Page 53 of Echoes of Danger

“She’s a fighter,” Steel says proudly. “You’ve got yourself one strong woman, brother. But she needs you. So, don’t do anything stupid.”

“Can I talk to him?” I hear her ask.

“Talk as quietly as you can, Del,” Steel tells her. “But look at me the whole time. I’ll block your face from the window in the door, but just in case they look in, it will look like we’re talking. Here, lay your head this way, and I’ll lay the phone next to your ear. Don’t move your hands.”

“Jacob,” she whispers, pain laced in her voice.

“Baby,” I breathe, my heart aching at the sound of her voice, so weak, so vulnerable. “Freckles, I’m coming for you. Hold on, just a little longer.”

“I… I’m trying…” Her voice cracks, the effort of speaking too much for her, but I hear the faintest tremor of fear in it. “Jacob, they’re going to move me. I don’t know where. I… I can’t…” Her voice falters, and I can almost feel her slipping away from me.

“Shh, it’s okay, baby. I’m right here, Freckles,” I whisper. “We’re gonna get you out. I promise you, no one’s going to hurt you again. Not if I can help it. When I get you home, I’m keeping you locked away from the world. Just stay strong for me, baby.”

The line goes silent for a beat, and then I hear Steel’s voice, low and urgent. “She needs you, Reynolds. You can’t let her fall apart now.”

“Baby,” I say, my voice breaking with the weight of the fear I can’t shake. “Freckles, listen to me. You stay strong. Keep fighting. I’m coming for you, okay? Just hold on. I’m not far. You just stay with me. I won’t let you go.”

She takes a shallow breath. “I’m so scared, Jacob. I don’t want to die here.”

“Freckles,” I murmur softly, “You’re not gonna die. You’re gonna fight, and we’re getting you out. Just hold on for me. I’m coming. Steel’s gonna keep you safe until we get there, alright? Our kids are waiting for you. Be strong for them. Be strong for me.”

She doesn’t answer right away, but I hear her steady her breathing, trying to find some calm in the chaos that has to be swirling around her. I’ll give her that calm. I’ll give her everything she needs to survive this.

“Steel,” I say, my voice growing more firm. “Keep her calm. Keep her safe.”

“I got you, brother,” Steel replies, his tone steady. “I’ll protect her with my life. Just get to us.”

I don’t have time to say anything more. The plan is set, and we move fast. Every minute counts now. And I swear to myself, no matter what happens, I’ll get to her. I’ll bring her home.

***

“The Doc will unlock their door in five minutes,” Ghost says from inside the nursing home. We’re herevisitingan old comatose buddy whose window happens to look directly at the morgue. “We need this to be quiet. We don’t want to draw attention. King, I want you focused on getting the Doc and his granddaughter. Try not to kill anyone, but feel free to beat them until they’re almost dead. Reynolds and Taylor, you find Steel and Del. I’ll walk around the property and introduce myself to the guards lying in wait. Everyone ready?”

We all nod, my mind entirely focused on reaching my woman.

“Let’s head out.”

Ghost opens the window and we all climb out, quietly making our way to the building several hundred yards away.

Every second that ticks by feels like a hammer against my chest. I can’t remember when I stopped breathing properly, but I have to focus. Delphi and Steel are out there, close enough that I can almost feel them.

Images of Freckle’s almost dead enter my mind, and I stagger.

Ghost’s voice crackles in the earpiece, pulling me back to the present. “We’re one minute out. Reynolds. Stay sharp.”

Shaking my head, I refocus.

Stay sharp. That’s what I need to do. I can feel Delphi out there. It’s like a magnet pulling me toward her. She’s still alive. She has to be.

Ghost turns, and with a few steps, he’s lost to the shadows of the night. King, moving quick as lightning, reaches the guard near the door and takes him out without a whisper of sound.

Then, my senses light up with the sound of a single gunfire.

My pulse races. This isn’t just a rescue anymore; it’s a countdown.

Chapter Eighteen

Delphi Mae

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