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“I have her in sight,” Dalton answers minutes later. “She’s been roughed up…but mostly she just looks pissed.” I can’t help smiling. That’s my girl! I think to myself. Stay angry, baby. Keep fighting until we can get you free.
It’s been several minutes since Dalton radioed he had Marley in sight. My head and arms are beginning to hurt, and I realize I’m gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles are white. I force myself to relax, but it doesn’t last long. I’m grinding my teeth. My whole body is tight with anticipation and fear. Marley has to live. I can’t go on without her.
“I have secured Shelby,” Bo announces over the comms, unexpectedly. “Jones and his accomplices are incapacitated. Shelby is strapped with a device. I need Dalton over here to disarm it.” I can hear soft sobbing in the background as Bo whispers words of comfort.
“No can do, brother,” Dalton replies. “Enos and I are headed to free Marley. The men who took her under the boardwalk have all just left, but I haven’t seen any sign of Kristen. I can’t allow Enos to go in there alone. Is there a timer on it anywhere?”
“No, no timer,” Bo answers quickly. “I think it’s remote detonated according to what Shelby overheard the men saying. The men who have Marley have been trying to contact Jones. I’ve pretended to be him, but I’m certain they are suspicious and are likely heading this way to check on him, or they are leaving to set off the devices.” My gut tightens at his words. I could lose my love and my brothers if that happens.
I raise my binoculars, scanning the people on the street, looking for any signs of the men who might be fleeing the scene, but everyone seems calm, relaxed. I feel so helpless sitting in this truck, unable to do anything to help free Marley and Shelby. “Bo, you have incoming,” Kelvin calls over the comm. “Matthew, Jason, and I have your six. Just keep Shelby out of the way.”
“Understood,” Bo replies. Several tense minutes later, Kelvin reports, all the men have been detained. I pull out my phone and contact Agent Morris. He has gathered a few men that he trustsso once we have the terrorists secured, he will come in and make the arrests.
“Jim, we have the women and their captors in custody,” I inform him as soon as he answers. “However, both women are both strapped with explosive devices. My team is working to disarm them as we speak, but it would be prudent to evacuate the area.”
“All right Luke,” Agent Morris responds. “We have a contingency plan in place, a problem with the fireworks display. I’ll put it in motion.”
In moments, dozens of police cars descend on the area and begin to evacuate the pedestrians along the street and beach between the two boardwalks where the women are being held. It’s a controlled chaotic situation, but the officers are handling it well. I have an excellent view of all the activity from my vehicle. I still haven’t seen Marley or Shelby. I know my brothers are working to disarm the devices that have been placed on them, but not knowing what’s happening in real time is pushing my nerves to the limit.
“Any updates on the women?” I ask over the comm when I can’t take it a second longer.
“I’ve traced all the wires on Marley’s device,” Dalton answers. “I feel confident I can disarm it without difficulty. However, to err on the side of caution, I will wait until evacuations are complete. Then I can move to look at Shelby’s device.”
“Take your time,” I reply. “Be certain.” I don’t say anymore. Dalton knows what I’m not saying. Don’t rush this and get yourself and Marley killed. Time seems to crawl while I wait to hear more from Dalton. Minutes later, Enos emerges from the crowds of people rushing from the scene. He has a hold on Kristen’s upper arm, dragging her across the street toward where I’m parked. Anger hot and heavy fills me as I stare at the woman who helped put Marley in this situation. She should be arrested, too.
“Dalton is with Marley,” Enos says by way of greeting when they reach my location. He glances at me. “I guess you heard.”
“Yeah, I heard,” I retort. “What’s she doing here?” I gesture toward Kristen. “Why isn’t she in handcuffs with the rest of them?” I can’t keep the anger out of my voice. Kristen flinches when my voice raises with the last question.
“I’m handling it,” Enos growls. I glare at him, seeing determination in his eyes. He feels something for Kristen. I don’t like it. She’s a liar, and she betrayed all of us by helping the Brotherhood abduct two women. Enos knows this, so why is he basically defending her? I know my brother. He might be the youngest of us, but he’s always had sound judgement. I sigh heavily knowing I have to trust that he knows what he’s doing, but I still feel the need to make sure he understands my position on things.
“Make sure you do,” I growl. “Marley and Shelby are in this situation because of her!” I jab my thumb in Kristen’s direction. I’m surprised to see the shame on her face, which I’m just noticing is badly bruised under all the makeup. Perhaps I’ve misjudged Kristen and her motivations in all of this. Enos steps in front of Kristen in a protective stance.
“I’m taking Kristen to FBI headquarters,” Enos announces. Shock fills Kristen’s face, and all the color leaves it. Her mouth falling open creating an O-shape. “I’m hoping if she’s willing to cooperate” —he glances over his shoulder at her— “they will go easier on her. Maybe she won’t have to spend the rest of her life in prison.” Kristen’s eyes are wide as she stares at Enos.
“Why would you help me?” Kristen whispers. Enos turns to her, his hardened angry face softening a little as he looks down at her.
“Because I don’t think you’re the awful person you’ve led us to believe that you are,” Enos answers much more calmly than his face appears. “Are you, Kristen? Are you some spoiled, entitled bitch?” She flinches at the name. Her cheeks reddening at the insult. After a moment, she squares her shoulders.
“I have been an awful bitch,” she agrees. “But I am sorry for it. I didn’t know what my brother and these men were planning. I swear I didn’t know.” She turns to look at me, tears fill her eyes, but they have no effect on me. “It’s true. I didn’t like Marley, and I was trying to get in good with you, because it’s what my brother wanted me to do, but I never would have helped them take her if I’d known they were going to kill her and hundreds of other people. Please, believe me.” I stare into her eyes for a long time. I see nothing but sincerity in her words. Swallowing down a little of my pride, I answer her.
“I believe you.” She nods, tears falling down her face. She shakes with her sobs and Enos pulls her to him, holding her while she cries. I turn away, unable to watch him comfort the woman partially responsible for my Marley being held captive, beaten, and now fighting for her very life while Dalton tries to disarm a bomb strapped to her body.
“Dalton, update?” I question, desperately needing to know something, anything. Tense moments pass, then I hear the static before his reply.
“Ready to disarm Marley’s device,” Dalton states, no fear or tension to be heard in his voice. “Has the area been cleared?”
“Negative,” I reply. “Still several civilians in the vicinity. I’ll let you know when it’s a go.”
“Affirmative,” Dalton agrees. “She’s doing great, boss. Marley’s a real trooper. You will have her in your arms, soon.” I can’t respond for fear my men will hear the emotion in my voice if I try to speak. Another ten minutes pass before I’m able to give Dalton the all clear. It’s the longest ten minutes of my life.
“Area is clear,” I announce over comms. “Bo how are things at your location?”
“We are good here,” Bo answers immediately. “Just waiting our turn.”
“You’re clear to proceed, Dalton.” I wait impatiently for some response. Sooner than I would have expected, Dalton is askingRosco to come to the boardwalk. Another couple of minutes later, I see Rosco and Marley heading my way. I make my way out of my vehicle so that I’m on the ground when Marley gets to me. She launches herself into my arms, falling into my lap. It’s a damn good thing I’m sitting in my chair, because if I could stand on my legs, they would have given away at the relief flooding me.
“Oh Luke!” Marley cries as I hold her, kissing the top of her head, so thankful to have her back in my arms. “I thought I’d never see you again.” Marley is sobbing, huge tears soak my shirt.
