He hung up without saying goodbye and strode to the man with the buzz cut and biceps as thick as steel posts.
“Let’s get your ass home, Zee.We’ll find her.”
Gabe Arthur pulled him in for a bear hug, thumping him on the back.
The big man pulled away and herded him to a waiting SUV, opened the passenger door for him.
His vision blurred, his throat a big lump.
Gabe got in, started the car and kept silent, thankfully, because if his friend said another word, Zee knew he’d lose it.
He’d do whatever it took, even if it meant burning everything he loved to the ground to get Ella back home with him where she belonged.
19 ELLA
Rollingwavesofterrorcrashing through her limbs, causing her to hyperventalie.
She willed her body to move but it’s like something had taken over her limbs, and she couldn’t get off the floor.
The grip of an unfamiliar arm grabbing her from behind felt like it was embedded in her skin and she couldn’t shake it off.
The memory made her stomach lurch.
She tried to kick, to get away but her captor was stronger and before she could get away, she was thrown into a vehicle.
Something sharp pierced her skin.
Did she cry out?
No audible scream left her lips but the echo of a vibration.
And then the vehicle stopped.
Rough, cold hands lifted her out; she thought there were stairs and then she was tossed on something soft, a lumpy bed.
“How come he got everything?Stupid motherfucker is going to realize that he can’t have it all after all,” the voice rasped.
Her injured shoulder burned, scorching her skin.
It felt like the bone had broken out of her skin, slicing out of her.
Zee.
A cold hand on her arm wrenched her back.
“Shush, you must be quiet.Here, this will make you better.”
Her bottom lip was tugged down, something slipped into her mouth.
Saliva immediately foamed, throwing her into a coughing fit.
Her throat constricted, she felt like she couldn't breath.
“No, you’re fine!”Arms grabbed her, pulling her up, twisting her shoulders so hard she screamed in pain.
But the panic subsided.
Her fear dulled, and she giggled.
