LITMIR.BIZ

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      Devin’s heart rate kicked up a notch. Most likely, when combined with what had happened tonight, that wasn’t a coincidence.

      “Did you call the police?” Jenson asked.

      “No, I figured Anita would show up. Or that she lost track of time. Or... I don’t really know. I was at a loss as to what to do. I didn’t want a social worker to come and take Colby, though. I figured he was better off with me until his mom returned. Maybe, looking back, that wasn’t wise.” Sienna frowned as she glanced at the detective and then Devin, her gaze begging for understanding yet laced with regret.

      Jenson straightened, and Devin could tell he was skeptical about Sienna’s story. It did seem like a strange explanation, yet it could still be plausible. Police often investigated those closest to the case first. Nine times out of ten, it was someone familiar instead of a stranger.

      “We’ll need you to be available in case we have any more questions,” Jenson said.

      “Of course.” Sienna offered a tight nod, but her gaze showed her exhaustion.

      As the detective walked away, Devin turned toward Sienna. He knew this wasn’t any of his business. But he couldn’t stop himself from saying what needed to be said. All of his FBI training begged for his attention.

      “I realize this isn’t my place, but I don’t think you should stay at your house tonight,” he said. “It’s not safe.”

      “That could be true, but I’m not sure where else I can go.”

      The thought of them being in a hotel made Devin’s stomach churn. Sienna and Colby were too much of a target, and hotels weren’t secure. They needed more answers before Sienna resumed life as normal. Or even halfway normal.

      “This is going to sound strange.” Devin kept his voice professional. “I know it will. But I have a family cabin about an hour from here. Why don’t you use it?”

      “I’m not sure the idea of staying in a cabin miles from nowhere is comforting.” A moment of fear flickered in her gaze, and she glanced back down at Colby again.

      Devin wanted to ask her if there was anyone else she could stay with. But he didn’t. Because he knew that not anyone else would do. Sienna needed protection—at least until they had more answers.

      Devin had seen the gunman with his own eyes. He’d seen the ruthlessness in his gaze. Heard the malice in his voice. Devin knew that whoever he was, the man would go to extreme lengths to get what he wanted. And what he wanted was Colby.

      Devin was desperate to piece this together. Who was the man? Why did he want the baby? And where was this baby’s mom?

      When he put it all together, he didn’t like the picture it formed.

      The situation was full of danger and ruthlessness.

      “Listen, I’m FBI,” Devin started. “I’m currently on a leave of absence from the bureau, and I don’t have anything on my schedule. If you’re comfortable with it, I can stand guard while you’re there at the cabin.”

      Sienna still hesitated. “I don’t want to put you out.”

      “I can’t exactly sit back and resume life while my neighbor and an innocent child are threatened.”

      When she still didn’t agree, Devin softened his stance and his tone. If he’d only been a little friendlier, maybe she wouldn’t be so untrusting right now.

      “Do you have a better alternative?” Devin asked. “Because as long as I know the two of you are safe, I’m okay. I can stand down.”

      Sienna glanced at Colby again before shaking her head. “Not really. I have friends I could stay with...but most of them have kids, and I don’t want to put anyone else in danger. I have to look out for Colby. I really don’t know what to do.”

      “Just take me up on the offer. I promise, the invitation is purely professional.”

      Finally she nodded. “Okay. For Colby’s sake, I’ll do it. But please don’t make me regret it.”

      Just then, Detective Jenson walked back into the room, a grim look on his face. His eyes went to Sienna, some of that earlier doubt still there—and still strong.

      Devin braced himself for whatever he had to say.

      “We’re trying to locate Anita Gwinn,” he announced. “The bad news is that Anita Gwinn doesn’t appear to have existed until four months ago.”

       THREE

      Devin felt the tension pulling across his shoulders as he drove into the night with Sienna beside him and Colby sleeping in a car seat in the back of his SUV.

      They’d left the warm lights of suburbia and headed west, deeper into the Rocky Mountains. Homes and businesses were sparser out here, making it ideal as a hiding spot. Yet these mountains within themselves were a beautiful danger, one that needed to be appreciated and respected.

      Devin had grown up in Colorado, almost five hours away from this area, but had moved here when the FBI stationed him in Denver. His little town of Woodard’s Mill was on the outskirts of the city and felt like the perfect place to relax after a stressful day at work—whenever he finally went back to work. Things like this didn’t happen in neighborhoods like his.

      Except this had happened. Right next door.

      He couldn’t stop reviewing tonight’s events. Why things had played out as they had. What this story could possibly be. Those questions were what motivated him to solve every case he’d been handed while working in the criminal investigative division: answers that would ultimately lead to justice.

      He glanced over at Sienna, at her heavy eyelids as she stared out the window, and his heart panged with compassion.

      Truth was, he hadn’t exactly been friendly to the woman. She’d seemed nice enough. And maybe that was part of the reason he’d chosen not to speak and had only nodded curt greetings in passing.

      Getting close to people—and then losing them—was so hard. It was beyond hard.

      It was heartbreaking.

      Images of Grace and Willow filled his thoughts again, and a radiating pain began in his chest. What he wouldn’t give to have them beside him again. If he could go back and change time...

      But that was just wishful thinking that would get him nowhere.

      “Thanks for doing this,” Sienna murmured. She pulled her sweater tighter and glanced away from the window a moment.

      The somberness in her gaze spoke volumes. Tonight had shaken her to the core, yet she’d still remained graceful and kind. His respect for the woman grew.

      “It’s not a problem.” Devin stole another glance at her and saw her exhaustion. “I know you’ve been through this with the police, but could you tell me what you know about Anita?”

      Detective Jenson had told them that Anita Gwinn didn’t exist until four months ago. That had just been a preliminary finding, of course. The police would contact the school system and find her records there. They’d track down her Social Security number. There was still a good chance that the woman was real and did exist. It was too early to say.

      Sienna let out a heavy breath, as if carrying the burdens of the world. And, in a way, she was. She was carrying the burdens of Colby’s world, at least.

      “I wish I knew more,” she started, her voice soft and almost fragile. “I really do. But I only worked with Anita for a few months. She’d just moved here from Arizona. I had the impression she was leaving a bad situation. Maybe an abusive husband or boyfriend? She didn’t like to talk about it.”

      “You said there’s no father in

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