Free No Home for the Holidays by Lillian Duncan Page A

thing. Anything was possible, and that life was all about choices. He needed to make a choice—something to shift the odds in his favor.
    He sat on a kitchen chair handcuffed to the rails. His feet were tied with a rope that went around the chair legs. Colton rocked back and forth on the chair until he managed to stand up. Inch by inch, he hopped his way to the kitchen. Sweat dripped into his eyes from the effort. He finally made it to the counter.
    A wooden knife block was filled with knives.
    He smashed the back of the chair against the counter. Finally, the wood splintered. A few more smashes and his hands were free. He still had the cuffs on but wasn’t connected to the chair any longer. He chose a large butcher knife. A few moments later, his feet were free. He kept the butcher knife.
    Ramon probably had guns somewhere in the cabin, but that would take time.
    Better to get out now. Someone could return at any moment. His hand was on the door knob when the sound of a car motor broke the silence. Colton peeked through the small window on the door.
    The car door opened.
    Chloe tumbled out.
    He wanted to run to help her, to comfort her. But then they’d both be at the mercy of Ramon. Time to make another choice. Colton was sure it was the right one. He ran to the sliding glass door. The bright red light of the alarm on the wall beside the door caught his eye. Oh, well, it couldn’t be helped. He yanked the door open.
    The alarm shrieked as he ran out onto the wooden deck.
    ~*~
    The blaring alarm increased Chloe’s panic.
    Agent Buckley’s fingers dug into her flesh.
    Tears welled from the pain.
    Ramon hit the buttons to stop the alarm.
    The instant silence was a blessing.
    “Where is he?” Ramon demanded.
    The room was empty. The meaning of the blaring alarm came to her as she stared at the open door that led to a deck. Colton had escaped. Thank you, God. Knowing that Colton was safe gave her the courage to face Ramon.
    Ramon turned to them. “Where’d he go?”
    The one goon looked around. “He’s gotta be here. There’s no way that preacher could get away. I had him taped and handcuffed.”
    Buckley dragged her as they followed Ramon through the house.
    They all stared at the broken chair in the kitchen.
    “Mmm. Guess he did get away, huh?” Chloe couldn’t resist taunting them.
    Ramon glared at her, his face mottled red with anger. “I don’t know what you’re smiling about. It’s not going to help you.” He slapped her. “You’re going to die, no matter what.”
    Stars swirled. Ignoring the stinging, she managed to smile. “Whatever you do to me doesn’t matter. He’ll get help, and before the day’s over your life as you know it will be gone. All the money. All the fame. Gone.”
    He slapped her again.
    She glared at him. “Gone. Gone. Gone.”
    “And you’ll be dead, dead, dead.”
    “All your money won’t help you now.” No longer afraid, she met his gaze. “I’ll be in heaven and you’ll be here, and your life will be anything but heaven. But don’t worry, many of the people in prison will be happy to be your friend, Ramon.”
    He raised his hand.
    She braced for another slap.
    Instead, he turned to the men. “I heard the alarm go off. That means he’s not too far away. Go find him. Now!”
    Buckley twisted her arm. “What about her?”
    Ramon nodded at the other man. “Start looking for him. We’ll be out as soon as we make sure she can’t get away.” He pushed her onto a chair.
    She kicked and her foot connected with Ramon’s knee.
    He slapped her. “Buck, get her under control.”
    The agent grabbed her arms from behind.
    She struggled. Every second gave Colton time to escape.
    Moments later, she was tied to the chair.
    Buckley looked at Ramon. “OK, I’ve got her under control. Now, I’m out of here.”
    “I don’t think so. You’re going to help us get this situation under control before you go anywhere.”
    “I can’t be a part of this.” He shook his head.