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“No!” I shout. My muscles tighten as I envision what would happen if they found her linked to the disappearance of their beloved detective. Jesse stares at me incredulously, mouth agape. In a quieter tone, I grit out, “Just…no cops. Okay? I need you to promise.” Jesse tries to argue but I cut him off again. “Promise me.” He watches me for a moment in shock. I’m sure I sound insane but there’s no way I’m involving any more law enforcement.
Finally, Jesse reluctantly agrees, shrugging his shoulders. “Alright. I promise. It’s going to make this a hell of a lot harder but if it’s what you want?” He leaves the question hanging in the air. I meet his gaze unwaveringly, causing him to sigh. “Okay, right. There’s another option, it’s gonna be tricky though cause we need to ge-”
My phone rings and I whip it out, tuning out Jesse’s words as the name flashes over the screen. I answer the call immediately. “Paige? Where are you?” I demand, wincing at my forceful tone. Every cell inside of me is screaming to go to her, to track her down and drag her back.
I may even chain her up again so she doesn’t disappear on me anymore.
Shaking my head, I return my attention to the woman who owns me, the one for whom I would do anything. I listen to her, relishing the sound of her voice.
She’s alive. She’s okay.
Paige whispers, “Mick, I’m scared.” Causing my blackened heart to shatter.
She shouldn’t be scared, I’m meant to protect her. Iwillprotect her.
I attempt to keep my voice soothing, battling against the murderous rage pulsing through me. “I know, baby. But don’t worry, I’m coming for you. Just be patient.” I hesitate then add, “And smart.”
Paige is silent for a moment before agreeing. I’m finally free of the debilitating fear that has consumed me since I read her texts.
My raven-haired beauty is alive. I will get her back, no matter where that fucker tries to take her. She is mine, and I will claim her once again.
“And Paige?”
“Yes?” She replies, her voice sounding distant.
Knowing she doesn’t have much time, I push all of my resolve and emotion into my next promise. “Remember, there is nowhere you can go that I won’t find you, little bird.” I end the call before she can reply, ready to get started on tracking her down. A smile stretches across my face knowing what I’m going to do to the prick who dared to take what is mine.
Jesse chuckles. “Damn.” I look over at him as he shakes his head. “You’ve got it bad, huh?”
“You have no idea.” I respond, shoving back the seat and rising to my feet. “What was your plan?”
“Oh, yeah.” Jesse clears his throat and rubs the back of his neck. “I was going to suggest Paige downloads a tracking app on her phone.”
I groan, knowing it’s a great idea, and one that I can’t do anything about now. “Shit. Okay, any other ideas?”
Jesse and I debate other options. He insists on ordering a pizza, claiming this could take a while and our brains will work better on a full stomach. I ignore him as he places the call, replaying the conversation with Paige in my brain over and over.
“Mick, I’m scared.”
Loops inside my mind, an agonizing accompaniment to my thundering heartbeats. I drop my head in my hands and tug against the strands of hair falling forward.
I’ll find you, little bird. Just hang on.
Forty minutes later, I hear the doorbell and curse.
Of course they would show up when Jesse went to take a piss.
Grumbling, I make my way toward the front door. I open the door and a lanky teenager tells me the total while juggling the large box in his hands. Pulling out some cash, I practically throw it at him. I have no idea how much money I just gave but by the brief glimpse of shock on his face, I’m betting he just received a significant tip.
Turning, I slam the door shut with my foot and head back toward the kitchen. I only make it a few steps before my phone starts to ring. Shuffling the box to one hand, I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone. “Hello?” No answer comes. Striding toward the island, I place down the food before speaking again. “Hello?” I repeat as I pull a slice out. My hand pauses midway to my mouth as a small sniffle comes through the line. I watch a piece of pepperoni slowly slip off my pizza slice and splat onto the counter.
Another sniffle and I hear Paige whimper. “Mick?” She whispers.
Her voice is so soft I almost don’t hear her as she says my name. My hand tightens around the phone, pressing hard against my ear. “Paige? What’s wrong?” Still unable to move, I can feel my blood pressure rising as the need to harm whoever has caused her to cry overpowers my senses.
“Seth. He…he-” Paige lets out a small cry and my vision clouds.
“He what?” I demand through gritted teeth.
