Page 70 of Every Breath

Brandi rubbed her swollen ankles as the blood rushed back into them. She wished she had the keys to her cuffs, but at least she was mobile. She rushed to the door.

Standing on the other side was Rodney, a large butcher knife in his hand.

She let out a loud blood-curdling scream.

Ignoring his pain, Mason slid past the doctors and out the hospital door. He needed to sneak into the doctors’ locker room and steal a set of scrub tops because his shirt had been cut from his body when he had been brought into the hospital. He was glad that his jeans and shoes were still intact.

Mason dug into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. After assuring himself that he had enough money for a cab, he replaced it. His heart beat a rapid tattoo against his chest as tension gripped him. He knew something had happened to Brandi.

“She’s not at her house. He’s taken her.” Paul appeared next to him.

Mason whirled around angrily. The sudden movement caused him excruciating pain, but he stopped himself from grunting aloud.

“Paul, where were you when the car got trashed with Ben in it?”

“I can only do so much, you know. Although I couldn’t stop Rodney from tampering with your brakes, I was holding Ben when the car flipped. After that, I’ve been with Brandi all this time. I was helping her out of her restraints before Rodney could show up, but, unfortunately, he came back before she could escape. You have to get over there and fast.”

“No, shit! Where are they?”

“He has her in an abandoned house in Center City. A half hour away from here.”

“How did he get her?”

“She was on the way to the store to pick up candles for her niece’s birthday cake when he took her. That was hours ago. Her sister has called the police, but she hasn’t been missing long enough for them to use the manpower for an extensive search.”

“Why didn’t you know he would take her?”

“I was watching her, not him. You need to calm down.”

“Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down when Brandi is in the hands of a psychopath?”

“The last thing she needs is for you to lose your head.”

Mason sighed. His friend was right. Now wasn’t the time for him to lose his cool. “Damn. Will the police even know where to look?”

“Probably not; that’s why it’s up to you to get there in a hurry.”

“What is he going to do with her?” Mason’s body was tight with fear.

“I wish I knew, which is why we have to get there quickly.”

“Damn. Where’s a stinking taxi when you need it?” Mason asked in frustration.

“One is coming.”

“Paul, when I get there, I don’t want any interference from you. That motherfucker is mine.”

“Hmm.” Paul was noncommittal.

“Paul….” Mason growled.

“We’ll just have to see when we get there. Remember the rules,” Paul reminded him.

“How can I not retaliate when he almost got Ben killed and he kidnapped Brandi? Do you expect me to do nothing?”

“I expect you to tread lightly.”

“How lightly do you think I can tread? This man is responsible for my death as well as attempted murder against the Thorntons. Had you not intervened, he would have killed Tina as well. Heaven only knows how many others he’s harmed. The man has to be stopped, and if there are consequences, then so be it.”

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