Page 1 of Against the Clock

One

Quinn

The front door swungopen, the rain spraying in from the wind that whipped past.I turned my head, knowing that Roman was back from messing with the generator but felt my body stiffen when I saw five figures dressed in all black, wearing ski masks, rush through the door.

I jumped off the couch, startling Rosie as I tried to shield her with my body.I reached behind for my gun, panic crushing over me when I remembered it wasn’t there.It was unlike me not to have it on my body, but I had been distracted after I got out of the shower right before Roman went outside to prepare for the storm that was already upon us.

“NO!!”I shouted, shoving against the bodies as they charged us.I felt strong arms grab me and fling me to the side as Rosie screamed from the couch.I got up and swung at the masked figure in front of me, watching as their head shot to the side from the impact of my punch, but it wasn’t enough.Someone held me by the waist, ensuring that I couldn’t get to Rosie.

Panic flooded through me as I tried to get free.It was useless, and I knew it.We were outnumbered and I was unarmed—biggest fucking mistake of my life.

I could hear Rosie scream and turned my head toward the sound right as someone picked her up and tossed her over their shoulder.A black pillowcase was shoved over her head as they rushed out the door.I continued to fight against the strong arms holding me in place, desperate to get to my daughter.My pulse raced and my breathing was erratic as adrenaline pumped through me.

I tried to turn to see where they had gone, the front door still wide open.There was a black van parked right outside, and I immediately recognized it.Seconds later, the back door was slammed shut before it sped off, the sound of gravel crunching beneath it.

I tossed my head back, feeling the sharp pain as I made contact with a head, eliciting a loud growl from the recipient.It wasn’t enough to knock him out, but it did piss him off to where he tightened his grip around my throat, making it harder to breathe.I brought my hands up and tried to pry his hands away, desperate for air.

Roman will be back any second.He’ll come save me.He’ll take me to get Rosie back.Then we’ll kick ass and take out everyone who’s ever tried to hurt my daughter.She’s only five years old...

But before Roman could get there, a hand reached up and covered my mouth with a towel.Everything turned black, and the voices around me faded.

Two

Roman

14 Days Ago

Itilted my head backand felt the cold chill as the beer slid down my throat.It was hot and muggy, making the buttoned-down white shirt stick to my body.The music played loudly throughout the backyard as lights lit up the dance floor where a handful of women in super short dresses were dancing.

I didn't have to look at them to know that they were watching me.Each time the song changed, they would glance at me over their shoulder as they rubbed their hands up and down their body and thrust their hips along to the beat.There was so much effort put into each move, and I couldn't find the energy to try to engage any of them.

There was only one woman who had caught my attention tonight, and it fucking sucked because there was no way that I could talk to her.It wasn't like I was shy or didn't knowhowto talk to women.It was because she was my best friend's little sister, and I knew that he would kill me if he knew the thoughts going through my head every time I looked at her.

Quinn wasn't anything like the other women around us.Her raven black hair was pulled into a loose ponytail, high up on her head, and she looked comfortable in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.She didn't wear the club outfits, or the heavy makeup that Mike's cousins were wearing—who I was informedweren'toff-limits when I tried to get out of having a drink with one of them.She also looked more relaxed than the handful of FBI agents that lined the wall with their water bottles clutched to their chest, leaving wet marks on the silk dress shirts they probably wore every day, even outside of work.

I knew I shouldn't be so judgmental about the people Mike worked with, but it had kept me entertained for the past hour as I studied everyone at his birthday party and decided who was family, who was a coworker, and who was the unfortunate soul lucky to be considered a friend—me.

---