Page 116 of Undone

“No,” I growled, stepping closer to Gracie and Noah, the guard finally preoccupied and allowing me pass.

“You think I’m playing around?” John spat, then shot a guard in the leg, sending him crumpling to the ground.

A sickening gasp swept through the room.

“Gracie!” I shouted, as I lunged to grab her.

John’s hand shot out, grabbing her by the arm and yanking her behind him. A cruel smile twisted his lips as he shifted her under his arm, keeping the gun aimed at anyone who dared move closer.

The sight slammed into me—a raw, gut-wrenching twist of agony that felt like my insides were being torn apart.

“No!” I shouted. But it was too late. Gracie was in his grip.

Then his other arm shot out, clamping around Ellie’s wrist. She stumbled, and a gasp tore from her lips as her eyes locked onto the barrel of the gun.

Everything spiraled into chaos. People were shoving, panicking, running for the exits. Guards moved in but were too slow.

“Let them go!” Sawyer shouted, standing beside me, his eyes fierce, darting between John and Gracie.

John’s grip on the gun tightened, his gaze cold. “Stay back!” he snarled, his gaze moving between us, the barrel of the gun now aimed at Gracie’s trembling form.

My life flashed before my eyes at the sight of my daughter held at gunpoint. It was like the world collapsed in on itself, everything shrinking down to the horrifying image of Gracie,my Gracie, in a murderer’s grip.

“Move and she dies,” he hissed.

Her wide eyes, filled with panic, locked onto mine, searching for reassurance I couldn’t give. I only hoped that she didn’t truly understand the severity of the situation.

I couldn’t breathe. The gun now pressed against her temple, her small body shaking under his arm. All of it. It was as if someone had ripped my heart from my chest.

Every memory, every moment I’d shared with her, rushed through my mind in painful clarity. Her first steps, the way she used to reach for me with her tiny hands when she was scared. The bedtime stories, the laughter, the arguments over silly things like too many snacks. Every single thing I loved about her, everything I promised to protect, now teetering on the edge.

My fists clenched at my sides, powerless to do anything without risking her safety. I’d faced dangerous situations before, but nothing,nothing, prepared me for this kind of fear.

The kind that gripped on the deepest part of your soul and refused to let go. I wanted to rip him apart. I want to tear him apart limb by fucking limb for even thinking about fucking with my daughter.

I heard Trent’s and Sawyer’s voices cutting through the fog, but they didn’t register.

All I could see was Gracie. My mind spiraled as I envisioned her life—graduating school, discovering her passions, living the kind of life Hallie never had the chance to see.

That my mom never had the chance to see.

And here she was, caught in this same nightmare.

John’s fingers twitched, his elbow tightening around Gracie’s torso. I caught his gaze again, that sick smirk playing on his lips.

My body tensed, every instinct telling me to act.

“I’ll take her place,” Noah’s voice cut through the chaos.

“Noah, no!” Dotty yelled, raw with fear, trying to step forward. Trent grabbed hold of her, pulling her back behind him. Sawyer stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Dotty like a human shield.

The moment Noah’s words sank in, something deep inside me ached and tangled with a surge of gratitude. She didn’t flinch. She didn’t waver. She stepped up without a second thought, willing to sacrifice herself for my daughter.

But she wasn’t just offering herself up for Gracie—she was offering herself up for me and everyone that loved my daughter. She was willing to face whatever John had planned, knowing exactly what he had done to his victims. My stomach twisted at the thought. Noah wasn’t just someone who cared about Gracie—she was willing to fight for her, to protect her, the same way I would.

The same way any parent would.

That thought brought both warmth and dread, tangled together in a way I couldn’t comprehend.

---