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We both entered the kitchen and I noticed Mike had opened the back door. “What are you doing?”
“Getting ready to convince Madisen to come in.”
“What the hell did you say?” I took long strides toward the door, jerking it open myself. “You let her walk outside? What the hell did you do to her?”
“I didn’t do shit,” he snapped then rubbed his jaw. “We argued. Okay? She’s pissed at me.”
“So am I. She’s in danger, you asshole, but you don’t seem to care about that.”
“That’s bullshit!”
“What’s going on?” Stephen said from the doorway leading to the hallway.
Anger swept through every cell and muscle in my body. Both Mike and I glared at each other.
“Madisen was allowed to go outside by this son of a bitch. Get Gio and the others. And I’ll deal with you later,” I told Mike, flipping on the outside light, then slamming the door behind me. The wind had picked up in intensity in the last few minutes. I leaned over the railing. “Madisen!” I scanned the perimeter as I grabbed the weapon from behind my back. Then I heard what sounded like the gate being rattled and swung my arms in that direction, aiming the flashlight toward the fence.
As Ralph raced in from the exterior, he shielded his eyes then headed in my direction.
Another crack of thunder rolled, a series of lightning bolts indicating the storm was right over us.
As the rain began to pour down, I jogged to the bottom of the stairs, swinging the light. “Madisen!” While it was possible that she didn’t hear my bellowed call given the heavy rain, I wasn’t buying it.
“Where are the others?” I yelled as I raced toward the outside buildings.
“I don’t know, boss. They were walking the back of the fence last time I saw them. Then Francesco wanted to see them,” Ralph answered.
Fucking Francesco. He was determined to have his way.
“Go check the perimeter,” I instructed, hearing other voices behind me. I raced around the side of the pool, constantly swinging the flashlight from one side to the other, fighting my way through the tropical plants. Then something caught my eye, a flash.
Then I heard a single muffled scream.
I took off running, shoving the flashlight in my pocket as I drew close to the fence. I came within ten feet when I realized she was being dragged over the top of the six-foot section. She noticed my approach and reached out, only to disappear seconds later.
As the sound of an engine sounded off to the left, I knew there was no time to waste. Injured shoulder or not, if I didn’t save her now, I wouldn’t be provided with a second opportunity. I took a step back, lunging toward the fence as I jumped, catching the top edge. As anguish tore through me, I hoisted myself up and over the top, dropping and immediately taking off running toward the forest of trees surrounding most of the property. There was one road behind the estate through the woods. While it was only half a mile, someone would need to know exactly what they were looking for to be able to find the house.
Now I hoped the darkness and horrific storm would stop their progress.
Panting, I concentrated on the sound of the rumbling engine as I threw myself over low shrubs and fallen limbs, ignoring the increasing pain in my shoulder. She yelped again, a sharp-pitched scream coming after that.
I slowed long enough to listen. She’d broken free. I could sense her racing in my direction. I picked up speed, yanking the light into my hands. Mixed with the sounds of nature, I heard several of the others behind me. There was no doubt time was running out.
The rain now blinding, I pitched myself over a massive limb, my eyes finally accustomed to the darkness yet I swung the beam around. The stream of light caught the actions of an assassin pitching himself on top of her. I bolted toward him, yanking him off then landing a hard kick to his chest.
“No!” Madisen screamed, immediately backing away.
I lunged toward the asshole, backhanding him across the face with the flashlight. Pitched several feet backward, he wasted no time getting to his feet, swinging his weapon in my direction. There was no thinking, no regret.
I leveled four bullets into his face, taking gasping breaths as I watched him fall.
“Danny!” Her scattered scream snapped me back to reality. I yanked the asshole’s weapon from the ground then raced toward her just as Gio, Francesco, and two of the other soldiers broke through the line of trees.
“Jesus Christ,” Gio huffed. “Are there more of them?”
“At minimum, there’s a driver. Get to the road and keep the fucker from going anywhere,” I pointed as I gathered her into my arms. “I want him alive!” When no one moved, I spun around to face Francesco. “Do as I say. Now.”
“Follow the man’s orders,” Francesco snapped at the two men when they still didn’t respond.
