    She’d die before she’d let him take that from her.
     
    * * * *
     
     
    Thomas and Tyler were a bundle of nerves. They woke early, eagerly anticipating Nevvie’s arrival.
    Tyler also had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach that worsened by the minute. Something was desperately wrong. Nevvie wouldn’t change her mind, he was certain. Had the caveman discovered the plan? Was she okay? He’d fought the urge to call her yesterday for fear of making Alex suspicious, unsure if he monitored her calls.
    Eight o’clock came and went with no sign of Nevvie. Tyler paced in the kitchen while Thomas glowered at him from the counter.
    “Are you sure we didn’t go too far? Maybe she changed her mind.”
    “No, I’m telling you something’s wrong,” Tyler insisted. “If anything, she’d be early today, not late. She wouldn’t be late and not call, especially not today.” The sick feeling had grown to a fully enraged, gut-twisting scream. His instincts were never wrong, and a feeling like this meant something bad.
    Eight-ten. “I’m calling.” Tyler grabbed his cell, called, then frowned. “It’s going straight to voice mail, not even ringing. Her phone’s off.”
    Thomas looked out the front window. “I’ll admit this doesn’t look good. You said she’s close?”
    “Only twenty minutes on a bad day. Not even three miles.”
    Thomas disappeared to the bedroom. He returned, fully dressed, and tossed a pair of shoes to Tyler. “Let’s go find her.”
    Tyler slipped on his shoes. He left a note in case she arrived while they were gone, and followed Thomas out the door.
    “Which way?”
    Tyler gave him directions and Thomas frowned. “That’s in SuitcaseCity.”
    “It’s a dump. I hate the thought of our sweet girl living there.”
    Thomas pulled the Ridgeline into a parking spot next to the Escort, his jaw set in a hard line. “If we’ve got to drag her out of here kicking and screaming, she’s coming with us.”
    Tyler grimly nodded. “Agreed.” So much for finesse.
    They climbed out of the truck. That’s when they heard a woman’s terrified cries.
    Tyler sprinted across the commons toward her apartment, Thomas on his heels. Sure enough, the loud crashes and frantic cries came from apartment 111 . Thomas tried the knob, found it locked, and pounded on the door. “Nevvie, open up! It’s Thomas!”
    They heard another loud crash and a man’s enraged roar, followed by the sounds of someone being struck and Nevvie crying again.
    Thomas pushed Tyler out of his way, took a step back, and kicked the door. It gave way on the third blow and the two rushed inside. They didn’t see her and raced through the spartan apartment to the bedroom, where Nevvie cowered on the floor in a corner. Alex towered over her, kicking her.
    Thomas played defensive end for three years on his high school football team. The old skills came back as he dropped his shoulder and, with an enraged howl, charged Alex, driving him into the wall.
    Tyler raced to Nevvie’s side. At first she shrank from him. Then, recognizing him, she sobbed with relief and threw her arms around his neck. He scooped her up and carried her to the living room.
    “It’s all right, sweetheart, I’ve got you,” he soothed. “What do you need to take?”
    She felt her chest. “My purse. By the door.”
    “Anything else? Anything at all? You’re not coming back here—ever.” She looked horrible, at least