by Alla Kar
“What are you doing here?”
I swallowed and lifted my chin. “I’m here to tell you that I’m in love with your daughter, and I’m not going to back down, sir.”
Wes closed his eyes and held the bridge of his nose. “I haven’t changed my mind, son. I still don’t want you anywhere near my daugh—,”
“No disrespect, but it’s her life and she’s the one living it. I would never let anything happen to her. I’m so in love with her that I hurt. These past four days have been eating away at me. I need to see her, please.”
Wes gripped the doorframe. “I shouldn’t have trusted you. I knew my daughter would fall for you, I knew it. She’s weak because of her breakup and she needs time—,”
“This isn’t some bullshit game to me! She’s anything but weak! She’s strong and beautiful. She’s the only person in the fucking world that’s meant for me, and I saw it the moment I laid eyes on her. I shouldn’t even have made that stupid ass promise. Please don’t make this harder for us. I’d give my life for her.”
“It’s easy to say that,” Wes said. “You’ve done nothing but lie to us. I know you’re in some shit now and hiding. I’m not an idiot. I won’t let you take my daughter down—,” he trailed off. Something clicked over his face. “Where is Lucy?” He searched the yard. “Lucy!” he called.
I glanced over my shoulder, frustrated that I’d sat and taken so much shit from him. “Lucy!” he called again.
She didn’t come.
He turned around and raced through the house. I followed his heavy footsteps toward Neveah’s room and stopped in the doorjamb.
Lucy paced in front of the window, whining and pawing at her face. Oh no … a lamp was knocked over beside her bed. But that wasn’t what scared me. It was that the bed was empty and the sheets were torn off.
Wes reached for a note on the bed and his shoulders tensed. He stared at the paper until I reached forward and snatched it from his hands, he didn’t move.
We’ve got your Angel, Rage.
Come and get her or we’ll start sending body parts.
Christ. Vomit crawled up my throat, forcing me toward the bathroom where I threw up my dinner. My fingertips clutched the toilet, and the cool porcelain felt like Heaven against my burning skin.
“Who has her?” Wes said, the venom in his voice set me on edge. “Who the fuck has my daughter!”
I shot up from the ground and clutched my hands to keep from slamming his head against the wall. “Denver Ford has her. He’s the biggest drug dealer in Dallas. They have her at his house, I know they do. That’s where my sister is.”
Wes’s lip turned up into a sneer. “You better hope I find my daughter because if I don’t, I’m going to kill you.”
The burning in my eyes threatened to unleash tears. “If we don’t find Neveah, I’d kill myself.”
The door burst opened. Cooper raced in holding a manila folder in his hands. “Wes, I found—,” his voice dropped when he noticed me but a smile replaced it. “I found out that Declan Samuels isn’t who he says he is. Isn’t that right, Rage Cohen?”
I didn’t even give a fuck anymore. Wes slapped the folder down and grabbed Cooper’s shirt. “Don’t act like you brought that here to help me out. The only intention you have is getting Neveah back. Now get the fuck out of here before I beat your ass.”
Cooper’s mouth fell opened. “Where is Neveah—,”
“Out!” Wes screamed. “Now!”
Cooper dropped his head but disappeared. The front door slammed shut a second later. “Don’t think that this means you’re for Neveah, because you’re not. This means I’m keeping you here because you’re the only one that can take me to my daughter.”
I hadn’t thought any different. Taking a deep breath, I pushed aside the fear growing in my chest. I needed to leave. Pain and frustration fought to take over my head. “We need to leave now. My inside connection won’t answer the phone but we’re going to need help.”
A tear fell down Wes’ cheek, and I felt the desperation he had. Neveah was his only family left, and I’d taken that away. “We can ask Chase.”
I frowned. I didn’t want to ask the little prick anything but beggars can’t be choosers. “These guys aren’t some silly little gang. They’re the biggest drug dealers in Texas. I don’t want to risk anyone else’s life with this.”
Wes let out a bitter laugh. “Well it’s to fucking late for that, kid. We’re all fucking dead if I don’t get Neveah back. I’m calling Chase.”
