Page 57 of Love Lies Bleeding

Hunter hangs up and I look around me at the wonderful business I’ve built with my best friend, and wonder if it’s all going to end because of one sick man. The thought of losing Lexi makes me sink to my knees on a sob so guttural it’s almost animal.

Anguish and terror have me folding in on myself, as I imagine the fear she must be feeling. I know Lexi and I know she’d die protecting her son if it comes to it. I pull my knees to my chest and try to breathe but it feels like everything is stuck. The air in my lungs is thick and suffocating.

I want to scream and wail, but I can’t get air in. I feel like I’m dying as everything feels far away, and muted. My vision blurs as I see a figure walk towards me and begin to scramble away as he crouches closer.

“Cherry, baby, it’s me.”

“Jake?”

He folds around me and lifts me, his arm under my knees, and carries me into the back office, before sitting us both on the couch, with me on his lap. His arms feel tight and secure as he holds me to him and rocks me like I’m fragile.

“Breathe with me, Blossom.” Placing my hand over his heart he lays his over mine and begins to breathe slowly in and out. Surrounded by his familiar scent and the warm security of his body, I begin to breathe with him, my body relaxing, the shakes that had wracked my body subsiding.

“He took her, Jake.”

“I know, Blossom, but we’re gonna get her back.”

Lifting my head, I look into the handsome face that has been at the center of some of my happiest memories and some of my worst and see his belief in what he said.

“Okay.” I don’t know why I choose to believe him, but I do.

“Come on, let’s take you to Hunter’s. He needs us right now and we should all be together.”

Silently we drive to Hunter’s and Lexi’s home, which is set up like mission control with huge trained mercenaries moving around like this is their show. I sit with Jake, Vivian, and Hank, as Hunter paces like a caged lion. After my mental breakdown at the shop, Jake has hardly left my side, but I’m feeling stronger and more focused now that I have others to concentrate on.

Yet sitting here doing nothing feels wrong, the heavy weight of helplessness making me want to claw my eyes out. Jumping up, I stride over to the scary hot guy who seems to be in charge and tap him on the shoulder. He turns, pinning me with a cool gaze that holds no warmth, only cold intelligence and control.

I force a shiver away and lift my chin. “I want an update.”

“There is no update. You know what we know, so let us do our jobs.”

Any other time, I would’ve swooned at his gorgeous British accent, but not now. Not when my best friend is at the mercy of a monster. “This is bullshit. We should know something by now.”

“The best thing you can do is keep calm and remain with your friends.”

Folding my arms, I lift a brow as Jake comes to stand behind me. “Oh, really? Is that the best thing to do, you condescending asshole?”

“Blossom, he’s doing his best.”

“Well, it’s not enough and I can’t sit here and do nothing.”

“How well do you know Lexi?”

I glared at Mr. Tall, dark, and dangerous, knowing my anger is misplaced but not caring. “She’s been my best friend since school. She’s my business partner, my ride or die.”

“Do you have a key to her home?”

“Of course.”

“Okay, go there and look for anything that might be out of place. You know her best so look through paperwork for anything that might tell us where he’s taken her.”

“On it.”

Spinning with a sense of purpose, I stride toward the door.

“Hey, wait up.”

“What are you doing, Jake?” I ask as he steps into the elevator behind me. He gives me a look that indicates I’m stupid for even asking. “You don’t need to come with me.”

---