Love you to Death by Shannon K. Butcher Read Free Book Online Page B

talk to people who might have seen her. Show her photo, offer cash for information. If it’s like most bars, there are a lot of regulars at Sally’s and someone as colorful and flamboyant as Ashley is bound to get noticed.”
    “You have to be careful who you talk to. There are a lot of dangerous people out there.”
    “How dangerous could it possibly be to go around asking questions about my sister?”
    “Some people protect their privacy more viciously than others. No one likes a nosey reporter.”
    Elise let his thinly veiled insult slide off her. “Story of my life. I’m used to it—and used to getting around people’s need to keep information to themselves.”
    Trent shook his head. “At least let me come with you.”
    “No. Ashley would have gone alone, so I need to, too.”
    “So, what? You’re going to dangle yourself out there as bait, hoping that if someone picked her up, they’ll do the same to you?”
    The thought had crossed her mind, and it must have shown in her face.
    “Shit,” spat Trent. “What makes you think that you won’t end up disappearing the way she did? How can you help her if you’re de—missing, too?”
    He’d almost said
dead
before he caught himself. Too bad Elise caught it, too.
    “You think she’s dead?” she asked, barely able to force the words through her dry throat. The empty water bottle dangled uselessly from her fingers.
    Something in his hard expression softened, making him look inhuman in his beauty. His voice was low and quiet—the kind of voice reserved for funerals. “I don’t know.”
    But he used to be a cop. He knew the odds.
    So did Elise. She’d googled them earlier today when she’d gone through Ashley’s e-mail. She knew that the chances of finding her sister alive were dwindling by the second. She had to
do
something, even if that something didn’t help. If she stopped doing, she’d start thinking, and that was dangerous.
    If she started thinking about Ashley and what could have happened to her, she’d crumple into a soggy heap and never get up again.
    She never should have let Ashley live alone, no matter how much she begged. She should have moved in with her. Taken care of her. Protected her from herself.
    But Ashley wanted to be free—she craved it the same way Elise did. After years of being overprotected by their mother, they both deserved a little freedom. Or so Elise thought. It was clear now that she’d been wrong. Selfish. She wanted to pursue her own dreams to see the world, and she couldn’t do that if she was tied to her scatterbrained sister.
    Elise refused to be selfish any longer. She was going to do whatever it took to find Ashley, even if it meant putting herself in danger. She’d do whatever she could to minimize the risk, but she wouldn’t back off. And anyone who stood in her way had to go.
    She looked up at Trent. “Thank you for all you’ve done. I appreciate it, but I think it’s best if you leave now.”
    “Why? So you can go and do something stupid?”
    “I need to get cleaned up.” She moved toward the front door.
    Trent didn’t take the hint. He stood in her path, unmoving. “You’re going to get yourself hurt.”
    She grabbed his thick arm and pulled him toward the door to help get him moving. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
    “I see stupid runs in your family.”
    Indignation flared hot inside her, making her words sharp. “Ashley isn’t stupid.”
    “So, it’s just you, then?”
    Elise refused to let his insult pull her in. He was trying to distract her, and she didn’t have time for it. “Please leave.”
    Trent shook his head and opened the front door, giving her a disappointed frown. “Let the police handle this. You’re going to get yourself killed.”
    “I’ve got pepper spray in my purse. I’ll be fine.”
    “Pepper spray? You really think that’s going to help if you get in trouble?”
    “Yes.” She had to think that. Anything else was too scary to deal with.
    He