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As we proceeded down the long hallway, the sounds of masculine voices grew louder, echoing off the walls like thunderous booms. The air was thick with tension, and a sense of foreboding settled over us like a heavy blanket. The hallway seemed to stretch on for eternity, the darkness and silence broken only by the distant chatter of voices. Finally, we reached a fork in the road and halted, our hearts pounding with trepidation. Maxwell’s expression soured, and I sensed what he was going to say before the words left his mouth.
“We should split up. Watch your back and get the hell out of here if you find her.”
As I agreed to go alone, I braced myself and set out down the dark corridor. The air was stale, with only the faint sound of my footsteps to break the silence echoing against the walls. Most of the doors I passed were shut tight, but as I approached the one ahead, I noticed it was slightly ajar. With my heart pounding in my chest, I peered inside and my worst fears were confirmed. Belle was kneeling on the ground, her face contorted in fear, with a gun forced into her mouth like a helpless animal about to be slaughtered. The acrid scent of gunpowder and sweat permeated the air, making me nauseous.
Despite my better judgement, I took a step forward, heedless of the broken glass that crunched beneath my feet. The man holding the gun swiveled his head toward me, yanking the weapon out of Belle’s mouth, and she screamed my name in sheer terror. Her cry pierced my soul, and the sound of it would haunt me forever. The man hit her over the head with his gun, knocking her out. Maxwell was right. This man was my enemy, and it was easy to put two slugs into the center of his chest. The sound was deafening, and there was a pause before I heard more shots fired in the distance. I rushed forward into the room, hoping that Maxwell wasn’t in too much trouble, as I picked up Belle.
My gaze fell upon the motionless woman lying beside her. A wave of sadness washed over me. The stench of death hung heavy in the air, causing my stomach to churn. I longed to help her, to somehow make things right, but I knew it was beyond my power. The room was quiet, save for the sound of my own labored breathing and the occasional drip of water. Despite the silence, I felt as if I could hear the woman’s heart beating its last, mournful song. I tore my eyes away from her, reluctant to leave her behind, but knowing deep down that there was nothing more I could do.
Then Maxwell was there, picking the thin woman up with ease.
“I took out a few, but we need to move now.”
I could sense the tension in his voice, and it sent a chill down my spine. As we hurried out of the building, my heart raced with a mixture of fear and adrenaline. I kept Belle close to my chest, the weight of her body a comfort against the chaos of the moment. Outside, the cool night air hit me like a brick, filling my lungs with the scent of gasoline and exhaust fumes. The headlights of the car glared at me as I climbed into the backseat, cradling Belle in my lap. The woman Maxwell had brought with us slumped beside me, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. My muscles tensed as we sped away from the scene, every nerve in my body on high alert.
I made a phone call as we drove to the airport in the early morning light, making sure that the private jet was ready. Maxwell made his own call using a burner phone, informing the authorities of the sex ring and the building they were using to keep their victims. Then he tossed the phone out the window. Our eyes locked in the rearview mirror for a moment, and I knew we were both deeply disturbed by what we’d seen. It was sick, what these men were doing, and I held Belle to me more tightly as we drove in silence.
When we reached the private jet, the pilot was already waiting for us. He didn’t ask questions as we boarded with two injured and unconscious women, and I was glad. Once we were settled into the seats, I took a closer look at the woman in Maxwell’s arms and felt my jaw drop. She had to be Belle’s sister. They looked so much alike. I was glad that we’d brought her along, but I hoped that she’d be okay. She looked close to death.
I turned my head to look out the window as the jet made its way down the tarmac. Belle stirred in my arms and I bent down to press a soft kiss on her forehead. Her eyelids fluttered open, and I saw the relief in them when she realized she was with me.
“Sebastian?”
“Yes, sweetheart. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
“Where are we going?”
“Home.”
She smiled slightly and fell back asleep.
* * *
I sat impatiently in the cushioned chair in Belle’s private hospital suite. There was a medical team waiting on the tarmac when we touched down, and we all went straight to the hospital. The doctor checked all her vitals and the vitals of the babies. Everything was fine with the only scrape being on her head. A small row of stitches weaved through her soft skin, and it was a reminder to myself to never ever let her out of my sight again. Eager to take her home, the doctors agreed if she stayed on bed rest for two weeks. Between fighting for her life, and worrying about her sister, it’s a miracle nothing happened to the babies.
Her sister was much worse off, and she’d have a longer hospital stay, but she had the best doctors in the country working on getting her better.
Fiona and Belle laid in their beds side by side, their hands clasped together as if they never wanted to let go. The soft hum of the machines beside them filled the air, blending with the sound of their gentle breathing. The pale light of the moon filtered in through the window, casting a serene glow on the room. It was as if time had stopped, and the world outside was far away from this peaceful haven.
The graphic details of Belle’s ordeal made me feel nauseous; I couldn’t bear the thought of what her sister must have gone through. I felt relieved that the two of them were now together, and I made a promise to myself that Belle would never be alone again. Her sister was her only family, besides me and our soon-to-be-born babies. Together, we would be her family for eternity.
I approached Belle’s bedside and sat down gingerly, careful not to disturb her slumber. My fingers grazed her soft skin as I caressed her cheek, seeking comfort in the simple act of touch. The faint sound of her breathing and the soft rustle of the sheets were the only sounds in the room, and the gentle light filtering in through the window cast a warm glow on her face. Suddenly, Belle’s eyelids fluttered open, and she greeted me with a drowsy smile. As her gaze swept over to Fiona’s bed, I noticed a hint of tears in Belle’s eyes, making me wonder whether joy or sorrow overwhelmed her, but I suspected a little of both.
“Your sister will be here for a few extra days,” I said, knowing that she was worried about her. “She has a lot of broken ribs and is pretty malnourished, so they want to keep a close eye on her.”
Belle gave me a warm look and reached for my hand. I brought it to my mouth and kissed the back of it, breathing in her scent.
“I can’t believe I almost lost you,” I said. “I swear, I won’t let it happen again.”
There was a silent moment, and Belle gave me a weak smile. “So, what kind of candy company owner are you, anyway?”
I knew that I’d have to eventually do some explaining about my past. I’d only lightly touched on the fact that I was in the armed forces, but she’d witnessed me in action now, and I figured I owed her some answers. Later. When she felt better.
“How did you find me, anyway?”
I hesitated. She might be pissed, but I was going to tell her, anyway.
“I put a tracking device in your arm, near the spot where the birth control was.”
