When it’s safe to move
On the screen, Zach moves to the window and peers outside. My heart stalls. Fuck.
“When this is over, everyone will beg for us to provide order.” Zach’s smile is evil. “We’ll be able to do what we want with who we want. Maybe we’ll even keep the little bird to play with. Or offer her as a reward when someone does something good.”
The sound of a twig breaking fills the silence.
“Fuck.” Tanner jerks toward the outside door. “I knew you were followed.”
“It’s probably a dog, asshole,” Alex says. “You’re so fucking paranoid.”
“Wait until they come after you and then tell me I’m fucking paranoid.” Tanner leaves the room.
“Why do we put up with his dumb ass?” Trace shakes his head and drags on a joint.
“Because he has information we need.” Zach stares out the window.
I can’t tell if he can see them or not. I’m completely blind as to where Eli and Harper are. If I say something, it’s possible Zach might hear it. Fuck.
“Fuck.” Zach straightens. “Maybe the asshole was right. Check the perimeter.”
The camera cuts out. The connection ends on my phone.
“Get it back, Jack!” I stare at the empty screen. Nothing has come through on Eli and Harper. No text. “Fuck.”
I pull up the app for Harper’s GPS ring. It has her in an area near the house. I snag my keys, but Nico grabs my arm.
“What?” I glare at him and try to shake him off.
“If you go, they won’t get away.” Nico looks at the feed as it comes back online. The room is empty. “They’ll know Eli is there. Right now, they’re just guessing.”
“Eli will protect her.” Jack runs a trembling hand through his hair.
Caden strides over to the boxing bag hanging from the ceiling and punches into it.
“I’ll kill them all if they touch her.” I strain to hear anything from the monitor.
Nico releases my arm. “You’ll have to get in line.”
Eli
It’s past time to leave, but I keep hoping they’ll give us more information. The camera should be picking up the audio, but there’s no guarantee. I make sure the camera is hidden and draw Harper back the way we came, sliding along the wall. A snap fills the silence.
Her eyes widen in terror, but there’s nothing to be done now. A door slams somewhere in the house. This is why plans are important and why, while we were listening, I was checking the surrounding area.
I won’t let them get her. I should have made her return to the car in the first place. Made her drive off to the guys, left me behind. I can handle myself, but I can’t let them touch her. Fuck.
We rush away from the house to the neighbor’s, which is only a few feet away and has a decent amount of bushes. We slip between the siding and the bushes. The thorns catch at my shirt and jeans.
Harper doesn’t make a sound as we tuck in tight against the house in the dark. Tanner runs by. All we see is his jeans and shoes. He stops at the window and checks the area. We didn’t leave a trace except the camera, but it’s small. The darkness should help conceal it.
I’ll return in the morning to reclaim it.
“Fuck,” he huffs out.
“Did you really expect them to be standing here waiting for you?” Zach’s chuckle fills the air. “Even if they were here.”
Harper tenses and I draw her tighter against me.
