Page 97 of Power Switch

The sliver of strength I've clung to the past few hours wastes away. My knees buckle, the stained slats of the porch quickly approaching as I fall until I'm caught midair. Legs dangling over one arm, the other secured against my back, Trey holds me close against his heaving chest.

My vision blurs as my eyes dry out from not blinking. Shapes move. My body bounces with each of Trey’s steps, the breeze from the movement brushing along my clammy cheek.

With an almost reverent touch, I'm lowered to the couch. I try to move, but the orders from my brain don't seem to make it to my limbs. A burst of cold settles over my legs and chest before slow warmth cuddles around me. I gaze down at the flannel blanket that was laid over me, hoping it will have the answers I need.

“Did you hear what he wanted?” I hear T ask.

“Her to forget this whole thing happened and step down. Fucking hell, Davis. What have we done?”

Maybe if I just ignore everything and everyone around me, everything will go back to the way it was this morning. If I just close my eyes, I'll wake up and find all this was a dream.

My eyes burn as my lids scrape down, fluttering before opening wide once again.

Nope. Not a dream.

The couch cushion dips under Trey’s weight as he perches on the edge by my hip.

“They were minutes from the embassy when they were attacked.”

My neck creaks in protest as I shake my head, silently begging him to stop.

“So far there are four casualties.” This time the shake of my head shifts the long strands of hair resting over my shoulder. “Five injuries, and one missing.”

I lock eyes with Trey. The pain and concern on his normally happy features somehow makes all this real.

“No,” I rasp. “I don't believe you.”

“Mess,” he chokes out. An arm snakes around my back and hauls me close. Lips press against the crown of my head. “We'll find her. I swear on my life that we will find her unharmed.”

“How? She's my baby. I can't lose her,” I croak, the words burning my throat. Guilt slams into my chest, stealing my breath. “I'm doing it, everything he asked. That's how we get her back. That's what he said. He said she would be safe if I just did what he asked.”

“I can't let you do that.” The fine material of Trey's suit jacket sticks to my forehead as I peel back to find Sam standing in the corner. “You know I can’t.”

“Get out,” Trey grits out. “Now!” he bellows.

Sam doesn't move. “I file no matter what at eight. I'm sorry, Randi, I really am, but you're thinking as a mother, not as the VP. I'm making the call for you.”

I track his movements until he's out of the room.

“I just killed my daughter,” I whisper. I slide my pleading gaze to Trey. He blanches and shoots a worried glance to T, who paces the room.

“We need you to call the French president,” T says as he storms from one side of the room to the other in quick clips. “We need to get as many agents on the ground in Paris to search for her as we can. I doubt they’ll take her far.”

The words filter through with a vague recognition that he needs me to do something.

T's mouth opens, ready to continue with his plan, when shock registers on his face and his steps slow before stopping altogether. He holds his wrist up to his lips. “Who the hell did you say is here?” T’s face flashes red. Trey bolts off the couch, the quick movement rocking me into the thick cushions.

I open my mouth to ask what’s going on, but they’re already across the room, creating a human wall between me and the only exit.

“What are you doing here?” The anger and hate dripping from Trey's words perks my attention. Sitting up a little straighter, I lean one way and then the other to see who the hell they’re talking to. Hope blooms in my chest. If it's Kyle, maybe he's here to tell us where Taeler is. My jagged nails scrape the soft leather as I struggle to sit up, the blanket wrapping around my legs.

My knees wobble with each step I take toward the arguing men.

Gripping Trey's jacket, I use him for support as I step to his side. The building hope dies, leaving a desolate emptiness in my heart at finding Shawn's near black eyes focused on me instead of Kyle's ice blue ones.

“Trailer.”

“Get. Out.” Trey wraps an arm around my waist, hauling me back until I'm safely behind the two men once again.

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