***
I stared at the phone after my sixth call to Dante. Straight to voicemail. Hurt piled on my heart and was slowly suffocating me.
The bastard would not take her away from me. I’d have her in my hands by nightfall and no one would be able to pry her away.
I braced my elbows on my knees and let my head hang. How had I fucked up so badly? I should have taken my own advice and left her alone. But part of me was addicted to her, and I knew that part was the real me. The me that was there before my parents’ death and before Denver. Before my sister said ‘yes’ to the man that tried to take my life.
The front door shut, then Chase stood in front of me. I half expected him to start hitting me but he didn’t. He offered me his hand. “You ready to go get our girl back?”
Despite wanting to knock him out for the ‘our girl’ statement, I took his hand and stood upright. This guy didn’t know me from Adam, and he was willingly trusting me to save his friend—my true love. “I’m ready to murder this prick. I’m gonna rip him apart.”
Chase grinned. “I’ll hold the garbage bag open for you.”
Wes knocked against Neveah’s door. “Are we ready?” It didn’t take long to notice the handgun in his palm, but I didn’t say anything. He’d probably need the damn thing. Compared to what we were up against, it was a needle against a sword. “I have two more in the truck.”
Wes searched Chase’s face and then turned to mine. “You better hope we find her alive or it’ll be your last day on this earth, son.”
Chase palmed my shoulder when Wes turned around and left. “We’ll get her back, man. I know you love her. And I know you’ll do everything you can to get her back. I’ve got you.”
I just hoped that my everything was fucking good enough this time.
***
Being the middle of the day, it limited our options of saving Neveah. Guards stood in the front of the house, no guns visible, but I knew they were tucked into their belts.
“We’ve got to get to the back side of the house and sneak in. We’ll have to go through the woods.” I pointed toward the forest surrounding the house.
Chase cracked his knuckles. “Can these guys fight?”
I gave him a long sideways glance. “Yes, but they let their guns do the work. So we don’t need to get caught. We’ve got to stay alive.”
Wes snorted, running his palms over his face. “Says the ex-con, right? That’s what the folder Cooper brought over said.”
I couldn’t blame him for reading it. Fuck, I was sleeping with his daughter and my criminal record did nothing to help my situation. “Yeah, I’ve been in prison,” I said, sitting back in Wes’ truck. “The guy behind those doors set-me-up on a drug deal. I’d started dealing to pay for my sister’s college after my parents died when I was eighteen. I’ve had a fucked up life and made fucked up decisions, but I’m not going to fuck this up. My entire world is being held against her will in that fucking house, and I’ll do anything to protect her.”
We stared at each other for a few seconds.
“So, is that the only advice you’ve got,” Chase said from the backseat. “I mean—it’s not very good. Don’t get killed? Don’t get caught? What the fuck, man?”
Wes shot Chase a dirty look. “You’re more than welcomed to stay in the car, Chase. I’ll go get you some tampons at the store later.”
I couldn’t help the smile on my face.
“Hey,” Chase barked out. “I’m here, aren’t I?
Forgive a guy for thinking twice about his life.”
Wes opened his mouth, but I cut him off. “Are we going to pull on each other’s dicks all day, or are we going in? I can’t stand another minute of this.”
Wes and Chase both nodded my way and despite the rushing sound of fear in my eardrums, I opened my door and sat off into the woods.
The house was huge, but there weren’t any guards around back. A large swimming pool sat inside a fence that was big enough for a small third-world country. No movement come from the outside, but I had a feeling they weren’t far.
“I’m going to go in the side window—there.” I pointed toward the window closest to us. “I’ll do a quick sweep and wave you in afterwards. Stay here.”
Wes grabbed my forearm, tears coated his eyes and for the first time in a week I felt bad for him. “Bring my baby back to me.”
I nodded, not knowing what to say and started toward the window. The wind blew against my heated skin and soothed the feeling convulsing through me. I crouched down and half-crawled toward the house.
