AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ibrahim bolted upright in his seat. “You’re lying in hopes I’ll let you go.”
“I’m not.” From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of my purse on the floor behind his chair. My only chance was to overpower Ibrahim and grab my phone or ... holy crap. Zoe, Dani, Sibyl, Isabel, and I had loaded the life360 app on our phones, so we could track each other’s whereabouts if there were ever an emergency. It would only be a matter of time before someone found me.
As soon as the thought had formed, dread replaced it. The only way they would find me is if there were any internet. From the looks of it, I was in the basement of an old house. I doubted I had a signal. My hope dwindled into almost nothing. If I wanted to live, I had to figure out a plan, and fast. If Cole was gone and Ibrahim’s boss couldn’t get to him, then they wouldn’t have any use for me. I was disposable.
A thin ray of light peeked through the crack around a door that led outside. It was apparently still daylight outside. Somehow, I had to figure out how to get the fuck out of here in one piece. I only had seconds to hurt Ibrahim before he shot me.
Tilting my head to the side, I stretched my neck, releasing a kink in my muscles. I needed a clear my mind in order to think this through. It would only take one mistake before I died.
Ibrahim paced the room with his hands behind his back, clearly stressed. Cole had really fucked up this time, and even though I didn’t know who Ibrahim’s boss was, if I could get out of here, I could at least turn Ibrahim in.
I stretched my legs in front of me, finally realizing they weren’t tied to the chair like my wrists were. I flexed and pointed my toes, hoping to encourage more blood flow.
Ibrahim turned to me. “I’ll wait for my boss to decide, but I think your luck just ran out today, Shae.” He smirked, then approached me and began to undo his pants. Bile churned in my gut, then swam up to my throat. Ibrahim pulled his dick out and laughed. “One more for old times’ sake, shall we?”
A loud crack sounded, and I jumped as the door flung open.Oh, shit. My time was officially up.I was about to die. I mentally sent my love to Daddy, Julia, and my friends, but Cole could rot in hell. My pulse pounded in my ears as I held my breath and waited for Ibrahim’s boss to stroll into the room.
ChapterFifteen
Iflinched and screamed as flashes of light and loud pops echoed through the room. The next several seconds played out in slow motion. Ibrahim jumped away from me, but before he could dive for his gun on the floor, he flew through the air, his head exploding. Blood and brain matter splattered all over me, and I shrieked on repeat until my stomach revolted. Vomit shot out of my mouth, landing noisily at my feet. Muffled voices filled the area, and I looked up, trying to understand the events that had just changed my life.
Bleary-eyed, I struggled to hear what everyone was saying. The shots had been so loud my ears were ringing. Strong hands cupped my face while another set tugged on the ropes that bound me to the chair.
Masculine arms scooped me out of the seat and carried me to the door bridal style. Several men stared at me as we passed them. My head lolled to the side, and my arm hung down, swinging with every step the person took. The noise blocking my hearing began to settle down, and familiar voices started to break through the fog in my brain. I was placed on the bed of a truck, the black liner warming the back of my legs. Glancing around, I focused on the abundance of trees, then on an old beat-up house. From what I could tell, I was in the middle of nowhere.
“Shae! Shae! Goddammit, what did he do to you?”
A mixture of confusion and relief flooded me as my vision blurred in and out, pinpointing the man in front of me. “Cole?” I wasn’t sure I’d spoken his name, nor was I convinced that I wasn’t hallucinating. At this point, anything was possible.
“Shae,” Cole gently squeezed my shoulders, helping me focus on his blue eyes and blonde hair. “Baby, talk to me.”
I’d never seen Cole Parker scared about anything in the four years I’d known him. But at this moment, fear twisted his handsome features as he looked at me, his chest heaving.
“She might not be able to hear you very well, man.” King gripped Cole’s shoulder. “The shots were loud in there.”
Cole glanced up at his uncle, refusing to let me go. “Let’s get her home.”
“Daddy,” I finally managed to whisper.
“Baby, can you understand me? It’s Cole.”
I nodded, placing my hand on his. “You came back.” Tears of gratitude slipped down my cheeks. I’d never been happier in my life to see him.
“I shouldn’t have ever fucking left you. Let’s get out of here. After I help you clean up, I’ll call Samuel. He doesn’t know that Ibrahim kidnapped you.” Cole lifted me off the truck bed and carried me to the front seat. He gently set me down and buckled me in. When he started to shut the door, my arm shot out, visibly trembling. “Don’t leave me.” My chin wobbled.
Cole rubbed the back of his neck, perplexed. “I’m not going anywhere. I just need to drive, Shae.”
Words failed me as I shook my head, my body shaking so hard I was worried I would be sick again.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Cole unbuckled my seatbelt and helped me out of the vehicle. “Take a few deep breaths. I’m right here. I’ll have one of the guys drive so I can hold you. Would that be better?” He smoothed my hair. “Shae, Ibrahim is dead. I had a wide-open shot, and I took that fucker out. He can’t ever hurt you again.”
I stared at him, the brain splatter still on my skin and clothes. Cole also had remnants of Ibrahim on his shirt and arms from carrying me. Apparently, blood and brains didn’t bother him much. Maybe that should upset me, but I couldn’t have cared less. If it weren’t for Cole, I would most likely be the dead one.
Realizing that I needed to tell Cole some important information, I swallowed, my throat raw from screaming. “He has a boss. Ibrahim was hired to spy on our family and eventually get to you. I don’t know any more, though. We’re not out of danger, Cole. Daddy and Julia need to know right now. I’m not sure the bodyguard is there yet.” How I was able to relay all of that to him, I wasn’t sure, but I was scared shitless that if Ibrahim got to me, Daddy and Julia might be next. Whoever was after Cole was using the people he loved to break him. Somehow, I had to be stronger than his enemy.
“Taco!” Cole yelled.
I jumped and scrambled backward, stumbling over a rock that jutted up from the ground. Cole grabbed my arm and stabilized me before I landed on my ass.
