Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned 1)

I’m amazed that her douche ex-boyfriend had the nerve to show up at her place. I wasn’t sure why he was there at first but as soon as I mentioned money, he blanched.

Stupid asshole.

Just as I get up and make my way down the hall to the security room, Nat bursts into the hall holding a shoe. She looks shaken. Her eyes are red and puffy. She sees me and runs down the hall crying.

I pull her into a hug and say, “Whoa, there. What’s happened, babe?”

She sputters her response, “Tina was really l—late for work so I w—went to ch—check for her car. Her car was th—there and it was open, Nik. Her shoe was on the floor and her b—bag was still in the car. She’s gone, Nik. ”

My stomach drops.

No. God, no.

I ask, “Her cell?”

She responds, “Still in her bag. It looks like she struggled, Nik. There was a little blood on the ground and her shoe was on the road. I don’t think it was Tina’s blood because it was only a few drops, if it were Tina there would’ve been more. I’ve seen her bleed from the smallest cut. She bleeds like a faucet. ”

Two options here.

Jace the asshole snatched her up to get money out of her or Omarr has her.

I really hope it’s Jace. I don’t think he’d hurt her, he doesn’t look the type. Omarr, however, would get sick satisfaction out of torturing Tina.

I tell Nat, “I need Jace’s cell number. ” She goes through Tina’s phone and gets it. I hope he hasn’t changed his number. I call from her cell.

I’m stunned when Jace answers, “Tina?”

I bark into the phone, “If Tina is with you, you better tell me you piece of shit. ”

He immediately sputters, “She’s not with me, I swear. I’m back in Cali!” I hang up.

I know fear when I hear it. He doesn’t know where Tina is.

I look over at Nat and shake my head.

The only other option is Omarr. If that motherfucker hurts Tina in any way, I’ll kill him. And Uncle Jerm won’t do a thing about it now that there’s a price on his nephew’s head.

I take Nat into the conference room and call for the guys. Max, Trick, and Ghost appear in the doorway smiling and joking until they take in Nat’s appearance. All of their faces drop. They know something’s happened.

I announce, “Omarr snatched Tina this morning. ”

None of them say a thing so I continue, “We need a plan. I’m pretty sure I know where he’ll take her but he won’t take her til later tonight. Thanks to my father, I have details on the place. Who’s in?”

All the guys nod their heads and we get to work.

***

Night falls and we’re ready to go ahead.

If I know Omarr’s style well enough, I’d say he likes Drama. He’ll most likely put on a show.

Ghost contacted Uncle Jerm, explained the situation and asked him to lower security for the night. After Tina saved his life, he was willing to go one further and offer his assistance in any way he could help.

We make our way to the factory in separate cars. The girls have been forbidden to come.

They weren’t happy about this but there is no way I’m putting them in danger. It’s bad enough I have to put my boys in this situation. At least the guys know what they’re in for.

I park right in front of the warehouse. The guys are going round back. I step out of the car and make my way to the office door. Once inside, I take a deep breath and open the connecting door to the factory.