For the first time since being kidnapped, Riley felt fear.

Real fear.

It wasn’t the abstract, distant fear of what might happen, or the fear she’d managed to keep at bay with defiance and bravado. This was a cold, visceral terror that gripped her heart and sent a chill down her spine.

Her breath hitched as River leaned down some more. So close she could feel his breath on her cheek, the cruel smile on his face making her pulse quicken. He suddenly seemed much larger than he initially ...