27
Ridley woke slowly, becoming aware bit by bit of the dull pain in her head, the aching throughout her left side, the hard surface beneath her body. She peeled her eyelids apart as she probed at her memory, trying to dredge up her last waking thoughts before—
Crap. Her heart leaped into action, sending renewed pain shooting through her head as the scene in her apartment rocketed to the surface of her mind. She pushed herself up and took stock of her surroundings: An empty, unfamiliar room. A closed door. A single window. And no Dad.
“Dad,” she whispered as her hand rose to the back of her head. Her fingers moved through her hair until she found the source of her headache: a large lump. One of Lawrence’s men must have hit her. “Where are you?” she muttered, climbing to her feet. Her th
