Page 26 of Saved By the Marines (Soldiers Of Misfortune)

“Senator Michaels.” The smooth voice didn’t belong to the two thugs who’d kidnapped me. My eye snapped open and sure enough, I saw them standing out of the way of the video chat. Who was this man then?

“Who-”

“You know who,” the man hissed. “I’m going to need you to do me a few favors. That is…if you want to see your daughter alive again.”

There was silence for a few moments before my father’s angry voice filled the room. “You’re blackmailing me?”

Just like Dad, more insulted that they would blackmail him versus being horrified that they took his daughter. The muscles in the man’s back flexed beneath his chambray shirt. He was dressed like a rancher, but sounded like the scum of the earth. How had I ended up in this situation?

I listened in as the man requested millions of dollars and for men I didn’t know to be released from prison.

“Fine. I’ll need time to arrange it all. I’ll also need to see that my daughter is unharmed.”

I was shocked at how quickly he gave in.He didn’t even try to negotiate. Maybe Dad does love me more than I thought.

The man stepped to the side and I blinked at the phone. “Dad?”

His face was a mask of rage. It didn’t soften when he spotted me and my bruised face. “Bailey. Are you alright?”

My eye darted over to the men standing against the wall. Crazy Town lifted his knife and mimed slashing it over his own throat. A whimper tore out of my throat, but I nodded and focused back on my dad. “Yeah.” I only hoped he could see the fear in my expression and realize that I wasn’t safe here. The most I could hope was that they’d keep me alive until he finished his task. After that, I’d be coming home in a body bag.

“You’ve seen her,” the newest man said, stepping into view again. “You have twenty-four hours.”

“That’s impossible,” Dad sputtered. “Arranging that here from Colombia in twenty-four hours isn’t feasible.”

My heart sank down so low I was shocked it didn’t melt through the floorboards. He wasn’t going to be able to save me? Was he going to let these men kill me? Was anyone even looking for me? I was so upset that I didn’t even hear the rest of the conversation. They didn’t let me speak to Dad again before hanging up.

Tears pricked at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn’t let these men see me cry. They pulled me out of my seat, pausing at the door when their boss spoke again.

“Make sure she stays alive until he does what we want.”

“And then?”

His grin was pure evil and I had to look away. My fate was sealed with a flash of straight white teeth. Suddenly I didn’t want Dad to pay the ransom. I wanted more time.

I was dragged back to the shed and tossed in like an errant farm animal. At least they left me alone. Despite how thirsty and hungry I was, I didn’t ask for anything. I wanted them gone. If they left me here, I could work on my ropes and hopefully be out of this shed just as the sun was dipping down under the horizon.

* * *

The last raysof the sun were fading as I studied the door in front of me. It was locked with a heavy chain and padlock on the outside. I could chop my way out with the ax, but that might be noticed. There was no way I could get out of here quietly.

Walking over, I picked up the ax with two hands, lugging it over to the back corner of the shed. I moved tools out of the way enough that I could squeeze under the bottom shelving back there. Once I was wedged into the corner, I started hitting the ax against the wooden wall. I winced with every hit. I used short strokes and tried to make it as quiet as possible. It was slow going, and I was still making noise, but not a lot and no one came to check on me. Eventually, I carved out enough space that I could squeeze through.

I pushed my body through the hole and took a quick look around. No one was here. They were probably doing whatever end of day chores were required in a place like this. There were animals here too, chickens roamed the yard and I’d heard a mooing coming from the barn as they’d dragged me back and forth. Hopefully the animals and crops needing tending would give me a decent head start.

My feet were bruised, cut, and swollen and I’d sell my entire cookware collection for a pair of sturdy shoes. Since there was nothing here for me and I wasn’t stupid enough to go snooping around inside the house, I made a beeline for the forest.

For the second time in two days, I let the brush swallow me. I needed to keep moving. To stop and rest could mean the end for me. Survival was the only thing on my mind right now.

CHAPTER12

Kip

Iglared down at the GPS in my hands. “Four more miles.” It didn’t sound like much, but out here, where the roads weren’t maintained this drive was taking forever. The sun was setting and if we didn’t get to Bailey soon who knew what they’d do to her.

Brando hadn’t had an answer as to why Salazar had kidnapped her, that was for us to figure out. And we would. Once we got her back.

Jas let out a low curse and for once I knew exactly how he felt. Before I could say anything the SAT phone rang. I answered it, automatically putting it on speaker mode. “Yo.”

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