Page 52 of Healer’s Betrayal

Bryce meets my gaze. “Her name is Alicia. I run a security team; she was one of my members. She turned on us a few months ago and murdered another one of my members, the guy in the picture I showed you.”

My stomach tightens. “I’m so sorry; they look...happy together.”

Ava nods, her eyes a little misty. “That’s the thing. At one point, I’m pretty sure she loved him like a brother.”

His eyes are hard. “She’s not to be trifled with; she’s incredibly dangerous.” He says the words to both Jackson and me. “If you give me your number, I’ll send you the write-up on her that we’ve sent out to multiple sources.” He glances at Ava. “Or I can have Ava get your number and send it to you if that makes you more comfortable.”

“No, it’s fine.” I rattle off my number to him, and it doesn’t escape my notice that everyone in the room, save Jackson puts it in their phone.

“Okay. I’m sending it now,” he says. “She’s five eleven, long dark hair, brown eyes. She was last seen in Phoenix, but that was months ago. She could be anywhere now.” I take all that in and hear my phone ping with an alert for an incoming text. I open it up as he continues, but his next words make my blood run cold.

“Her full name is Alica Renee Goldsman.”

Chapter 21

Kayla

The walls seem to close in around me, and I can’t breathe. Panic rises so hard and fast, I think I’m having a heart attack. I shove my chair back so fast, it falls to the floor. “Where’s Ransom?” I ask, my voice cracking.

Jackson takes one look at my face and is on his feet a second later. “What is it?”

I grab his arm and squeeze. “Ransom! Get him on the phone now!” I’m aware that I'm nearly yelling, but I can’t control it.

Jackson pulls out his phone and calls, putting it on speaker; but his eyes are locked on me. “Jackson,” Ransom answers.

“Is Noah there?” I ask, grabbing the phone from Jackson.

“That’s the thing. I just got here, and nobody’s answering the door. I was just going to reach out.”

“No,” I whisper.

Jackson’s eyes are on my face. “Kick it in,” Jackson says in a tone that I barley recognize.

I hold my breath and hear a sound from the other end. “They’re not here.” Ransom’s voice is flat.

“No,” I cry out as terror wraps itself around my heart and squeezes.

“Find them,” Jackson says.

I run towards the door, but strong arms wrap around me before I can get out the door. “Let go of me!” I demand.

“No.”

“I have to go find him,” my voice is desperate.

“I know, and we will. But you have to calm down first, and then we’ll make a plan. She’s incredibly dangerous; we don't go without a plan.” Jackson’s words are quiet but stern and send a wave of absolute terror for my brother through me. I can’t breathe; I can’t find the oxygen I need. “Kayla.” That deep voice sounds again, but I can’t focus on it. Then I feel two hands wrap around my neck. The hold is gentle, and I feel a light pressure against my forehead a moment later. “Breathe with me. In for four, out for four.”

“I can’t,” I say in a strangled cry and try to pull away, but his hold is incredibly strong. “Let go of me.”

“I’m not letting go until your breathing is even again.” I fight against him, but it’s useless. “Fight me all you want, Baby; I’m not letting go.” I gasp in another breath. “Breathe with me. In for four, out for four. Don’t focus on anything else but that.” I feel lightheaded and panicky in a way I don’t think I ever have before, and yet, he’s my anchor through the storm. I manage to suck in a little air. “There you go. Again.” We do it several more times until I’m able to breathe again. He finally pulls back slightly, keeping his hands around the sides and back of my neck. “Listen to me.” He makes sure my eyes are looking into his. “We will get your brother back. Nothing will stop that from happening.” I take in the fierce look on his face and manage to believe him. “There’s no other option.”

I nod, even as a tear slips down my cheek. “Jackson.” My voice breaks on the word, and he tugs me against his chest.

“I know.” His voice continues, but it’s not me he’s talking to. “She was the babysitter.”

I give myself sixty more seconds, and then I pull back and wipe my eyes and look at the people still in the room. Max is no longer there, and Bryce is deep in conversation with Raechel and Ava. But they all turn to us. “Renee is my babysitter,” I say flatly. “I’d have to look at the picture again because Renee has blond hair, but I know without looking it's a match.”

I see the look of determination in Bryce’s eyes; it matches the look in Jackson’s. “My team is already preparing even as we speak.” I remember how he said he has a security team of sorts. “I need all the info you can give me. Start with your brother.”