Page 249 of Keep This Promise
Ryan clears his throat. “Might be worth checking the cellar in the garage. I’m sure you never looked there, but that’s just a hunch.”
* * *
“You both stay here,” Jackson commands when we’re half a block away from the house where Eden might be.
While I was at the courthouse, Sophie got another call, explaining where to put the money, and if we didn’t get it to them in the next two hours, we’d never see Eden again.
After Emmett relayed the information Ryan gave us, Jackson and his team headed to the Portland house and have been doing reconnaissance for the last hour and a half, watching to see any movement. About fifteen minutes after we arrived, they got confirmation of people inside the home that should be vacant, and a two-man team has eyes on the garage, which they believe sits over the back basement Ryan pointed us to. A heat signature showed someone enter and then disappear.
“I’m going with you,” I reply. Not a chance in hell I’m leaving her. “If you find her, we have no idea the condition she’ll be in. I have everything she’ll need if . . . if I have to.”
If I have to save her life.
If I even can.
Her monitor went off an hour ago, letting us know that her insulin pump is empty. Her sugar is moving higher, and the stress and God only knows what, if any, food they’re giving her are not doing her any favors.
“You are close enough to reach us if we need you to, but you are a father first, Holden. You could get us all killed.”
Spencer places his hand on my shoulder. “I get why you want to go in there, I am not saying you’re wrong, but you’re not trained for combat. You aren’t going to know what we’re doing, and it will not only put Eden at risk but also us and yourself. You wouldn’t help Eden, you might be what hurts her.”
I start to pace, knowing they are right but still wanting to fight them on it.
“Holden,” Blakely says softly. “I am trained to do everything you need me to do. I will fight, I will search, and I will medically treat your daughter if we find her. I have spent a good part of my life doing exactly what is required right now.” She turns to Sophie. “I know you’re scared, but I’m not. I am trained, and I am smart, and I know what I’m doing. I’ll be in the thick of it, and my entire part of this mission is Eden. Okay?”
A sob tries to escape Sophie’s lips, but she covers her mouth to muffle it.
“Do you have the insulin?” I ask Blakely.
“I have it. Show me her latest level.” I open the app, my heart falling to the floor when I see how high it is. “Okay. If she’s here, I’ll be ready.”
If she’s here.
Those three words that will determine everything. If she’s not here, then we have nothing. No hope. No other leads. No options, and the reality of Eden being gone forever will no longer be a possibility, but a reality.
“Here.” Emmett hands me an earpiece. “You can listen in, but only if you both promise not to leave this area. If we need to find you, then we have to know where to look.”
I look to Sophie, whose hands are clenched together, body trembling slightly. I lace my fingers with hers, lending her the very limited strength I have left. “Okay, we’ll stay here, but the minute—”
“You’ll hear everything this way, Holden,” Emmett promises. “Trust us, we will do everything we can.”
These two are my best friends, brothers more like it, and if there are two people in this world I can trust—it’s them.
I nod, and then Sophie wraps her arms around me, holding on as they walk away. We can do nothing but stand here and wait.
“Do you want to listen?” I ask, not wanting to be an asshole.
“No, I can’t.”
“Okay.” I slip the radio into my ear and listen.
“I want you two up on the high side of the property. Blakely, Spencer, Emmett, and Zach, we go low and toward the garage. I need everyone to be tuned in and on alert. We have reason to believe she’s being held in the cellar that’s beneath the garage. Intel is scarce, but Barrett will handle the brief.”
“Heat signal shows three inside the house,” Zach Barrett says. “There are at least two cars in the garage, one engine was warm. I couldn’t see any latches or openings, but I’m going to assume they concealed the basement entrance well. The basement itself is a blind spot, so be on alert for tunnels, hiding spots, false doors, or other exits or entrances that we haven’t anticipated. We are assuming the occupants are armed and dangerous.”
“Local law enforcement is stationed around the perimeter and throughout the woods to intercept anyone who attempts to run. Everyone is in place and ready to move on our command,” Emmett says this time.
My heart is pounding as they sound off that they’re ready.
