Page 88 of Undercover Desires

From Jett’s drone, wewatch Reader’s arrival as he pulls into the sandy driveway of the small farmhouse, kicking up a cloud of dust in his wake. He slams the car door shut and marches toward the house, steam practically shooting from his ears. He’s one angry man.

The three of us have been sitting in Jett’s car for most of the night, at a property just outside of town, waiting for Caleb’s team to arrive from LA. Caleb was quick to work out where Reader would be holding her, but his team is sure taking their time in getting here. My body is wound tight with nervous energy, and knowing Reader’s in that house with her, desperation surges within me. I check my gun is loaded and place my hand on the door handle, ready to get out to the car and sort this shit out myself.

Caleb’s hand comes to my shoulder, his eyes carrying a warning. “We need to go in there,” I tell him, knowing how desperate I sound. I’m losing control.

“Keep calm,” he tells me, like it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. I bet he wouldn’t be calm if it were his wife in there with that maniac.

I slump back in my seat. “If he’s so much as touched a hair on her head, he’s a dead man,” I roar, losing it.

A message notification sounds on my phone, and I grab it from my pocket, my shaky fingers swiping over the screen. It’s from an unfamiliar number. I see red when the image flashes up on the screen. Arabella being held by a burly man, his face cropped out of the image so I can’t make out who it is, his meaty hand covering her mouth, her eyes filled with fear. The accompanying caption sends a chill down my spine.

Unknown number: Got your girl. You have twenty-four hours to meet my demands, or this photo will be the last you see of her.

I read it out loud for the others. Sweat pours down my forehead as my surroundings blur. I glare at Jett. “How many people can you see in the house?” I snap, trying to find something to focus on.

“Just the three,” he responds, “the big guy, Bella, and now Reader.”

I flick my gaze to Caleb in the back seat, his eyes pleading with me to take it easy, but I can't. I won't, not when it comes to her. “We’re not waiting for this team. I’m going in now,” I demand, my voice icy cold so he knows this time I’m not taking no for an answer.

“It’s a trap, you know it is. He wants you to panic; he’s trying to set you up.” Caleb’s voice carries a hint of caution, and I know he’s right. Under normal circumstances, I could keep my cool and listen to him, but this isn’t normal. This is her, my sugarplum, and I need to get her out of there before something terrible happens.

Another text pops in with his list of demands.

Unknown number: Leo is to announce that not only is Euphoria X now an acceptable drug on the streets of Palm Springs, but he will be distributing it from Queen of Hearts. The Riveras need to pay twenty percent of all earnings to me. If all three of you can comply, the girl is yours. You have twenty-four hours.

I read it aloud to them, my adrenaline spiking. He has to be fucking kidding me. There is no way on this earth that we will give in to him. I try controlling my breathing, but it’s no use. Anger radiates off me, and my breathing reflects that of a rabid dog about to bite.

The vein in Jett’s neck pulses, and I can see he’s just as livid. “He’s lost his fucking mind, Kobe; we won't give him shit,” he seethes.

“If it were Hazel in that house, what would you do?” I ask, not able to hide the tremble in my voice.

He thinks on it, his eyes narrowing to get-the-fuck-out-of-my-way scary. “I would fucking knock the place down to get her back.”

“Exactly,” I growl out.

“Kobe, my guys are less than ten minutes away,” Caleb warns. “Let us handle this.” He knows he’s losing me. I don’t trust the cops at the best of times, but right now, when it’s my girl in danger, no fucking way.

“What will happen to him if you do?” I ask, assessing my options.

The look on his face is guilty as fuck. “Reader will be arrested and charged,” he says way too softly. Caleb knows that result won't be good enough for me. I need to spill blood. This motherfucker has destroyed lives and gotten away with it for way too long. He needs to be stopped for good.

“In other words, a slap on the fucking wrist.” I look at Jett, and I know the crazy motherfucker is thinking the same as me.We can’t let him get away with everything he’s done. “We’re just going to get a little closer and take a peek,” I say with a wink in Caleb’s direction.

His face goes pale. “If you're caught down there doing anything illegal, you’ll get arrested, and this time I won’t be able to help you. This is the FBI, boys.”

I nod, and Jett gives him a grunt of acknowledgment. “Got it, we won’t get caught,” I assure him, slipping from the car. The FBI is the least of my worries, but until Bella’s safely back in my arms, I know I will stop at nothing.

We cautiously navigate our way through the field, our guns loaded and ready to use if necessary. We stick close to the tree line, doing our best to remain hidden from view.

Starting at the rear of the house, we search for a way inside or any sign of the room where she might be held. Suddenly, a board pops off from one of the back corner windows, and I quickly signal for Jett to follow me.

“Bella,” I whisper through the window.

Her eyes find me through the space where the board has come off. “Get out of here. He’s setting you up. He knows the FBI are on to him. You guys are going to take the fall for everything he’s been doing. Please, you have to get out of here.” Her sad eyes beg me to leave. She’s more worried about me than about herself. But she doesn’t realize, if she doesn’t make it out of here, I don’t want to live without her.

Tears well in my eyes. I don’t know why she cares so much about me. No other girl ever has. “I’m not leaving without you.” I place my hand on the window, and she does the same.

“I can’t get out of here. I have tried, and it’s impossible. You have to go without me, before they catch you. Please.” Tears roll down her face.

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