Page 89 of Saved By the Boss

Patrick glances at one of his men, nodding sharply. “Get a team ready,” he orders. “We’re moving out.”

“I’m coming,” I say immediately, shutting the laptop and standing.

Patrick gives me a long, appraising look. “Declan, are you sure about that? I know how you feel about this stuff, you don’t have to come—”

“She’s my woman,” I cut him off, my voice firm. “And she sent that email to me. This is my fight, and I’m not going to let anyone else do my job for me.”

For a moment, he doesn’t say anything, just watches me with an unreadable expression. Then he nods, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Alright, then,” he says, his eyes filled with a strange look of pride. “Let’s go.”

The drive to the hardware store seems to take forever, and I can’t help but fidget the longer the drive goes on. I should have just met Patrick at the diner in town. I didn’t know our meeting would go so well, of course, but at least I’d be closer when Jade needed me. I never should have left her this morning.

Patrick sits beside me in the backseat, his eyes scanning the snowy streets like a hawk. The men in the front are quiet, their expressions grim as they navigate the icy roads. Patrick must notice my tension because he puts a firm hand on my shoulder.

“I know you’re scared right now, Dec,” he says calmly. “Anyone in your position would be. And after everything that happened with Cassidy, I get it. But the best thing you can do for yourself is to tell yourself that she’s still alive and unharmed, that you’re going to find her and save her, and believe it. We’re going to get through this together, okay?”

His words are so sincere and filled with a brotherly affection that I can’t truthfully say I’ve ever felt from him. Years of resentment and anger seem to melt off of me and all I can do is nod and whisper a quick thank you.

The hardware store comes into view, its dark silhouette standing out against the white snow. My stomach twists as I take in the scene. The lights are out, the windows dark, and the front door hangs slightly ajar.

We park a block away, leaving the SUV idling as we approach on foot. The snow muffles our footsteps, but the cold bites at my skin, keeping my mind sharply focused on what’s about to happen. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a situation like this, but the skills come back to me almost instantly. My breathing slows with my heartrate, and I feel ready to take on whatever comes next. Patrick signals for his men to fan out, theirmovements precise and silent.

Two guards are stationed outside the store, their breath visible in the cold air as they talk quietly. Patrick glances at me, his expression calm but commanding.

“Take the one on the left,” he murmurs. “I’ve got the right.”

I nod, moving into position. My heart pounds as I close the distance, my focus narrowing to the man on the left. He doesn’t even see me coming until it’s too late. I grab him from behind, cutting off his air and pulling him down silently. He struggles, but I don’t let go until he goes limp, unconscious.

Patrick takes care of the other guard with the same efficiency, and within seconds, both men are down. His team moves quickly, dragging the bodies to the waiting SUV and stashing them in the backseat.

We step inside the store, the cold air following us in as the door creaks on its hinges, broken. The place is a mess, shelves overturned, supplies scattered across the floor, and the faint smell of blood lingers in the air. My chest tightens as I take it all in, a sharp contrast to the bright, orderly look it usually has.

“Spread out,” Patrick orders, his voice low. “Find anything that might tell us where they’ve taken her.”

I move toward the back of the store, my eyes scanning for any sign of Jade. My foot catches on something, and I glance down to see a trail of blood leading toward the storeroom. My stomach drops.

“Back here,” I call out, my voice tight.

Patrick and his men join me as I push open the storeroom door, the creak of the hinges echoing in the silence. Inside, I findRon slumped against the wall, his face battered and bruised. I immediately reach out, putting my fingers to his pulse, and breathe a sigh of relief when I feel a steady heartbeat.

“Ron,” I say quietly, gently jostling him to wake him up. He stirs slightly, his eyes unfocused as he looks at me.

“Declan,” he rasps, his voice barely audible. “What happened?”

“I think someone hurt you,” I tell him as calmly as I can. “You’re going to be okay, but I need you to focus. Do you know where you are?”

He nods slowly as he looks around. “I’m at the store,” he says finally, wincing as he tries to stand up. I keep my hand on his shoulder so he won’t try to move and injure himself further.

“Don’t overdo it,” I tell him. “I’m going to get you some help as soon as I can, but can you try to remember what happened?”

He stares at me for a long moment and I can see the wheels spinning in his head. He’s still disoriented, but it’s coming back to him.

“These men came into the store with masks on,” he finally manages. “They jumped me and locked me in here. I heard Tawny come in looking for Jade, and I think they must have knocked her out too. You have to be careful.”

I kneel beside him, my hands gentle as I check him over. “Ron, do you know where Jade might be? Did you see her?”

He coughs weakly, wincing as he tries to sit up. “I didn’t see her,” he says sadly, and I feel my stomach drop. “But I heard them dragging Tawny down to the basement. If they have Jade, they probably took her down there too. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more.”

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