Page 59 of Forged Forever

“So the bad guys have him?” I ask, freaking out a little at the thought of something horrible happening to Troy. What about Gabby and Seb? Would they have to go into foster care? I couldn’t let that happen, not after my awful experience. Troy is such a nice guy. I’d hate to see him hurt, or worse.

I feel Dad shaking my shoulder, and I blink a few times. “Are you with me, darling?”

“Yeah, sorry. My mind spiralled for a minute. I’m back.”

“That’s okay. You’re doing really well tonight. I was saying my guess is one of the FBI agents has it, assuming they showed up on time. Remember, they had an investigation going into their agents. One of the bad guys is likely here and snagged his phone and is trying to lure us out.”

“For what purpose?”

“It depends on his goals, who he’s working for,” Zander shrugs, “but none of it's good.”

Damn. “I’m glad you’re in here with me, Dad. I would’ve probably opened the door after that text.”

“Me too,” he smiles. “How about a drink and a snack? I don’t have tea, but there are a few sodas and instant coffee.”

I grab a soda for some caffeine and sugar to keep me awake as I try to focus on the tv show. Another hour passes with no news, except for the occasional text telling Dad it’s safe to come out now.

Chapter 35

I doze off again, despite trying to stay awake. The next time I open my eyes, Dad's standing up, stretching. Looking at the monitor, I see it’s morning. “Sorry, I fell asleep again. I’m a terrible lookout,” I joke.

“I’m glad you’re resting. It will be a long day when we get out of here. How about some breakfast?” Zander preps two MREs for us. One oatmeal and the other eggs, and I choose the oatmeal. As we’re finishing up, we hear a beep near the door. Dad quickly pulls his gun, telling me to get down in the corner with mine ready. Once I’m situated, he enters a code from our side and slowly cracks the door open with his gun raised, his body blocking me from harm. After a few seconds, his arm with the gun lowers, and he opens the door wider. Words are exchanged, but my ears are ringing too hard to listen.

Dad looks over his shoulder at me and nods. I get up, flick the safety back on, and set the gun down on the desk. Peeking around him, I see Troy and another man in the closet. Troy’s left shoulder is wrapped in a sling, and I can see blood on him. “Are you okay?” I ask.

“I’m good, Summer. Glad to see you’re in one piece,” he smiles, but you can see pain in his eyes and tiredness etching his features. I notice Dad still has his gun in his hand, so something isn’t right yet.

“What’s next?” I ask.

“Waiting for Eddie to confirm all the bad guys are gone or locked up so you can leave the room.”

“All accounted for, Z,” he responds with a nod.

“Let’s gather up our things and get out of here then.” Zander puts his gun in its holster and pulls the door almost closed, encouraging me to stay behind him.

I step back further into the room as he grabs the laptop, handing it to me and stuffs some zip ties in his back pocket, before picking up my gun in his left hand, holding it behind his back. Swinging the door open all the way, he gestures for Eddie and Troy to walk out ahead of us from the closet, keeping me behind him.

This is not good. Who are they worried about? Eddie? Troy didn’t stop us from leaving, and he entered the code. I follow behind them, feeling the adrenaline pumping through my body, making me more alert. As I’m about to step out of the closet, Dad pushes me backwards and raises my gun, pointing it to the right. Not knowing what’s happening, I flatten myself against the wall. Please let everyone be okay.

“That’s far enough,” Zander says. “Hands up where I can see them.”

Zander tosses Troy his phone, telling him to call his cell. I hear ringing coming from where I assume Eddie is. Seconds later, the gun goes off, and I hear a grunt and a thump. Oh damn.

Zander steps fully out of the closet, arms still raised as I remain still against the wall. I can see Troy coming closer to me, brows furrowed. His own gun pointing to the right. Fortunately, his injury is to his left shoulder, so he still has use of his dominant arm.

There’s some rustling and swearing happening. A few thumps later, Zander’s face enters the doorway with a grim smile. “Come out, darling. It should be safe now, but stay very close, okay?”

“Sure. So, he’s a bad guy?”

“Yes. He had Troy’s phone.”

Peeking out of the closet, I see Eddie sitting on the floor, hands behind his back, with a bleeding thigh. That must be where Dad shot him. He’s scowling at us but is silent. Troy is still standing guard with his gun raised, pointed at Eddie.

Dad grabs Eddie and hauls him up by his arm, and Eddie swears, probably from his gunshot wound. Pushing him in front and holding onto him with his left hand, Dad pulls his gun out again to have at the ready. “Stay between Troy and me until I say otherwise.”

Nodding, I walk behind Dad, in front of Troy, as Dad leads the man out of the bedroom. Troy still has his gun in hand, raised as well. We walk slowly down the hall and head out the front door to a mass of vehicles and people.

Troy steps up and grabs Eddie. “I’ve got him, Z.” He whistles, waving someone over with an FBI baseball cap.