Page 19 of Kidnapping of a Myth

“Thank you,” Bel said. “Keep me updated.”

“Will do.” Desmee hung up, and Bel glanced at the water levels on the screen. It was only at Michael’s ankles, and while she wasn’t certain, it seemed the flow had increased.

“So, you really don’t recognize this bunker?” Bel asked, feeling like a broken record, but the second star riddle had been a clue. One Wendy passed every trip to this estate, which meant she was either oblivious or too stressed to think. Bel understood this family’s paralysis. She understood how fear ate away at the body. How terror changed people to their very cores, but the water was ever-increasing. Michael didn’t have time to spare, so they had to be missing something. Something Wendy’s subconscious had forgotten.

“It doesn’t look familiar.”

“Try again,” Bel insisted. “Because if Eamon’s contact can’t find this bunker, you’re our only hope. There must be a hint hidden somewhere.”

“How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t know!” Wendy shouted. “Do you think I’d lie about recognizing that place?”

“You’ve questioned her enough.” Henry stepped in. “I don’t appreciate you coming into our home and harassing my wife. She isn’t responsible for this tragedy, so stop treating her like she’s guilty.”

“Michael will drown if—” Bel started, but Eamon caught her chest with his broad palm and pushed her away from the couple.

“Bel is here to help,” he said, his voice dangerous.

“Well, we didn’t ask for her help. We asked for yours, but you bring in some stranger that you clearly spent last night with,” Henry spat, the tension in the room escalating as emotions battled reason. “She shows up, bothers my wife, asks too many questions, and I don’t appreciate her involvement. This is a sensitive matter. One we wanted you to handle, not your random date.”

Eamon curled his lips, his unnaturally sharp canines threateningly on display, and Bel lunged between the men before her beast defended her honor with violence.

“Enough!” She shoved Eamon away from Henry, and while the towering man retreated, his fingers looped through the belt buckle on her jeans to anchor her to him. “We’re all stressed, and I understand I’m a stranger, but believe it or not, I’m your best shot at getting Michael and John back. So everyone, take two seconds and breathe.” She paused, forcing her voice to soften. “And I’m sorry. I didn’t wake up today expecting to be thrown into your lives in the worst way possible. You have no reason to trust me, but you need to because we’re all that stands between you and The Tinker. And Wendy, I mean no disrespect, but we’re running out of time. You have to help me.”

“I want to,” she whispered. “I just don’t know how.”

“Do you have maps or blueprints of the property? Any historical documents that could lead us to this bunker?”

“I’m not sure,” Wendy said, and Bel went to the refrigerator and poured a glass of ice water to prevent the woman from seeing her grit her teeth. How did she not know these things?

“But our lawyers probably have the records,” she offered, accepting the chilled drink from Bel. “I’ll call them, okay? Will that help you?”

“Good idea. Have them email us anything they have. Michael might be on part of the property no one uses anymore.” Bel patted Wendy’s arm before dragging Eamon across the kitchen, relieved they were finally getting somewhere. She just prayed the information would arrive in time. “Your contact?” she whispered as Wendy started making panicked phone calls. “How much longer will he take? The water’s up to Michael’s shins.”

“I have no idea. It depends on The Tinker’s technical skills.” Eamon grabbed the front of her shirt and dragged her into his orbit. “Are you sure you can handle this?” His free hand absentmindedly found the book pendant he gifted her, his knuckles brushing her chest as he rubbed the necklace between his fingers. A witch had charmed it to protect Bel, but after Alcina tried to force Eamon to kill her and after Abel’s kidnapping, they both doubted its effectiveness.

“Yes.” She lied. “No. I don’t… We just need to find Michael. I won’t let a child die because of my trauma.”

“I shouldn’t have involved you.”

“Don’t do that. This isn’t your fault.”

“You were just kidnapped, Isobel. I saw the bruises on your ankle,” he continued, his deep voice low so only she heard. “I saw what Abel did to you, watched you thrash in your sleep because of the nightmares, and then I brought you here like a fool. This was a mistake. I should have come alone.”

For a moment, Bel didn’t speak. They simply stared at each other, Eamon’s guilt from that morning back tenfold. It ate at his muscles, etched into his face, poisoned his aura, and she wondered how a predator of such violence could experience such raw emotions. The beast he presented to the world didn’t match the protector hovering over her.I love you. I love you. I love you.His entire body screamed those three life-altering words. His eyes whispered them. The tension in his grip confessed them, and she couldn’t let him blame himself. Not when this was where she wanted to be—by his side, despite the chaos.

“You’ll always come for me, right?” she asked.

“Even if it kills me.”

“Well, today you needed me, and I’ll always come for you.” The confession felt dangerous, like she was revealing too much of her soul, but she needed him to hear her truth, at least what little of it she could admit.

Eamon’s eyes darted to her lips as if he wanted to take her then and there; consequences be damned, and Bel couldn’t stop the flush of pink that teased her cheeks.

“You brought me here for a reason,” she continued softly. “I understand this family’s suffering, so get your contact on the phone and make him work faster. I can’t walk away now, and you know it.”

“Unfortunately, Detective, I’m well aware of how stubborn you can be.” His thumb rubbed her collarbone before he released her pendant and pulled his cell from his pocket. “I’m smart enough not to argue with you, but I can’t describe what happened inside me when I heard you step on the IED’s pressure plate, what it does to me when Henry insults you for trying to help. I’ll do everything in my power to save those boys, but my loyalty lies first and foremost with you. Say the word, and I’ll take you away from here.”

“If you know me as well as I believe you do, you know I can’t leave.”

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