“We need back up,” Noah insisted, he started to guide me behind a pillar.
“We don’t have time for back up,” I protested.
He gave me a raised brow as he held his phone up to his ear. He frowned slightly as he handed me my phone, barely looking at the screen as it vibrated in his hand- the screen lighting up. I looked down in confusion at the number that popped up. I didn’t recognize the number but then my eyes widened.
“Hello,” I said into the phone holding my ear with my other hand, hoping to block out some of the outside noise.
“We found her,” I heard the thick NY accent, but then I froze as he continued. “Her daughter left her alone with the boy. Moe and I are taking care of Miranda. Once she’s taken out, Jr. can transform into Miranda and Dr. Cornwall will come with us willingly.”
I didn’t know if I had the capability to compel him through the phone, so I decided to give it a try. “You will stall Moe. He is to leave Miranda alone.” I commanded him.
There was a pause before he stated. “I’ll leave Miranda alone.”
“Forget this conversation,” I compelled him further.
My phone beeped indicating that he had hung up on me. I looked over at Noah. “That was Lorenzo. They plan on taking Miranda out so she drops her cloak. Then the other two will be posing as Miranda and take Dr. Cornwall and the boy.”
My stomach clenched and my heart raced. I didn’t know if my compulsion had worked or if the attack will soon occur.
“Who did you text?” I asked Noah as I picked up my phone.
“It was Jace,” he informed me.
I dialed Remy. “Hey Blake, we’re on our way,” he said after the first ring.
“They want Dr. Cornwall and the boy,” I stated without preamble. “We need to send a larger team out to them.”
“Copy that,” Remy said, and right as I was about to hang up, Remy quickly added, “We already told Noah to stand down. Try not to engage the subjects. We don’t want to spook them off. There’s no telling if she’ll disappear again.”
I peered around the pillar and could clearly see Lorenzo and someone I can only assume was Moe advancing on the top floor from two separate stairs. “We might have to. They’re here.” I hung up on him before he could protest.
I glared at both of the men advancing on Miranda and her companion. Note to self: compelling people through the phone wasn’t among things I could do.
Stop, I compelled both of the figures. They both simultaneously stopped in their positions. One was approximately ten feet away from them and the other twenty. Go get a drink. Don’t stop until you get kicked out. I continued.
They both walked over to the bar and took seats, waiting patiently for one of the busy bartenders to get to them.
I breathed a sigh of relief before I tried to return behind the pillar. From a distance, my eyes met Miranda’s. She had a look of disbelief on her face before she looked over at her companion.
I’m not here. I was only your imagination, I informed them.
Her companion looked my way and then whispered something in her ear. She shook her head, put her hand on her head, and laughed.
I sighed out in relief as I slid back behind Noah. My palms felt sweaty from my nerves. I felt sick to my stomach. I never imagined meeting this woman, and now she was a little over a hundred feet away from me.
“They’re here,” Noah stated as he looked over his shoulder.
I had to catch my breath as my other five guys came advancing towards us. Jace was dressed in grey slacks, shiny black shoes, and a baby blue button-down shirt. Remy was dressed in black slacks, black shoes, and a charcoal grey button-down shirt that fit snug on his thick muscles. Troy was dressed in black slacks, black shoes, and a snow-white shirt. Additional buttons were undone so I could see a silver cross hung about his neck, his sleeves slightly rolled up revealing an expensive silver watch on one hand and a thick silver bracelet on the other. Drake was advancing towards us sans glasses. He had on light grey slacks and a powder blue v-neck sweater with a white dress shirt beneath that. Jaxson took a dressy-casual look in dark jeans, brown and tan loafers, and a mint green top.
I noticed several girls checking them out and watching them hungrily. I smiled, knowing they were coming home with me. They made their way to my side, and I could see the looks of appreciation in their eyes as they looked at me in my outfit, minus the leather jacket.
“She’s up there,” I indicated the balcony and froze. She was no longer there.
“We need to cover all the exits before she realizes we’re here,” Jace spoke telepathically. “Blake and I will go to the fire escape. Noah and Remy, go cover the front. Drake and Troy, go to the kitchen exit. Jax, can you handle the alley exit?”
Jax nodded, and we immediately began to weave our way to our respective spots. I could feel Jace’s warm hand on the small of my back. I continued to look wildly around, hoping maybe they went to the bar or restroom. We climbed the stairs, and I was impressed that they had gotten the blue prints to the club. Impressed but not surprised. That was something Jace or Drake would have done the minute they found out she was here.
I thought I saw a flash of her gold dress and her golden heals exiting the fire escape. “Stop!” I commanded loudly in my head. “Both of you!” I added quickly.