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It’s been four years since we began this endeavor, and not much has changed for any of us other than we’re ready to find our forever woman and settle down.
The second I saw Sol Titan’s image on Noble’s screen, I knew she was it. She was exactly what we’d been searching for, never knowing if we’d find her.
“East entrance of Central Park is where I lose her.” I say this in the vehicle as we pull up outside the building where her practice was being held. Reporters still hang around, same with her mother, which is shocking from what I understand of the woman. She’s a pit viper, only out for the good of herself. She has no feelings towards her daughter, and if Lorde could dig that little nugget up so quickly, I can only imagine what the rest of the world has been able to discover.
“What’s the game plan here?” Lorde asks as we remain in the vehicle. We don’t want anyone to know who we are or why we’re here just yet.
“Find the girl. See what she wants to do,” Noble clarifies.
“Ourgirl,” I correct him. Lorde smirks out a laugh, and Noble shakes his head. I have no doubt that she’s ours. There is nothing anyone can do or say to convince me otherwise.
Exiting the Escalade, reporters turn to us, but either our bulk or our fuck-off attitudes hold them at bay because no one approaches. Striding quickly down the street, the lights guiding our way, I can only imagine how terrified Sol must be alone at night. It’s not as well-lit in NYC’s largest park as it should be. Which means it’s easier for predators to hide than if she were out during the day.
From the matching scowls on Noble and Lorde’s faces, I can tell they’ve had the same thought. Picking up the pace, we jog into the park, only separating when the paths do. I keep going straight, Noble heads left, and Lorde veers right. Come hell or high water, we’re going to find this girl unharmed and in one piece, or it just might kill me.
She’s a precious little being, too good for the cold, brutal world that destroys beauties with innocence like hers. Flicking on my flashlight, I slow my pace so as not to miss somewhere she could be hiding and slowly make my way along the path. I’m hoping she hasn’t ventured off and into the darkness in search of somewhere to escape and hide, but it’s my biggest worry.
“Sol?” I call out, gentling my gruff voice. Sweeping one side of the path, then the other, I move unhurriedly, not wanting to miss anything. “You’re safe, Sol. You can come out.” A rustling a few feet off the path pauses me until I see a stray cat dart out of the bush, obviously having found something to chase as it moves stealthily across the grass.
Tapping the mic in my ear, I ask, “Anything?” The later we’re out here, the more likely it could become that someone finds and hurts her.
“Nothing,” Lorde grouches.
“Negative,” Noble relays.
Given the size of the surrounding area, the possibilities of something happening to her are endless. Which means finding her could take a day or more. We were simply hoping she’d be here, easy to spot.
“You think we’re going to have to call in help?” I ask the others as I pass a couple making out on a bench. After showing Sol’s picture to them, they confirm they haven’t seen her. I suspect it’s more they haven’t come up for air long enough to notice.
“We’re doing this,” Noble defends.
Subtle crying grabs my attention as he continues speaking, but I don’t hear a word of it. “Might have something,” I mutter as I move my flashlight a few feet off the path, where I notice a shape huddled up against a tree.
“Is it her?” Lorde asks, and I know he’s jogging now because I hear the puffs of breath in my ear.
“Send us your location,” Noble demands.
“Sol?” I call her name gently as I forward my GPS coordinates to my friends. Approaching the girl cautiously, I crouch down in front of her.
The wild mane of wavy red hair captures my attention. It’s like a flag summoning me over to her. “Are you hurt?” She doesn’t move. Her shivering body worries me, so I tug off my jacket and drape it over her legs, wanting to pull her into me instead, but not until she looks at me.
“Sol, I need to see your face.” She tenses. “Please,” I add on.
Her shoulders shake with another sob before she lifts her head just high enough for me to see her coral-green irises. As our eyes meet, it’s like being struck by lightning.
Shocking and painful.
But I’ve had this innate feeling since seeing her picture that she was ours, and this moment only solidifies it for me. “Are you hurt?” I ask again. Reaching out a hand, I place it comfortingly on her raised knee. Her head slowly shakes back and forth, bouncing her glorious hair. Tear tracks stain her cheeks as she licks her lips.
“Good, that’s good, little girl.” It slips out, and when I catch her eyes widen, I worry she’ll scamper away. “Can I help you up?” She stays in place. “My name is Duke Knight. Your father hired my firm to find and protect you.” She nods at my explanation but remains still.
Hearing pounding feet from behind, I glance over my shoulder to find Noble and Lorde headed our way. Standing to meet them, I keep an eye on the timid girl on the ground as she watches with unabashed fright.
My two best friends, men I trust more than anyone, can’t keep their eyes off her as they slow their approach. I know the feeling well. I want to look at her all the time. It has quickly become my favorite thing to do, but we need to get her out of here first.
* * *
Sol
