Luke was right, and although I was upset about what had happened in Wendy’s past, I didn’t blame myself for what was happening now. I understood there was nothing I could have done to prevent it. Short of keeping her confined to the house with the security alarm switched on. Yeah, I could see her allowing me to do that.
I kissed my man passionately and loped toward the shower.
***
It was almost nine before the police Luke had organized called in to say they had reached the Winters property and were ready for us.
Luke and I hadn’t slept much but had held each other close as the hours passed. We were both tense and on edge. I’d been out of bed since a little after six. I was nervous and restless, so rose to have a shower and dress.
Luke joined me in the shower where we spent the time jerking each other off and kissing, it was a wonderful distraction. After we washed, dried, and dressed, I’d paced the floor despite Luke’s pleas to sit down and at least try to relax.
Luke disconnected the call and picked up the keys to his truck which had been on a table by the door. “We’re ready, let’s go.”
“Finally.” I rushed into Luke’s arms, kissed him, grabbed his hand, and dragged him out to the truck.
Luke insisted on driving and I was pent up with nervous energy so didn’t argue. The property was less than ten minutes from town but it felt more like we’d travelled for hours before a police officer waved us down at the agreed rendezvous point.
He moved a barrier which blocked the road and Luke drove through before pulling his truck to a stop.
We both jumped out and approached the young officer.
“This way, sir, my name’s Renée.” She held her arm off to the side and we headed in the direction indicated.
We joined a group of around ten other police officers who all nodded in greeting. Luke held up his hand, and the men and women turned their attention to him. I noticed they all wore tactical vests, were armed, and held helmets in their hands.
“Everyone clear on their targets and positions?”
“Sir,” was the collective response. I guess that was their way of saying yes.
Renée, who’d wave us down, spoke.
“We’ve sighted four men around the property carrying out routine chores. Baling hay, training horses, corralling cattle. Our lookout just called in to say he’s sighted five men and a woman heading to the barn. The woman was being dragged against her will. The description fits your kidnapped young lady. We assume four of the men are her brothers and there’s also a heavy-set man.”
“Fuck, it’s happening again.” I paced in a circle, my fingers ripping at my scalp.
Luke grabbed my hand to prevent me from tearing off to save her and probably heading in the wrong direction. I had no idea where the property was from here.
“Move,” Luke ordered, and before the police scattered, one handed Luke a rifle, tactical vest, and helmet. He quickly readied himself before turning to me.
“I want you to remain here, Kyle. You’re a civilian and I don’t want you injured in the crossfire when all hell breaks loose. Please, stay with the officer who is watching the road. For me?”
It tore at me but Luke was right. I shouldn’t be with them. I wasn’t trained and I could put the police in danger as well as myself.
I knew if I insisted, Luke would be distracted by trying to keep me safe and we could both end up getting hurt.
As much as I wanted Wendy in my arms, I relinquished control to my man.
***
LUKE
I hated having to leave Kyle at the rendezvous point knowing how frantic he was about Wendy’s safety. But I had no option.
Renée, and another officer who introduced himself as Gary, had been tasked with helping me take down the men in the barn before they could harm the hostage. Two other officers would take the front of the house, two the back, and six would take care of any men nearby. A map of the property, and a basic plan of attack had been emailed to me the previous night, but when the lookout informed us of the activity in the barn, we adjusted it slightly.
Renée was the officer in charge at Nunagah Station, and she was the one I owed my thanks to for putting everything in place so quickly. She was an experienced officer who had been more than willing to help me when I’d explained what was happening. She confided she hated the Winters brothers with a passion, and would be more than happy to help me bring them to justice, especially the eldest, Charles. Her voice had been filled with malice as she spoke. I didn’t ask her why she felt the way she did and she didn’t volunteer the information.