Page 22 of Saving Their Forever

* * *

Ripper

I curl my fingers around the “oh shit” handle in the sedan. Cara takes the corner too quickly, but she never loses control of the car. “Where did you say you learned to drive?”

“I took a defensive driving seminar when I was working at JSOC. I…didn’t exactly pass it. I mean, I didn’t crash, but apparently you’re not supposed to show the instructor how to drift.” She shoots me a wicked smile, but the strain in her eyes reminds me what’s at stake. Everything.

“You can drift?” The idea that she could play a starring role in a heist movie leaves me both turned on and a little—or a lot—afraid. What else is she keeping from me? “We need to have a talk about all these secrets, sunshine.”

“This is the only one. I promise. And it’s not a secret. I just rarely get a chance to do this in Seattle. Between the traffic and…well, the laws…I’d never try this on a normal day.”

She tightens her hands on the wheel and flips the turn signal.

The small parking garage at the co-working facility is empty. Dax and Evianna rented out the entire office. I’m glad there’s no one here. I didn’t bring a weapon—beyond my multi-tool—and I’m regretting not grabbing my Glock 19.

Cara pulls into a spot close to the door. I’m about to get out when my phone buzzes. “Shit. It’s Zephyr. I have to take this.”

“I’ll go get Dax and Evianna. Be right back.” She gives Charlie—in the backseat—a quick scratch behind the ears. “Stay here, buddy.”

“Cara—” I try to tell her not to go, but she’s already at the glass doors. She’ll be okay. Dax texted me less than five minutes ago and confirmed he and Evianna were alone and safe.

“Zephyr? Have you gotten into the hospital network yet?”

She scoffs. “I’m leaving that to West. He’ll have a lot better luck in person. I got into the traffic cameras though. Fifteen cars left the parking garage over a five-minute period around when Wren was taken. I’m sending you the feeds now.”

I pull my tablet out of my bag and tap the screen. Playing the first video at three times the speed, I curse under my breath. “Are they all like this? The angles? I can’t see inside the vehicles.”

“Yep. We need more eyes. How long until you’re at a computer?”

“Twenty minutes? We’re picking up Dax and Evianna, then heading to Ry’s.”

“Keep me posted,” she says. “If I find anything we can use, I’ll let you know.”

She ends the call, and I reach back and rub Charlie’s head. “Stay here, buddy. And when I get back, you’re going to have to sit on the floor. Sorry.”

Dax isn’t exactly the kind of guy who lets a dog sit on his lap. The man wears dress pants for every occasion. I think I’ve only seen him in jeans once since he and Ry pulled me out of that well.

Charlie lets out a quiet bark, like he understands what I’m saying, and settles down onto the seat.

There’s something in the air when I shut the car door and sweep my gaze around the garage. Something…dark. There’s a click, and the scuffing of a shoe on cement, and I freeze.

“Hands in the air, Sergeant Richards. Now.”

* * *

Dax

Rage flares bright hot. I can’t see the fuckers, but Evianna’s quiet whimper is enough for me to turn in their general direction. “Who are you and what do you want?” I growl.

The lights of the co-working space buzz overhead. Cara came in from the garage, and seconds later, two men burst through a side door I didn’t even know existed. One of them grabbed Evianna while the other went for Cara.

“Dax Holloway. You killed twenty-three men, women, and children in Herat ten years ago. You and your friends will pay for your crimes,” a rough, heavily accented voice says.

“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, asshole. I’m Special Forces. We were all over Afghanistan ten years ago. But we never killed women or kids. Ever.”

“You and your team destroyed an apartment building!” he snarls, and Evianna cries out.

“Don’t hurt her!” I take a step, but a third man slams his fist into my gut, and I double over. My cane clatters to the floor. A kick to the back of the knees sends me down after it, and the guy pins my arms behind my back and zip ties my wrists.

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