Page 62 of Protecting Hailey

I knew this was a trap. Someone pretended to be Anne to get Hailey to drive to a specific location. I could call the police, but I knew they would only fuck this up. In my ten years in special ops, I had more training than anyone in the police department when it came to rescuing hostages. The police would only get in my way. I just wished my brothers were with me.

I grabbed my phone and pulled up her location. Racing past Anne, she called out, “Where are you going?”

Without wasting any time, I called over my shoulder, “To save Hailey.”

The words added speed to my steps, and I peeled out of the driveway toward the blue dot. The location was at least thirty minutes away, probably longer this late in the day.

I didn’t care. I weaved in and out of traffic and merged into the HOV lane when I wasn’t supposed to. If a cop tried to stop me, he’d have to follow me straight to her location.

But as I drove, instead of seeing the streets of Los Angeles, images of dusty and abandoned roads kept creeping up in my head. I was having flashbacks to the day I tried to rescue Jordan.

No. This wouldn’t end the same way. Hailey would not die on my watch. That would not happen.

I called Jager.

“Chris, what’s going on?”

“I need your help. I think Hailey might be in trouble.”

“What can I do?”

“Can you scan the traffic cameras at this location?” I forwarded him the address. “I need to get eyes on this spot.”

“Sure thing, brother. I’ll check all the cameras for you.”

“Thanks.”

I hung up and checked the time. Only fifteen minutes had passed, but it felt like an hour.

The cars in front of me blocked my path. Checking my blind spot, I maneuvered through the lane and exited the highway. I drove through less desirable neighborhoods as those would be the quickest route.

Finally, I pulled up in front of her location. The street was empty except for a gas station down the road. There were a couple of people standing there, filling their tanks.

I checked my holster and called Jager.

“Hey, Chris. There isn’t much activity around there, only one traffic light close to the building.”

Looking around the street from inside my vehicle, I knew he was right. I couldn’t spot any cameras from my angle, either.

“What do you see?” I asked.

“I see Hailey’s car parked out back and there’s a van there, too, so someone’s with her.”

“Any other vehicles?”

“No.”

I nodded. One van could carry up to ten people. I could handle ten.

“Chris, I would advise you against entering that building without backup.”

“You know the police will only get in my way.”

Jager sighed. “All right, but I can hear it in your voice. Don’t let your heart get in the way of your head. Check all entrance and exit points, use your scanner to decipher how many bodies are inside, and don’t make a move unless you’re sure you can get out of there safely. We care about you, brother.”

“Thanks, man. I love you, too.”

Jager groaned but added, “Now, go get her.”

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