Fractured

Stepping aside, I allow the rest of the guys to go in, but I need to talk to Jackson. “She’s everything to me,” I tell him earnestly. “I’ve never met someone who just got me. Even in her innocence, she was worldly. As if she was born an old soul.”

“When you love someone so deeply, when they’re in pain, you’ll feel it. I’m not some sappy asshole, but I know love when I see it.” I’m not sure about his backstory or what he went through, but from the ring on his finger, Jackson’s clearly found the love he’s talking about.

“It’s difficult knowing she’s out there and I can’t keep her safe.”

“When things like this happen, it shows us just how human we are. We may try to be heroes, but there are times it’s just out of our reach. Don’t blame yourself for her being gone. Focus on finding her.”

Nodding, I attempt a smile. “That’s what I’m going to do. Nothing is going to stand in my way.”

“That’s what I like to hear. Once we get a plan together, I think it’s best we stake out the place tonight, get a feel of what we’re dealing with. Then, when we know how heavily guarded it is, we can plan our attack.”

“Getting into that warehouse won’t be easy, I’m guessing?”

“No, this is one of the worst fuckers we’re dealing with. He’s eluded the feds for years. Even though he seems like a myth, I have a good feeling we’ll be taking him down very fucking soon.” Jackson’s eyes blaze with determination. I may be confident about doing this, about finding her, but deep down, self-doubt has a way of burying itself deep in my bones.

“All I can do is hope and fucking pray he hasn’t touched her,” I seethe, my jaw aching from clenching it so tightly. The thought of someone’s hands on her, of his mouth and body against hers, causes my blood to boil.

“Keep all that anger for when we get there. Focus. If you’re at all distracted on a job, it could be fatal. Even though you have a team of men behind you, remember to always have each other’s backs.”

“Thanks, Jackson. It means a lot to me that you’re willing to help.” I have a feeling they would’ve helped no matter what. They’re good guys.

“Come on. The sun is going down, and we need a plan of action.” He saunters into the house where Mark and the rest of the team are seated at a long dining room table.

The moment we’re settled, the meeting starts.

Chapter Seventeen

Autumn

We’re shoved around, slamming into each other. Each girl draped in a burlap sack. Their hair hangs loose in strings, and I wonder when the last time they saw a shower was. I’m going to be just like them. The pain in my heart makes it difficult to breathe. As if being stolen by the man who killed JD’s dad isn’t enough, I have now been put in a shipping container which is going to god-knows-where.

The hope that flickered in my stomach for so long seems to be going out, little by little, the flame overpowered by doubt. Surely my mother has figured out I’m gone. And I hope to God she doesn’t believe I would just run away. That’s not who I am, no matter what I’m going through.

If she could get a hold of JD, I know he’d come for me. Going to the police might be an option, or even his Dad’s colleagues could have information. I can only hope and pray she calls him.

I think briefly that I should’ve told my mother about Jackson Cole and Cole Security. The way JD spoke of them, I feel as if they would be able to help in a situation like this.

The loud, grating sound echoes around us, metal scraping against metal, and even in the dark, I know we’re being taken far away. We’ve been sitting in this container for a long while now. It’s so cold, my bones feel as if they’ve been frozen. But it’s the smell of wetness that seems to linger in my nostrils. The scent of mold takes over with every movement, and as I shift against the cool metal at my back, the dankness has infiltrated my senses.

The other girls are silent, one or two sniffle and hiccup, but nobody says a word. It’s almost as if we know they can hear us. Even though I’m certain they can’t. They’re probably inside, warm, with food and drink, while we sit in here, frozen, scared and alone.

Suddenly, everything stops. Like the movie I feel I’m in has been paused, and there are no more seconds left to my fate. And even as the hinges on the door squeak, I’m not ready to face whatever is on the other side.