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“Still working on it, babe. We are all working on checking for any sign of Finley, Storm, or the kidnappers.”
“I can help. My eyes aren’t broken.”
Jac nodded. “That’s a good idea. You ladies get your instructions from Charlotte.”
Kaden had gotten up to stretch, walking over to stand with Ivy who stood near Levi, their expressions a mix of concern and determination. “We’ll find them, Levi,” Ivy whispered, her hand resting on Kaden’s arm. She leaned into her husband, sharing a sympathetic look with him.
“Damn right we will,” Kaden agreed, his jaw set with resolve as he pulled his wife closer.
As though standing was wasting time they couldn’t afford to lose, Kaden kissed the top of Ivy’s head, firmly grasped Levi’s shoulder and nodded at Cash before returning to the computer. He shoved a small sandwich in his mouth on the way.
Jac sat heavily next to Levi. “It’s only been a few hours. It feels like years, but it hasn’t been. They can’t be too far from us and whoever it is wants money, which good because it means no one is getting hurt. We’re not giving up. Not until we bring them home.”
“I know,” said Levi. Jac turned to find and meet Cash’s eyes and nodded. Cash sighed and nodded to his boss.
“I know too. Doesn’t seem to help, but it’s all we’ve got right now.” He paused for a minute, sending an unspoken question to Levi.
Levi said, “Yes, it’s what you think it is between me and Finley. And Cash.”
Another pause and Jac nodded. “Okay, then.” He slapped Levi on the back and got up. His question was answered and restlessness plagued him again.
Chapter 7
“Jac, Levi, people,” Sharlee called out to the room as she approached the center of the room, holding her remote in her hand, her eyes mirroring the other’s determination. “We found something.” She stopped walking and directed everyone to watch the large monitor on the wall.
“Footage from the Gander’s nearby security camera,” she explained, holding up her tablet. “It’s not the best quality because they haven’t upgraded in years, but we managed to catch a glimpse of the kidnappers’ van.”
“Can you enhance it? Get a license plate or anything?” Levi asked, his voice tight with urgency.
“We’re working on it,” Sharlee assured him, her gaze never leaving the screen.
“Could this help us narrow down their location?” Garrett asked. “Any luck getting them on other cameras along the way?”
“Possible. Kaden is working on that.”
Mark said, “Several of us can look at video feeds on the streets surrounding. Do we have permission to do that?”
Sharlee shrugged. “Do we need any?” Her statement was clear. Didn’t matter.
“Keep me updated,” Levi said as he attempted to stand. He wasn’t quite able to hide his grimace. His frustration was nibbling at the edges of his resolve. “I need to be out there, searching.”
“Levi, you know we’re doing everything we can,” Garrett said, placing a hand on his shoulder and firmly pushing back down to his seat. “And you also know that you need to stay here. You have a concussion, man. As much as we’d like to let you out there, you and Sharlee are better here. Plus, we have no real direction yet and we don’t have any plan until we know where we’re going. We can’t have you going half-cocked and then make a mistake or worse.”
“Mistake?” Levi spat, his voice cracking with emotion and pain. “Like I did earlier? I know I fucked up, but I’m not sitting here when there is a job to do. Not while they are out there because I didn’t protect them well enough.”
Cash appeared out of nowhere. He was still keeping the house safe. Monitoring everyone on the premises and keeping a tab on the gate and cameras. It kept him busy. “Cut that shit out. Levi, we need you as up to speed as you can get, because Finley will need you when we get her back. I’m going to leave the three men here to help monitor the women and house behind, but I need you to do the backup. Just be on hand if we need you to cover bases with Sharlee. It’s a better use of our manpower.”
“I fucking hate this,” said Levi.
“Me too, my friend. Me too.”
“Trust us, Levi,” Callie urged, her eyes full of empathy. “We’ll find them.”
Sharlee appeared beside him, hugging Levi as he clenched his jaw. Tears threatened to spill over as he nodded in agreement. “We are almost there,” she whispered.
He turned away, staring out into the encroaching darkness. The shadows seemed to laugh at him, taunting him with their secrets and the unknown fate of those he held dear. His head was beginning to pound again and out of nowhere, Mallory appeared with more pain meds. Levi hesitated but took them when she encouraged him.
Cash sat next to Levi and stared at him before speaking. “Let me be the manpower for us today. You took a huge hit for the team, so staying here avoids us having to take care of you while we are going to get Storm and our girl.”
