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Easing through the barrier, I kept the door cracked as I made my way towards the room. Shoes were strewn everywhere. Clothes were torn off the hangers. There were shelves even broken in half as I got closer to the door.
Air filled my lungs as I took a slow breath. My hand was trembling as I gripped to the gun and stared ahead at the empty bed. From the light shining at the end of the comforter, I knew the hall light was on. It had me slowing as I eased my head through the threshold. A stranger’s voice had me jolting to a stop.
“I told you, I’m not leaving.”
I jerked back, spinning for the cracked door only to see it was closed. Footsteps were approaching loud and fast, and there was nowhere to go. If I tried to get the door open, I’d cause too much noise. It was heavy. I might not even succeed on my own.
Blood washed over my tongue as I bit my lip and molded myself to the inner wall just inside the opening. I kept the gun at chest height, trying to stop it from shaking in my grasp. If they came in, they’d see me, but not before I had the upper hand.
“Walk away. Ignore me. I’m not going anywhere.”
Footsteps stopped, only to surge right towards me. It all happened so fast. Darkness engulfed the entrance, and I was suddenly forcing the gun to the side of someone’s head. My heart was hitting my chest so hard, the pain was overwhelming.
“One move and I blow your fucking brains out.”
The broken-up breath barely registered as weight crashed down on the weapon and arms were locking around me. I screamed, going wild as the man’s words jumbled through the fright.
“You’re here? You’re alive?”
“Get off me!” I was twisting, fighting with everything I had. Light flooded the room, and Jase’s bloodshot eyes met mine.
“It’s me. Kody, it’s me. Oh, baby. God. Where have you been? I thought they took you. I thought—”
The tears were automatic. My arms shot around Jase’s neck as I tried to force myself to talk. To breathe.
“We w-were in the closet. With the guns. They got in, but they couldn’t find us. I thought you were them. I thought.”
“Guns? You managed to find and open the door? I didn’t tell you how. I was sure….” He paused; his breath ragged as he held me tighter and looked towards the back of the closet in disbelief.
“They got in, Jase. How’d they do that?”
“I don’t know.” His head shook, as he kept me trapped to him. “I don’t know. God, I thought I lost you. I thought—You’re okay? You’re not hurt?”
“No.” I sniffled, trying to swallow for the millionth time past the anxiety. “But I need water. I can’t…breathe. I.”
At my quick gasps, Jase, wrapped his arm around me, leading me into the room to sit on the side of the bed. There was a dark-haired man in a suit that screamed agent. He flipped the light on, putting up his hand as Jase went to turn.
“Take care of her. I’ll get the water.”
He gave a nod, turning back to me.
“Where’s Rian? Did you find him? Is he okay?”
The pants were coming so fast, I could barely stay focused enough to stay semi-calm. The shaking was getting worse, and I swayed at the light-headedness. I hated it. I hated that this was happening, and I had no control over it.
“Rush called me not long ago. Rian’s okay. He’s in the hospital.”
“Rush?”
“He’s okay too. He’ll be here soon.”
I nodded, reaching out as the agent came forward, holding a glass of water. Jase gave one shake, taking the glass instead to hold to my lips. I didn’t bother with sips. I greedily gulped it down, trying not to choke through the swallows.
“Tiffany. She’s asleep but she’s going to freak out if she wakes up and I’m gone. I have to get her.”
“I can—"
“No.” I pushed to my feet as the agent stopped. “She’s got a gun and she doesn’t know you. It has to be me. Even Jase might startle her. She’s rattled right now. We both are.”
