Page 62 of Barrett

The door to the apartmentslammed open. I immediately reached for my gun, as did Jordan. Barrett was too stunned to do more.

Marshall had barreled inside. His eyes were only on his brother as he ran into the room and threw himself at Barrett, wrapping his arms around him. Barrett hugged him back tightly, a couple of tears slipping down his cheeks.

Albert stepped inside. “There was no one with him. I saw him running down the street and caught him before he came inside. He said he broke free and ran.” Albert wasn't one to show a lot of emotion. He held a lot of tension in his shoulders. “I would have killed anyone chasing him.”

Marshall leaned back to brush the tears from his face, still not looking at the rest of us. “I did what you said, the moves you taught me. I kept swinging and kicking until he released me.”

“Where?” Jordan asked. His anger was barely in check.

Marshall turned, looking from me to Jordan to Albert, before focusing on Jordan again. “In the balls.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Jordan seethed. “Where did you escape from?"

“Oh, I can’t be sure. I was blindfolded in a truck. He... he kept reaching for me, to put his hand on me while he drove, but I pushed myself against the door. I…” He sucked in a ragged breath while Barrett stood at his back, growing angrier and angrier with each word.

“There were no buttons on my door,” Marshall continued. “I couldn’t unlock it or open it. There was nothing. I knew the only way out was over him. He stopped and I started kicking and hitting, trying to break free. I felt the truck pull to the side. Then... then he was on me. I fought until he was on the floor, and I could escape.”

“I’m going to kill him,” I bit out. I wanted this man’s blood on my hands. I wanted to watch as it ran like a river from him.

“Get in line,” Barrett said. “He dared to take my brother. I won’t be handing this one over. The death is mine.”

“Any details?” Jordan asked. “Old or new truck? Clothes you felt?”

“Older truck. There were tears in the seat and it smelled musty. I only knew it was a pickup because our uncle had one, and you can tell by the way it goes over the bumps and the sounds it makes.”

“How far did you run?"

“A few blocks, but I stopped to hide as well. I could hear the truck’s loud exhaust. I ducked into alleys and hid behind what I could.”

Jordan turned but Albert was already out the door.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I called my brother. “Bring the Navigator to Barrett’s. We need a ride.”

“On it.” He hung up. He’d get the details from me later.

“That's it?” Barrett asked. “That’s all you're going to do?”

Jordan took two steps toward him but stopped when Marshall’s eyes went wide. “Don’t you ever speak to me like that again,” Jordan warned Barrett.

“I’m sorry. It’s... This is my brother who was grabbed, thrown in a truck, and could have been…” His words cut off as he choked out a small sob.

“Which is why he’s coming with us. Pack your things, Marshall. We can have anything else you need picked up.”

“What?” Barrett and I yelled at the same time.

Jordan must have had enough. “I will kill you both where you stand. Do you think he’s safer here, or in my building? Are you going to watch him all day, Barrett? My men can.”

“Who said I needed to be watched?” Marshall asked. His body still shook with fear.

“The person who took you will return. He grabbed you in front of your own building. It deviates from his usual choosing of men who live alone, which means he’s getting desperate. Do you still have your wallet on you?”

Marshall shook his head. “He took it after forcing me into the truck. I was too shocked at first to do anything.”

“You're brave,” I told him. “You knew to fight.”

“He’ll be back,” Jordan stated firmly. “You’re a loose end, and he won’t want you running around. Now that he knows your name...” He faced Barrett.

It was like I was underwater, and it rushed around my ears. “He’ll come for you, Bear.”

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