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“Yes. I don’t know if they noticed.” She shifted on the couch, then continued, “They said they’d call me when I had to open the rear patio doors. They’d heard your instructions to your men and planned to attack before you went back on duty.”
“Luckily, I couldn’t sleep,” Mason said. “Too stirred up by somebody.”
“No sweet dreams?” Kiera heard herself ask.
“Not yet.”
They shared a look that heated her clear through, but both sobered as they focused back on Sarah.
“They promised they wouldn’t hurt you, just threaten you so they could get a bunch of money. The police were doing nothing to rescue Drake, and my parents don’t have any money or contacts. I felt so desperate and afraid, and I couldn’t handle them hurting you or Drake.”
Sarah stared at her, her dark eyes red and her face crumpled with sorrow. “When you offered to have Sutton Smith help, I got so hopeful. I decided I wouldn’t do what they asked and I’d pray and pray that they wouldn’t hurt Drake, that somehow Sutton would find him and you’d be safe.”
Kiera and Mason exchanged a look. They waited.
“But then they called.” She started crying in earnest again. “A video chat again. The man told me if I didn’t go open the door right then, they would kill my brother. They started cutting his chest. They had him gagged then, but tears were running down Drake’s face and I could see how much it hurt and I knew they would kill him.” She took a breath. “I told them if I opened that door, they had to let Drake go and promise they wouldn’t hurt you. Well … you know what happened next.”
Kiera nodded. “It all worked out. Your prayers, you putting Drake first—you did exactly what you should have.” She paused. “But next time, find a way to tell me the truth. We have a lot of help with my family, our guards, and Sutton Smith’s ops.”
“I will,” Sarah promised. She shuddered. “I really hope there isn’t a next time.”
“Me too, friend. Me too.”
There were suddenly footsteps coming into the main floor above them. Lots of footsteps.
Mason leaped to his feet, drew his gun, and hurried to the door. Josiah didn’t move quite as fast—he had obviously been beaten up pretty good—but he hobbled to Mason’s side, pulled out his pistol, and took the other side of the door.
“It’s just Ray,” Kiera said, though she loved how protective Mason was.
“We’ll make certain of that.” Mason waited.
A rap came at the door. “Captain Henson?” Mueller’s voice. “The general is here and would like to see his sister.”
“Copy that.” Mason’s bearing became stiff. Was he dreading talking to Ray? Kiera wanted to take care of the mess for him but knew he was a man and a soldier and wanted to iron it out himself.
Mason cautiously opened the door, nodded to Mueller, and looked around.
“It’s secure, sir,” Mueller said.
“Thank you.” Mason holstered his gun, walked to Kiera, and offered his hand. “Time to face the music, or the general.”
She put her hand in his and he helped her up. “Can we do it together?”
He smiled. “No. I am a manly man who must fight my own battles.” His smile grew. “Though you did an incredible job of showing me up fighting tonight.”
“Thank you for acknowledging that but you fought brilliantly. I’ll let you do the talking, but let’s face this united.”
“Sounds like a smashing plan.” He held on to her hand as they ascended the steps together.
Ray rushed her, wrapping her up in a tight hug and lifting her off her feet. He was so huge he completely surrounded her. It was the complete opposite of how awful she’d felt when Mouth Guy had surrounded her with his arms earlier tonight. With Ray, it was safety and home and big brother protection.
“You’re all right?”
“Yes, big bro. I’m amazing. I’ve got Mason.” She reached for Mason’s hand, noticing half a dozen royal guards in the main area.
Mason saluted with his free hand. “Sir.”
Ray looked at their hands and his expression became severe. “Thank you for protecting her.” He looked around. “Let’s get back to the castle. A lot of people want to hug you, Wild Child.”
