Naomi
After practically pulling my arms out of their sockets, Joe settled a dark bag over my head and shoved me around until I was seated again. There was the rumble of a vehicle starting, and then we were on our way. I was hungry, thirsty, weak, and exhausted, and the bag over my head was warm and stuffy. I fought to stay awake, but kept slipping in and out of consciousness throughout the drive.
I had no idea how long we’d been on the road when we rolled to a stop and the engine cut off. I heard a van door sliding open, and then I was yanked into the cool night air. The bag was tugged from my head and fresh air filled my lungs, waking me up like a shot of espresso. Blinking to clear my vision, I took in my surroundings. We were facing one of Seattle’s many piers. The distant roar of the freeway was behind us and there was nobody else around.
“I’m hoping your brother fucks this up, so I can do whatever I want to you,” Joe said, tugging me forward as he pressed his pistol into my bruised side. After our call to Link, Joe had gotten a few more punches in on me, and I was feeling every one of them. It was almost time for the exchange and my shot at revenge on the asshole.
Hate and anger reinvigorated me as my gaze dropped to the weapon. It was a Glock with a silencer. Apparently Joe had plans of his own, because nobody put a silencer on a gun unless they intended to use it. Joe was probably going to try to double cross Link and kill us all. Dread filled my veins with ice as Joe followed my gaze and chuckled.
“I don’t think you’re as useless as you pretend to be, bitch,” he said, poking the Glock into my side.
Assuming I made it through the night, my side was going to be bruised tomorrow, along with my arms, face, and stomach.
My stomach.
The baby.
I couldn’t think about that now. I had to focus on putting one foot in front of the other, trying not to stumble as I struggled to keep up with the brutal pace Joe set. My shoulders were screaming at me when we made it to the concrete bench and he shoved me down hard on my ass. Gritting my teeth through the pain, I stared out at the water.
Eagle and Link would come for me. And when they did, we’d make Joe and his accomplices pay for everything they’d done. We’d wipe them from the face of the planet so they could never hurt anyone again. These thoughts kept me going as I waited.
Only… Eagle didn’t come.
Havoc walked beside Link who was carrying a stuffed duffel bag. As the two approached, it felt like my heart was shattering in my chest. I was so worried about the baby, I needed Eagle. I needed him to get me out of this and take me to the hospital. On the phone he’d said he was in it for the long haul, so where the fuck was he when I needed him the most?
I met Link’s gaze and saw barely contained rage as he looked me over. It had been hours since I’d seen my face in the bathroom mirror and I could only imagine how I looked.
“Does it make you feel like a fucking man to hit a woman?” Link asked my captors.
“If I find a woman, I’ll let you know,” Joe spat. “This bitch… she didn’t put up much of a fight. After everything Brass told me, I expected more. From you, too, Link. Hand over the money, you fuckin’ pussy.”
Link’s eyes narrowed. He cocked his head to the side and I could swear he recognized Joe, but he didn’t say shit about it. “As soon as you release Naomi.”
Joe chuckled. “Yeah, that’s not gonna happen until I’ve got that bag in my hand.” He raised his pistol to my head, and said, “Although, I’d be more than happy to put a bullet in the side of her pretty little face.”
“Let’s do it at the same time,” Link offered. “You pass me my sister as I hand you the bag.”
“Unzip it and show me the cash,” Joe ordered. “It better all be there.”
Link stopped and bent over to unzip the bag.
The pressure of the gun against my head disappeared as Brass shouted, “No!” and jumped in front of Joe.
A shot rang out.
Then three more shots.
Time stood still.
Brass and the third man were both down. Joe’s gun clattered against the wooden pier.
Havoc’s pistol was in his hand, but he had it trained on the third guy. No way could he have disabled Joe and taken out that guy that quickly.
Eagleishere!
The realization registered somewhere in my subconscious making my heart soar as I stepped through my hands, bringing my zip-tied wrists in front of me. Blood dripped from Joe’s hand and he shouted something unintelligible, looking down. He went for his pistol, but another shot rang through the air, taking out Joe’s knee. He fell to the ground as I grabbed his pistol.
“Nae,” Link said, his voice a warning.
