Page 43 of Yours To Keep
Before I can formulate another thought, the room plunges into total darkness.
twenty-five
As far as criminals go,Aaron and Patricia are probably some of the stupidest I’ve ever encountered. If you’re going to kidnap someone, you should really get as far away from the scene of the fucking crime as you can. A few houses down from a massive party is probably not the best place to hang out.
Before we left the girls back at Magnolia’s parent’s house to keep an eye on her dad, we put together a plan of attack. In situations like this, it really pays off to have a friend who can hack anything without blinking an eye. Within minutes of locating Magnolia’s car, Breaker had already pulled up the plans for the house they’re using as a holding place.
“Break and I will take point on the backside of the property. Ev, you and Eli cover the front and side doors in case they decide to run. Something tells me that’ll be their first instinct.” I say, gearing up with the extra arsenal we all seem to keep in your cars, no matter the situation. God knows we’ve needed the extra firepower more times than we can count, and we all knew coming here tonight could be a shitshow.
Tossing my jacket into the back of Rory’s Bronco, I make sure all my magazines are full before sliding my Beretta’s in the shoulder holster strapped across my back. My mind is going a million miles an hour, running through of scenario possible no matter how badly I want to hope for the best. For all we know, she could already be dead.
“Are we ready?” Ev asks, handing his suit jacket to his wife and kissing her forehead.
We all nod, and I know my fear is evident on my face. I can feel the anger boiling just under the surface of my skin.
“You’re going to find her, Iris. And she’s going to be fine,” Kelsea says, hugging me tightly. I want to believe her, but until I have my hands on Magnolia, I won’t believe anything.
We say our goodbyes to the girls and they all agree to keep an eye on Magnolia’s dad, promising to send a 911 if anything looks out of place. We decide to split up, connecting our com ear pieces and moving as inconspicuously as possible down the driveway. Breaker and I follow the beach until we reach the house, while Ev and Eli follow the main road. By the time we get to the house, my adrenaline has skyrocketed. I’m trying like hell not to get tunnel vision, but all I want to see are the beautiful green eyes that haunt my dreams. I just want my woman back in my arms.
“Movement inside. Looks like two in the living room,” Breaker says, looking through the side windows.
“Eli is under the deck now. Give him a minute and the power should be cut.” Everett says into the radio, and I nod.
I’ve worked hundred of missions with this team, saved hundreds of lives. But none has ever been more important than this one. Magnolia is the first person who ever made me look past the now and long for a future. I can see myself twenty years from now, my face beginning to weather with age, and her smile beaming back at me just as brightly as the first time I ever saw it.I know if she lets me, I will love her for the rest of our lives and into the next one. I just need more time.
The house plunges into darkness and I make eye contact with Breaker, who gives me a sharp nod. We approach the back door, peaking through the large windows from the cover of darkness.
Magnolia’s mother is yelling something at Aaron, and he yells back, gesturing wildly with a gun in his hand. I scan the room, quickly locating my girl in the corner near the fireplace. From this angle, it almost looks like she’s smiling. Fuck, I hope she is. I hope she never doubted for a moment that we would come for her.
“Fucking do something, Aaron,” Patricia screams from inside the house, and Aaron looks around erratically. He has no idea how to handle this situation, and I’m more than happy to prey on his inexperience.
“If he comes out the back, I’ll take him,” Breaker whispers, and I nod. Unfortunately, Aaron heads towards the front door, and I curse the universe.
“Incoming, Eli. Silent takedown,” I radio back to the guys, and watch closely as Magnolia’s mother pulls a pistol from her clutch on the bar in the dining room. What twisted fucking reality am I living in that these high society assholes are just walking around with 9mms in their Chanel bags?
She seems agitated, pointing the gun at Magnolia while yelling for Aaron to hurry up. Magnolia stands, causing her mother to back up towards the back door. Patricia’s back is to me, and I pray to the gods Magnolia can sense my presence here.
Keep pushing, angel. Lead her straight to me.
Magnolia takes a small step forward, and I almost believe she heard me. Her mother keeps her pistol trained on Magnolia, and we don’t make a sound.
“You want me to end this?” Breaker whispers, and I shake my head. I know he could take the shot, but the chances ofsomething happening to Magnolia in the process are way too high. I won’t risk her safety.
“Iris, we can’t hold this position forever. We have to make a decision.” He says, and I know he’s right. Never in my life have I ever frozen in the middle of a mission. But I’ve never held something so precious in the palm of my hand.
“I don’t…” I stutter, and look to Breaker for the solution to this problem.
“I can take the shot, Iris. Most likely, we will all make it out of here with minimal injuries. Well, everyone except her mother.” He whispers, and for once the idea of minimal injuries seems completely unacceptable to me.
“Listen to me, Jason. No matter what happens next, you make sure she gets out of here unharmed. Understand?” I ask, and he’s stares back at me. His eyes are asking me if I’m sure about what I’m implying and I’ve never felt more sure of anything else in my life. If it comes down to a choice, I will give my life for hers without a second thought.
He nods sharply, not hesitating as he leans a shoulder against the doorway and trains his pistol on Magnolia’s mother. I slip mine into the holster, hoping I’m not completely insane.
Before either woman can make another move, I open the back door wide, stepping through with my hands up in front of me. Giving Patricia something else to aim at is my goal here, but I don’t want to scare her into doing something rash.
“Let her go, Patricia. She’s your daughter, for fuck’s sake,” I say, and her mother scoffs. A small squeak of panic comes from Magnolia’s mouth, but she doesn’t move.
“Some daughter she's been. Not worth the time or money it took to raise her,” she says, and anger floods my system. I can’t imagine the pain Magnolia grew up with living in a house with this woman. “I should’ve known you’d find us.”