Through the heavy sound of my heart-beat, I made out voices coming from the back. The door slammed and then the water splashed in the pool. My sister’s laugh echoed through the air, and my heart hammered in my throat. I wanted to go find her—to kill Denver right then a there, but I had to find Neveah first.
My sister loved the life she had here, although after today I figured she’d leave, I had no reason to blow my cover and save her first.
A light flickered from the woods, and I gave them a small nod to let them know I was going in. I’d snuck into multiple houses before, stripped people blind of money and jewelry, but I’d never been the good guy. The guy that risked his life to save someone. The pressure ate at my insides.
Turning, I shoved the window up and searched the darkened room. An office. I slipped inside, the air conditioner felt like a blanket over my sweaty skin. The room was bare, only a computer and a few filing cabinets sat against the walls.
Light filtered underneath the door and footsteps thudded against the floor. Once they passed, I walked toward the door and stuck my head out slowly. The gun Wes gave me was tucked into the back of my jeans, but I didn’t plan to use it, not until I had it to Denver’s skull.
The door creaked when I opened it, my foot-steps sounded like bricks to glass. Even my heartbeat sounded loud enough to draw attention. The hallway was long and several doors lined each wall.
Fucking shit, there is another floor to check. I closed my eyes and thought of where she would be. Basement? Attic? There wasn’t anything outside to hold her in, so she had to be in the house somewhere.
I started checking the rooms, my hand latched onto the gun in my jeans, my heart thudding in my eardrums. Most were bedrooms and game rooms. Nothing.
The staircase stood across the living room. I listened by the edge of the hallway but heard nothing. Pulling my gun out, I crept across the room, my gun ready. I took the staircase two at a time until I stood at the beginning of another long hallway.
I instantly knew which door she was in because of the lock on the front. I rushed forward and pulled on the rusty lock. Checking behind me, I clutched my jaw and aimed my gun.
The shot would alert everyone in the house, but I’d have enough time to get to her, save her. I fired one shot, the lock broke and fell to the floor. Someone gasped from the inside, and my heart hammered. The distant sound of people screaming sounded in the back of my mind but all I could think about was getting to her.
Yanking the chain, I kicked the door inward, light filtered into the hallway and my breath caught in my throat.
“Rage,” her voice a whisper.
Holy shit. She sat in the middle of a large bed with her feet chained to the bed post. Blood was smeared against her mouth, her shirt hung in shreds against her body. “Angel,” I whispered.
I stepped to diminish the distance between us when her eyes widened. “Watch out!”
I spun on my heel. The butt of Denver’s gun was the last thing I saw before I fell to the ground, Neveah’s voice drifted far away and everything went black.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Neveah
Oh no. No! Please, God.
I wiped my cheeks of the waterfall of tears that coated them. Denver snapped his fingers and two armed men from outside grabbed Rage underneath his arms and pulled him over to the corner of the room. “Leave him alone!” I screamed.
Denver’s chuckle sent chills down my spine. He watched them chain Rage to the wall with a smile on his face before turning to acknowledge me. His piercing blue eyes twinkled, his swim trunks hung low on his hips and the lack of compassion on his face hit me like a brick. “Sweet Angel,” he said. “I’ve got plans for you as soon as your fuck buddy over there wakes up.”
He walked toward me, grabbing my foot and yanked me toward him. Fear rushed through me when his finger trailed up the inside of my thigh. I slapped it away, thankful for the use of my hands. My feet had fallen asleep two hours before due to the heavy chains that tied me down. “Oh, don’t be mean,” he cooed. “I just want what you so willingly gave him.”
No. No. No. Please, wake up, Rage. Someone please fucking help us.
“No,” I cried, unable to stop the tears. “Please don’t touch me. Hannah!” I screamed, hoping she’d hear me.
Denver smiled. “She’s down at the pool with her headphones on, Sweet Angel. She won’t hear your cries.” He moved his palm up my thigh, closer to the edge of my panties. They didn’t give me any clothes, so I still wore Rage’s T-shirt from when I crawled into my bed.
