I cannot lose her.
I love this woman.
It’s taken this moment for me to realize it.Right at this moment, I see what’s truly important.
Her.
Reaching the van, I grip the side of the open door and leap inside.Oh, my fucking god.The world stops as I take in the scene.
Trinity is gagged and slumped in the corner crying.Her eyes are wide and terrified.
Caylee is,fuck me, sitting up and staring blankly as if in shock.Her top and bra are torn, exposing her breasts, her face lined with black tears.She has a bruise forming on one cheek.
Her face crumples when she sees me, and I drop to my knees.
“Jake!”Caylee screams.
“Baby,” my voice is rough as I catch her when she launches into my arms.She’s a dead weight, likely from being drugged, only the adrenaline and a low dose keeping them both awake.
Someone didn’t do their job properly.
Unless they wanted them conscious.
The urge to carry Caylee away from all of this like I’m Superman swooping in to save my heroine is all-consuming.
I glance over at Trinity and tell her she’s safe.“We’ve got you,”
She falls apart, so I reach over and pull the gag out of her mouth and reposition Caylee so I can comfort them both.
“You are safe.”I repeat, over and over.
“Oh god,” Caylee trembles, reaching out for Trinity, which is incredibly admirable under the circumstances.“It’s okay.Jake is here.We’re safe.”
The young girl drops her head and shakes uncontrollably as she cries.I’ve seen this before when I was with NCMEC.They don’t know who to trust or understand what is happening.
Not completely.
The sirens get louder and sound like they are right outside.I wonder if they are the units Reed briefed.Either way, we’re going to need Josh or Aidan to step in fast on this.We have two or three bodies on the ground and two kidnap victims.And somebody needs to knock on Brad Thornton's door.
I wanted to be there, but I glance down at Caylee and know there’s no way in hell I’m going anywhere.
“Ambulance will be here in ten,” Ryder says from behind me.
When I turn, he’s pocketing his weapon.Behind him, a couple of BHS guys stand on guard because until the cops take control of the crime scene this ongoing situation.Like Josh adhered to...with very dangerous people.
Liam walks over with a couple of cops.
“Give me your jacket,” I say to Ryder.He doesn’t hesitate, and I wrap it around Caylee, covering her up.
One cop leans into the van and takes in the situation.He introduces himself and starts asking us questions.As the situation becomes clearer, he asks me for my identification.
“US Marshal Murphy,” I advise.“Former.I’m with BHS now.”
“We’re familiar with the Black Hawke team.I’ll have my deputy go with you to the hospital.”He nods to the female police officer talking to Ryder.
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CAYLEE
