Page 67 of His Reluctant Savior

He instantly dropped and held his shattered knee, crying out. The man tried to get it together and grabbed the gun he’d dropped, but he wasn’t fast enough. I kicked him in his gut, forcing him to double over and dry heave before kicking away his gun.

“Easton!” I called out.

He dropped from the eaves and stood by my side.

“Tie the man up against the pillar.”

Easton went to work, finding rope and tying the man as I checked on Dalton, kneeling in front of him. “Baby?”

The rage hit again, seeing his bloodied face. I was going to fucking kill them all. All those people who put him in this situation were going to die, or at least pay one way or another.

“Sid?”

Two Hours Earlier

My buzzing phone on the nightstand stirred me awake. I glanced over at the bed to find Sid missing, my reaching hand hitting a piece of paper. I sat up, found a note, and picked it up to read. Sid stated he would be back in a couple of hours, and not to worry. Where’d he go? He probably went out to talk to Easton.

My phone stopped buzzing, and I lifted it, assuming Sid had called. My stomach twisted, seeing Savannah tryingto call so late at night. I dialed her back, praying nothing had happened, but my gut told me something was seriously wrong.

“Hey, Savvy. Is everything okay?” I said when she answered.

“There are men here,” she whispered frantically. “You said we’d be safe.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Vertigo suddenly hit me, and my hands shook. With a few deep breaths, I calmed down. “I’m fifteen minutes out. I’m on my way. Call the police. Now!”

Once I hung up, I was singularly focused. I tossed on clothes and grabbed my gun, extra ammo, and the car keys sitting on the table. I had no time to hunt down Sid. He would figure out where I’d gone if his security cameras were working at the house. I couldn’t wait for him. Easton could drive him.

Whoever the threat was, they showed up for Owen to get to me. So help me, if they hurt him or anyone in that family, there would be hell to pay.

I pulled out of the parking lot and gunned it, desperate to get to the farm. The clock was ticking.

It took me around ten minutes to arrive at the farm, and I parked the car away from the house to remain unnoticed. As soon as I got out of the car, I pulled out my gun, flipped off the safety, and chambered a bullet while I scanned the area for men and threats.

FBI training from years ago kicked in, but I wasn’t as well-trained as Sid. Dammit to Sid for leaving me alone, but surely he’d be here soon, or so I hoped. I’d just have to be extra careful, but I alsoneeded to rush.

I found two cars sitting in the driveway, but I couldn’t see anyone inside them. It didn’t help that it was dark out since the lights outside were turned off.

My hands threatened to tremble again, and my heart raced. It was hard to be calm, knowing my son and friends were in danger. Now was not the time to panic and lose my cool.

Why weren’t there sirens in the distance? They should’ve already been here or on their way.

With my gun pointed in front of me, I rushed, crouched low, toward the house as quickly and quietly as possible, checking for movement in my surroundings.

When I reached the front door, I found it cracked open.

I eased the door open more and slowly stepped through. Suddenly, a bright light blinded me, and the pain radiated throughout my head. That was the last thing I remembered before I got lost in total blackness.

My head felt likeit was splitting in two. My stomach roiled from the pain, and I swallowed back the rising bile.

What the hell happened?

When I tried to move, I couldn’t. Something was holding me down. As the fog in my brain cleared, my eyes popped open as the clarity and panic hit, looking around what looked to be inside a barn.

Owen. Savannah.

I struggled, but it was useless. Someone had tied me to a chair. All the fighting with my bonds did was make my head spinand my stomach more nauseous. Suddenly, someone backhanded me, stunning me before the pain set in. I spat blood onto the dirt ground covered in hay as I fought to keep from passing out again.

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