The First Death (Columbia River, #4)(82)

We’ll find him his own dog when this is over.

Malcolm had a lot to learn and experience. Rowan was overwhelmed when she thought about his future. But the important part was that he was here. They’d tackle each challenge as it came.

“Let’s go!” Captain Vargas hollered at his men, who loaded into the SWAT vehicle. A command center the size of a motor home was ready to follow.

The captain, Evan, Malcolm, Rowan, and Thor were to ride in a Suburban, Malcolm giving directions. Once the captain knew the location of the building in the forest, he’d pull back and formalize a plan with his men.

The group loaded into the Suburban, Malcolm in front with the captain, and set off.

Rowan blew out a breath, trying to slow her pounding heart.

Hang on, West.



“Turn left onto the highway,” I tell the captain.

He is angry, his jaw tight. He’s told me to speak up three times. I feel as if I’m back with Liam.

It is familiar, and I relax a fraction.

I find assholes comforting?

Even I know there is something twisted in that logic.

My stomach churns, and I taste acid on the back of my tongue. I’m sweating, and I dab at my temples with the hem of my shirt. I risk a glance back at Rowan and make eye contact with Thor. The dog sits on the bench seat between Rowan and Evan, his ears turned toward me. Something eases in my chest. Thor doesn’t ask me questions, doesn’t have expectations, doesn’t look at me with confusion in his eyes.

But all the people do.

No wonder I’m drawn to him. He brings peace in this noisy new world.

I turn my attention to the road. “We’ll drive this for quite a while.”

“How long is ‘quite a while’?” the captain snaps.

I cringe, instinctively ducking my head. I inhale deeply and remind myself he is trying to help. “I’m not sure. We’ll pass an odd lava rock formation on the left and take the next turn. I don’t know its name. Might just have a number.”

The captain checks the position of the SWAT vehicle in his mirrors and repeats what I said over a radio.

“Copy.” The response crackles loudly in the vehicle.

I close my eyes and fight against waves of nausea.

I don’t want to go back.

Rowan and Evan swear I’ll be safe. That they won’t let him near me, but my anxiety tells me a different story. It says I’ll soon be back in the box with Liam yelling what an idiot I am for thinking I could escape.

Shudders shake me in my seat. I open my eyes and suck in a breath.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the captain frown at me. I know he hates me and thinks I’m stupid.

I’m not doing this for him; I’m doing it for three boys.

West, Elijah, and me.



Rowan wasn’t surprised at how fast the SWAT team had set up its command center and put its members into action. She’d witnessed it before.

Malcolm had led everyone to a road near where Liam had kept him captive.

Rowan gripped Evan’s hand as they watched the SWAT operation on video screens in the command center. It was crowded in the large motor home, and Malcolm had taken one look and said he’d wait outside. Thor was with him.

After scouting and checking maps and aerial views of the area, the team put together a plan. The target was a portable. One of those prebuilt rectangular buildings that businesses used for temporary on-site offices or when they simply needed a bit more space.

The team’s snipers, who also functioned as scouts, had spotted a white truck parked near the portable, and the aerial photos showed a small structure two hundred yards away. Rowan stared at the small square, nearly hidden by large trees, and knew that was where she and Malcolm had been held. When Malcolm had first mentioned being held in a box, she’d assumed it was that structure. He’d later clarified he’d been in a small wooden box, showing the size with his arms. During his demonstration, his mom had left the room, her face pale, and Rowan had had to turn away, feeling ill.

Evan gave her hand a double squeeze, and she met his gaze, seeing concern for her in his eyes. She must have done something odd while remembering the box explanation. She smiled and mouthed, “I’m fine.” They both turned their attention back to the screens, which showed choppy views from the team’s helmet cams. Two snipers had set up positions, relaying what they spotted through their sights to team members in the command center.

They reported no movement through the two small windows of the portable, and there was only one entrance.

The rest of the team set up closer to the structure, using the huge pine tree trunks for cover. Their brief statements and replies were broadcast into the command center. Rowan held her breath, knowing the team had decided to immediately enter the structure out of concern that a hostage situation could develop.

This is taking forever.

She understood the delicacy of the situation and had complete trust that the team knew what it was doing. But waiting for news of her nephew seemed to drag on forever.

West’s face had been haunting her, his brown eyes and happy smile. She’d been in constant text contact with Ivy, who was going insane while waiting at home with the rest of the family.

There was a sharp command and movement on every screen as the men moved into place. One moved directly to the door, and another’s view showed a small battering ram in the first man’s hands. He swung it and the flimsy door flew open. Men streamed in behind him, shouts filled the command center, the screen views disorienting from the jostling, and Rowan had to look away to avoid getting dizzy.