MACKENZIE WINTERS is an independent, willful survivor of a tainted past. A perfectionist from childhood, she had her whole future planned before eighth grade. Plans do not always work out.
A strong family upbringing taught her to fight for what she needed and fight is what Max did for many years. She fought medical odds that no teenage girl should have to face. She fought her way out of an abusive marriage to a crooked and sadistic cop. She fought the consequences of her poor choices with only the help of her beloved Rottweiler at her side. Most importantly, she fought to let go of fear and to enjoy life with her new adoring husband and miracle daughter.
Finally, a life worth living, Max lets her guard down. Her dream becomes a nightmare when her ex-husband makes good on his promise to never let her go.
She wakes up in an old barn, battered and broken. She endures unspeakable mental, physical and emotional trauma at the hands of her ex. No longer the only one in jeopardy, Max has much more to lose this time around with the threats to her family. How long can she hold on? How much torture can one's body take before giving in?
Max refuses to surrender. She knows her family will find her. Clues begin to unravel. Self-blame grips the search party. The past a glaring dagger of what ifs. What if Max had ignored her stubbornness and pride? Could this traumatic kidnapping been avoided had she confessed her secrets during the abusive marriage instead of hoping her silence would protect her family? Now her family is forced to question their own morals to save Max.
Love and family are powerful but are they enough to overcome raw evil?
This was her favorite of all the trails on Ron's three-hundred and forty acre ranch. The scenery captivated her. The small clearing in the alcove of trees opened to a magnificent view of the rolling hills, unaltered land as far as the eye could see. No obtrusive structures or billboards only a multitude of different sizes and shapes of livestock dotting the countryside. It was as if she and Apollo had stepped into their own oasis.
She stopped her horse beside a stream so he could take a drink. Max relaxed to the lulling sound of water rippling over the rocks. She closed her eyes, memorizing the moment, storing it away for a later recall to replace the darkness of her dreams. She edged Apollo on. They followed the undulating brook to where it merged into a small waterfall. The sunlight caught the watery slide, giving it an almost iridescent glow. Max decided she would get a sitter for Olivia on Sunday and surprise Trevor with a romantic picnic at this very spot.
When she turned Apollo back to the trail, he began to act strangely. He put his head down and fiercely began pawing at the ground.
She gave Apollo a meaningful kick to get moving, but the horse would not budge. The harder she squeezed the more he resisted, his body tensing under the saddle. She tried to divert his attention by lowering her grip on the rein, pulling his head in a different direction. He snorted and jerked his head side to side. The force of his movements nearly caused Max to drop the rein.
She could see nothing in the tree-lined path ahead into which Apollo stared. She focused intently for any sound that signified the rationale behind his erratic behavior. The only noises she heard were the scoffing of Apollo's grunts and the pounding of her own heartbeat resonating throughout her body. She was scared and even more frustrated that she could not get her horse to listen to her. Apollo could sense her fear, thus intensifying his anxiety. She inhaled a deep breath trying to calm down.
