Page 105 of Lucky Haven

But until we have a lead, I don’t want to ruin anyone else’s night.

I ignore the message and flip over to social media. I’ve looked at Jeb’s various accounts before. I’m nosy and look at everyone who crosses my path.

But now I search for the Pelleys. For the teenage brat who dragged Haven into this mess. And it doesn’t take long to find a youth trip she took last summer, the cabin location tagged.

When she was fifteen.

Fuck.

I need to stop blaming her starting this. She didn’t start this.

Jeb Martin did, almost thirteen years ago.

I recognize that cabin.

We went there, too. It belongs to a family friend or something, but I distinctly remember Martin bragging that it was like his own personal getaway. He took kids there all the time.

“My brothers are asking for an update,” I say slowly, making a show of going back to my text messages.

I let Jasper see that I’m messaging Ridge back.

Cash

Didn’t find her. Jasper is helping. On my way back.

But I don’t hit send.

When I head out the door of the sheriff’s office, I’m not going back to the fairground. I’m heading west, into the mountains, following the pinned location on a year-old social media post.

As far as leads go, it’s pretty fucking thin. But it’s all we’ve got right now.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Haven

I’m terrified when he finally stops the van. The door sliding open sounds and feels like a gunshot.

He’s silhouetted by a light, and I’m disoriented for a moment, but then I recognize the cabin behind him.

We came here a few times as a youth group. The first time he tried to kiss me, we were on a walk in the woods between the cabin and the road, and he made an excuse to slow us down from the rest of the group.

I’d been so shocked, I turned into a statue, and I spent the rest of the weekend avoiding his ever watchful gaze.

If there’s intent behind this location choice, it’s chilling. On top of the whole thing being terrifying.

He cuts the zip tie around my ankles. “Get up.”

By myself? My hands are bound.

“This is where you host the youth retreats.” I try to inch my way to the door, seemingly cooperating, but taking as much time as possible. I think it’s safe to show that I’m shocked that he’s brought me here. “People will know you come here.”

“Nobody knows I’m with you. And we aren’t going to be here long.”

Then I need to make sure we stay here as long as possible. “Kaitlyn knows. I was waiting for her!”

“So you could fill her head with lies.” He shakes his head. “She didn’t want to talk to you. She won’t care that you’re missing.”

That’s insane. “Am I that disposable in your mind? Spoiled goods nobody will care about?”