Page 65 of Fast Justice

“Or, go ahead and fight,” another argued. “We love it when women have some fight left in them.”

The smug male laughter infuriated her. Rowan yelled and kicked but it did no good. Two sets of hands had her now, immobilizing her as they hustled her out of the room.

Where were they taking her? Why hadn’t they just shot her? If they were planning to do to her what they’d done to Anya or Victoria, she’d rather have died here and now.

She twisted and bucked, got nowhere. The hood was stifling, the total lack of light completely disorienting. It felt like there was no air. Like she was slowly suffocating.

The sound of the men’s running footsteps changed as they hit the tiled hallway, then she bounced a little as they rushed down the stairs. They were going to take her out of the building. To what? That van?

Must. Get. Free.

Gritting her teeth, she wrenched up against the restraining hands. Her strength was waning, her muscles already weakening, but she couldn’t give up.

“Better save your strength,” the first man said with a chuckle. “You’re gonna need it,linda.”

The change in temperature told her they were outside now. She kicked her feet, hoping to smash the man holding her legs in the face. “Let mego,” she roared.

They tossed her into the air. She had only enough time to suck in a breath and brace for impact before she landed with a bone-jarring thud on something hard and metallic. Pain radiated throughout her ribs and hip, the side of her head where it had hit whatever they’d thrown her onto.

Doors slammed shut and she started moving. A vehicle. Maybe the van. God, where were they taking her?

She struggled to her knees. Something slammed into her temple. Pain shot through her skull as her head snapped to the side. She crumpled onto the floor of the vehicle.

“Stay down there where you belong,puta,” a hard voice warned, “or you’ll get more.”

Gasping, disoriented, Rowan curled onto her uninjured side and bit her lip to keep from crying. She had to be smart. Strong. Figure out how to survive whatever they had planned for her. Killing federal agents would rain hell down upon her captors. The FBI would be sending backup right now. A task force would be set up to find her.

Commander Taggart would be alerted. Malcolm would find out soon after that. He would do everything humanly possible to find her before it was too late.

Except she knew in vivid detail what these animals had done to Anya and Victoria. Ice congealed in her gut, terror snaking through her body. How could she endure that? How could she survive it?

Even though she couldn’t see through the impenetrable black fabric of the hood, Rowan squeezed her eyes shut and sent up a silent prayer.

Malcolm, help me. Please help me…

****

“Good to be back?”

Mal looked up from gathering his gear at Khan, the team medic, who was watching him from over at his locker with a knowing grin. They were kitting up for a training exercise to work on their urban combat skills, followed by a trip to the range for some long gun work.

“You have no idea.” He missed being with Rowan, but since that wasn’t a possibility, the only other place he wanted to be was with his team. Here he had a purpose and it felt good to be back in the fold again, with guys he knew and respected.

From over by the door, someone let out a shrill whistle. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked over to where Commander Taggart stood in the doorway. “Listen up,” he said, closing the door behind him as he addressed the team. “We’ve got a major kidnapping situation unfolding right now.”

When that aqua gaze landed on Mal, a warning prickle started at his nape.Not Rowan. Jesus, not Rowan.

“Armed attackers assaulted Miss Stewart’s security team twenty-minutes ago.”

Mal shot to his feet, his heart rocketing into his throat.Fucking Christ.Next to him, Maka put a steadying hand on his shoulder. Mal barely refrained from wrenching away from it.

“HRT Commander DeLuca is aware of the situation and his boys are on standby. But the way things are going, both our units might be needed if the call comes in.” He paused a moment, his gaze lingering on Mal for a second, a kind of silent acknowledgment that he was aware of how Mal was feeling. “So everybody head to the briefing room. We’ll be getting updates and new intel in real time, so I want us up to speed and ready to go at a moment’s notice if they need us.”

Mal was the first one out the door behind Taggart, his body pulsing with helpless fury. Where was she? Was she injured? If those assholes had killed more federal agents, then she might have been shot too. Was it Ruiz, looking to stall his upcoming trial? Or Nieto, looking to make a statement?

“Freeman, wait.”

Mal stopped, realizing only then that he had barged outside instead of heading to the briefing room. Fighting to get control over his emotions, he slowly turned to face Hamilton and Prentiss.

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