Page 19 of Hell Breaks Loose

“And then you went gallivanting after them with fractured ribs and possible internal injuries by yourself.”

“That makes it sound way less heroic.”

“Tell. If she chose to go with him, what makes you think following them will do any good?”

“Because I have to make sure she’s safe, Norris. At least that much.”

“After everything you’ve said, though, what makes you think this guy would hurt her at all? Sounds like he wants her for some reason.”

“I mean. Yeah. But that reason is as fucked up as the rest of this mess,” I argue.

“Worse than kidnapping and assault? Fantastic.”

“Try, he’s her ex-stepdad and he wants to make her his wife to gain access to her legacy.”

Norris blinks, opening his mouth a few times before palming his face with a slap. After a few seconds of flabbergasted silence, his shoulders drop and he gives me a no-nonsense look.

“You have to go check on her. You have to rescue her.” It’s more of a begrudged admission than a commanding statement.

“I really do.”

“You were always incredible at putting on a face. Do you know where they’re keeping her?”

“I think so. I found a place that fits the bill just outside of Port Oxford. I’ll need to scope the place out first, case it. Once I figure out if she’s there for sure, then I’ll do what I do best. I’ll find a way in.”

“Just like that.”

“Yeah, minus a million details that I haven’t started working out yet. No doubt, Marco will have a hundred fucking guards in that fortress.”

“I can’t believe I am about to say this, but I want to help.”

“No fucking way,” I protest, straightening and instantly regretting it.

“Your car is totaled, so you’ll need me to drive. Your body is a mess, so you’ll need me to patch you up and keep you on pain meds while also keeping you lucid.”

“Damn, when you put it that way…”

“And I have an idea of how you might get in once you find the place.”

Three damn days later, I feel worlds better.

Mostly thanks to Norris’s expert administering of some probably not so legally obtained pain meds. I owe him so much.

I also owe fate, or some ancient deity, for my absolutely unbelievable luck.

Just the fact that Norris moved out to the West Coast a year ago is enough to make me wonder if someone is still pulling strings in my life like the Sinful always did. Added to the fact that he’s a nurse and was nearby when I crashed.

Fucking wild.

What’s not wild or surprising is the way he gets shit done.

He stocked up on goods, bandages, and a lot of the materials I would need to scope out Marco’s without even having to ask.

Scoping out Marco’s took a couple of tries over a couple of days.

But it pays off.

With a fair knowledge of the area from hiking just about every trail available, Norris helped me find a vantage point to watch the mansion. And the second afternoon, just at sunset…

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