Page 28 of Jared's Redemption

“This isn’t your fault, Alec. We are going to get her back.” I say. Markus nods along until a voice breaks the silence.

“Where is my baby?” Isabelle mutters. The sound of Alec trying to calm her and explain things is nearly impossible to decipher. Isabelle’s anguished scream crackles through the speaker, making me clench my eyes shut as I bow my head and brace my hands on my thighs.

“Save our baby!” Isabelle screams, her voice breaking. The line disconnects and Markus shakes his head, reaching out to grab a small wooden crate and flip it over.

Grenades roll out, littering the trampled snow where we are lurking amongst the trees. I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to tamper down the emotions threatening to take over.

“This was all the explosives you brought?” Markus groans, kicking the wooden box of grenades hazardously. He was going to fuck around and blow us all sky high if we didn’t get the ball rolling.

“Remember the shitshow it was rescuing Isabelle? We aren’t doing that again.” Chris reminds us, the somber mood souring even more. Markus kneels down, lifting a stick of dynamite, a wicked grin on his face. Who the hell packed those?

“I have a plan.” He says.

Two hours of arguing, planning and holding back a screaming Isabelle had left us all on edge. When Alec and Isabelle had arrived, she was barely standing on her feet, but she was still ready to fight. Including the group of men she had called in from her father after convincing him to stay home. We were up to at least three dozen armed men and women hidden amongst the trees, with one goal in mind. Save Amelia and Luna at any cost.

“You need to sit down, princess.” I remind her, guiding her back to sit on a log we had dragged over.

“You’re one to talk.” She croaks, not bothering to look up at me. I couldn’t stop pacing, looking up at the windows with every pass through the trees. Isabelle’s face showed a look of fear, something none of us were used to seeing. Markus’ plan was chaotic at best, but it was our only shot at the moment. With Luna and Amelia trapped in there with a monster, I would do anything to get them back.

“Something is up.” Chris’ voice crackled through my earpiece.

“What do you mean?” I press the device, asking him. Isabelle looks up at me expectantly, but I just hold a finger up for her to stay where she is.

“Zero motion, for over an hour now. From any windows. Not even a shadow.” He says. Dread makes my stomach tighten and my heart rate picks up as I curse under my breath. Alec and I share a look, silent agreement passes between us.

Everyone around us packs their gear on more quickly, grateful to do something other than standing and waiting. I sling my gun strap over my shoulder, pulling a pistol out as I lead our near silent walk towards the house under the cover of the increasing darkness. Snow flurries kick up around us as we exit the tree line, and I remind myself to not kick the door down and charge ahead.

I lean beside the door, listening intently, but not a scrape or sound comes from inside. They were up to something and I didn’t like it. I hold my hand up to tell everyone to wait as I walk away, craning my head to look up at the dark windows. I turn back in time to see Chris rear up, slamming his foot into the door and throwing the doors wide open.

An explosion of fire bursts through the area, sending us all flying backwards in a blinding light. The world spins, my vision going dark as I lay on the ground. The smell of smoke, burning hair and flesh makes my stomach twist and clench. They rigged the doors.

A hand grips my vest, flipping me forcefully onto my back while somebody towers over me. They’re going to kill me. Steffen’s hands are batting at my aching body while I lay there, useless, letting the darkness pull me under.

Luna deserved so much more. I was supposed to save her. And my little Amelia.

No, I couldn’t give up. Not yet. I swung blindly, my fist connecting with somebody’s jaw. My knuckles exploded with a satisfying ache, my hearing slowly coming back to me. A garbled curse comes from overtop of me, followed by a deep laugh.

“Jared, you are on fire! Stop fucking fighting me!” The man shouts, his face ducking close to mine. Green eyes, black hair and a permanent frown fill my vision as I blink rapidly.

“Alec?” I croak, letting him pull me up to a sitting position. A new red mark mars his left cheek and realization drops onto my shoulders like a heavy weight.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” I mutter, rubbing my head with a stinging palm.

“You’re lucky I didn’t let you fucking burn.” Alec snarls, jerking me onto my feet. The world tilts, making me stagger and grab onto Alec’s shoulder.

“Luna. Amelia?” I ask, looking up at the destroyed wall of the building where we had been standing. Alec shakes his head and I jerk my hand away from him, as if he was the one on fire.

“No, they’re not there. It’s empty.” He says, looking at the carnage left behind.

A few bodies lay off to the side, what’s left of them from being too close to the explosion. I recognize Chris’ helmet, soaked in blood and cast aside in the snow as it covers the ground.

Guilt flares up. He must not have seen my signal to wait, and I was too distracted thinking of Luna and Amelia. I had let my men down. Their death was on my hands.

I wouldn’t let Luna or Amelia die because of me.

Chapter 20- Luna

My teeth wouldn’t stop chattering, the threat of freezing to death should be the scariest thing to me. But right now, the skittering of rats and the whimpering child in my arms is all I could focus on. I looked at my bare feet, grimacing at the filth now covering them after losing my other shoe. When Steffen walked in and I saw Amelia in his arms, a new feeling came over me. A primal rage, the urge to protect and save this little girl was overwhelming.

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