I traced his face with my eyes, praying to see one ounce of humanity left there but there was nothing—but a huge scar across his face. The scar Rage gave him. “When I’m done with you, you’ll be begging for me,” he whispered, leaning forward. “You’ll need me like you think you need him.”
“I don’t fuck guys with fucked up faces,” I spit.
A sneer rose from the corner of his lip, and he backhanded me. I hit the mattress, stars danced along the corner of my vision, my breath caught in my throat. I needed to be strong, so I bit my tongue until I tasted blood. “You’ll shut your stupid mouth. Rage might like that shit, but I like my women obedient and silent.”
The doorbell sounded and Denver cursed. “Fucking shit. Come on guys, I bet that’s the pizza. I’m getting hungry, anyway.”
Pizza? The thought of food made my stomach hurt. I hadn’t eaten, not that I would have been able to eat anything. But the fact that he could eat with two people chained in his house made reality a whole lot clearer. We were going to die soon.
They left without another word, slamming the door on their way out. A cry burst from my throat. I’d always been strong-willed but all I felt was small and helpless. There was no getting out of these chains alone.
“Rage,” I whispered.
His head rested against the wall, his eyes closed and body lifeless. “Wake up!” I shouted. “Please, wake up. I love you so much. I just want to talk to you! Talk to me!” I felt the desperation in my voice, the helplessness that I always strived to beat. It was there, and it was eating away at me slowly.
The room felt small despite the space, and each breath felt like my last. I jerked my feet against the chains making sure to cause as much noise as I could. “Help! Hannah! Please!” I screamed.
I didn’t know her from Adam, but she was our only chance. If seeing her brother chained to the wall didn’t soften her heart then nothing would. The minutes ticked by, memories of my mother and growing up flooded my brain. It was like I’d already accepted the fate that Denver had sealed the minute his men took me from my bed.
The door clicked opened, and I held my breath. Hannah stepped inside, her face ashen. “What—Neveah?” she whispered. “Oh God.” He eyed turned to Rage. “Rage!” she shouted, running toward him. “What happened?” she asked over sobs, her blonde hair matted to her wet cheeks. “Wake up, Bubba,” she whispered, slapping at his f
ace. “Just wake up.”
“Denver took me in the middle of the night. He found out Rage was alive.”
She closed her eyes and touched his cheek. “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault.” Her shoulders shook. “I’m sorry, Rage. Please wake up. I’m so sorry.”
Rage groaned, his eyes fluttered opened. When the haziness vanished, he sat straight up, his eyes searching Hannah’s face and then landing on me. “Did he touch you?”
“No,” I lied.
He nodded, a look of complete rage took over his face. “I’m sorry, Rage. I told him. I told him about Neveah at the mall. I had no idea—,” she broke off into a shoulder-shaking sob.
I wanted to be angry at her. The thought to beat the hell out of her crossed my mind but the chains made that a problem. “Hannah,” Rage cooed. “We’ll talk about it later. I need you to get us out of here. We’ve got to leave or he’s going to kill us.”
Hannah wiped her eyes and stood up. “I’ll try to find some clippers or his keys. I—I’ll be back.”
She stopped in front of the bed and bent down in front of me. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. I thought he loved me. I thought he was for me.”
I nodded because I believed her. I’d believed Heath was for me at one point. “Go,” I whispered. “Get us out of here.”
She left the room, shutting the door closed behind her. Rage let out a bitter laugh and let his head fall back against the wall. “I’m so sorry, Angel. This is all my fault. It’s all my fucking fault.”
“Don’t,” I whispered, shaking my head. “Don’t blame yourself. This is Denver, not you. We’ll get out of here. Does my dad know I’m missing?”
He nodded. “Chase and him are outside waiting on my call.”
Fear grabbed my throat. Dad and Chase were outside? What if they found them? Tears streamed down my face. I didn’t know how many more I would shed, I felt they’d dry out soon. “She’ll get us out,” I whispered. “She has to.”
Rage’s dark gaze landed on me. “I love you so much, Angel. I won’t let them touch you. We’ll get out of here.”