Page 95 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

“Do you really think you’re in the position to be making threats, Ms. Sulton?” The smooth voice asked.

I snapped my jaw shut.

“We will take Ms. Alden with us. If you cooperate, there is no reason any harm should come to her.”

“How do I know you’re telling me the truth?”

“You don’t. We’ll be in touch shortly.” The dial tone sounded loudly in my ear.

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

The blood pounded in my ears and my heart beat erratically in my chest. My hands shook as I dropped the phone beside me to jump up from the couch and pace. My nails dug into my palms, the pain welcome, at the thought of my best friend in trouble because of me.

Breathing was hard. I panted, forcing each breath in and out as I pictured how scared she must be. I fought against the nausea climbing my throat. Each swallow required a herculean effort to keep back the bile that threatened to burst forth at the thought of Lexi hurt because of me. I couldn’t live with myself if we didn’t get her back unharmed.

I rubbed at the back of my neck. There had to be something I could do.

I needed to call Alden. He would know the next steps. With his experience and contacts we’d get Lexi back and home safe.

I picked up the phone to dial his number when a text chimed on my phone.

A chill skated down my spine as I read it.

Unknown Number: You have two hours to meet us at this location. Come alone. We’d hate for something to happen to your friend. It’s self-explanatory but do not involve the police.

I tapped on the familiar address. Why would they want me to go there? The location, an old factory my grandparents used to own, had been shut down years ago. The only benefit to meeting there was the out of the way location.

I checked my watch. I didn’t have time to wait for Alden to get home. Even if I could charter a plane right away it would be tight getting to the factory on time.

Normally, I’d call Jax and see if his friend Dean could lend me his family’s private jet, but Jax was as protective of me as Alden. There was no way he’d let me go.

I ripped a piece of paper off the notepad from the fridge and hastily scrawled a note to Alden, leaving it on the island where he was sure to see it.

Alden,

I’ve gone to get Lexi. I’ll call you later to fill you in.

Xoxo Jess

I dialed the number to a private plane charter service I’d used a few times while visiting Jax in Rhode Island.

“Hello, Jet Ahead, this is Mandy speaking.” A pleasant female voice answered.

“Hi, this is Jessamine Sulton. I’ve used your services before.” I could hear her typing my name into the system.

“Ms. Sulton, it’s a pleasure to hear from you again. How can I help?”

“I’m going to be straight with you, Mandy. I need to be on a plane and wheels up at TF Green in the next thirty minutes.” As I talked, I ran out of our apartment. Breathing heavy, I puffed my way up Greta’s porch and banged on her door.

“Thirty minutes, Ms. Sulton—”

“It’s an emergency. I’m sure you get that all the time.” My voice caught. “But my friend’s life is seriously hanging in the balance. I need to leave in thirty minutes or it’ll be too late.”

Mandy paused, and I thought for sure she was about to tell me I was shit out of luck or tell me I was lying.

“Give me a minute, Ms. Sulton and I’ll see what I can do.” Elevator music filled my ear.

Greta’s smiling face greeted me as she pulled the door open. I didn’t even wait for her to speak. “I need a ride to the airport. Now.”

---