THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

web of thick vines and caught on a metal rung, he expelled a sigh of relief. Vines wrapped the ladder and covered the wall as high as he could reach. With no idea if the metal was rusted to pieces or still strong, he tentatively placed his weight on each step. Once he stood on the roof, shafts of light shone upward through small holes in the ceiling.
    The only illuminated room was near the front quarter of the structure.
    Lightning flashed and exposed gaping holes in the roof where water funneled into the building.
    He switched on his small flashlight to hunt the center beam at the pitch of the roof rather than risk crashing through a weak area. Once there, he navigated to the light source.
    He knelt down and crawled close enough to peer into a bright opening.
    One of the largest men Zane had ever seen sat reclined in a chair with his tree-trunk legs propped on a crate. His meaty fingers tapped a rhythm to hard rock music vibrating out of a boom box. What had Trish said? Angel’s attacker could be a professional wrestler .
    If Angel was here, Zane would have to get her without tangling with this brute, or he’d be forced to use his weapon. He had to squint into the opening and move around without stopping the roof leak while he searched the room’s layout.
    There were two doorways in the small room. One exited the building and the other accessed another room. Zane shined his light over the roof to what should be the next room. Water streamed into the pitch-black hole through two ragged openings in the tin.
    He crawled to the edge of a hole as wide as his overstuffed chair. He couldn’t see a thing inside until lightning fingered across the sky, turning the dark night to daylight for several seconds.
    During the momentary brilliance, a dash of yellow brightened one corner.
    He’d found Angel.
     
    Chapter 46
     
    CK’s phone vibrated against his hip. He turned down the music, but still had to click up the receiver volume to hear over the downpour pounding the metal roof.
    “Speak.”
    “This is Joe. The plane just landed. I’ll let you know when I have ML and we’re on the way. Shouldn’t be more than thirty minutes.”
    “I’ll be here.”  CK thumbed the phone off and cranked up the music.
    His leggy captive should be primed for Mason after today. Mason wanted her pliable. Last time he’d seen her, she was close to being putty. Wouldn’t take much more to have her begging.
     
    Chapter 47
     
    Angel shivered hard. She tucked herself into a tighter ball on the damp floor. Rain clattered down on the building. The racket echoed through the room, sounding as though a thousand nails showered against the metallic surface. Something furry bumped her hand.
    She went from exhausted to terrified in less than three seconds. A rat? She wobbled to her feet, ready to flee if the animal jumped on her.
    Lightning exploded outside, sending a flash of light charging through the wide hole in the ceiling.
    A figure appeared in the center of the room. Was the giant sneaking up on her? Mason would be next.
    She couldn’t take any more. Fear snapped her control.
    Angel ran in the direction of the door, praying he’d left it unlocked when he came into the room. Halfway across the room, she was snatched off of her feet.
    “Noo...” died in her throat when a hand clamped over her mouth. Strain and fear had taken a toll. She made one puny attempt to struggle against the rock hard body and knew she couldn’t defeat his strength.
    She crumbled emotionally. Tears gushed down the sides of her face. Her knees gave way.
    Before she could fall to the ground, the hand covering her mouth slid away and two strong arms wrapped around her chest to support her. She heard, “Shhh. It’s me, Zane.” 
    That was the last straw. Her mind had snapped if she actually thought Zane would materialize out of thin air.
    Unable to stop, she cried in broken sobs smothered by the deafening rain. She felt herself shifted around until she cried against a broad chest. Long fingers on one hand supported her around the waist as another began stroking up and down her back.
    Her phantom kissed her forehead and whispered next to her ear. “Shhh, baby, it’s okay. I’m going to get you out of here.” 
    Zane was so very warm, even if he were a hallucination. She wanted to climb inside his heat. A shudder racked her body and he tucked her closer.
    “Honey, don’t cry. I swear I’ll get you out of here.”
    A hand cupped her chin, lifting it. Warm