I glance at him in confusion and then remember he has her location so he must’ve followed it the same way I did.
“Let me,” he says. “She was my responsibility.”
Before I can argue, he pulls the lever up and swings the door open. We all point our guns, ready to shoot, only we’re met with silence.
I click the flashlight on my phone and there, sitting in the middle of the container, is none other than Dani. She’s tied to a chair, her mouth gagged, her eyes wide in fear.
I rush over to her while my men stand guard, making sure we’re protected.
“Fuck, baby,” I choke out when I notice she’s sporting a bloody lip.
I pull the rag out of her mouth, and she releases a sob of relief.
Using my pocketknife, I cut off the rope to release her hands and then feet, and then I lift her into my arms, hugging her tightly and inhaling her sweet scent. She recently switched to her own body wash, and while I miss my scent on her, the smell of vanilla and Dani is just as addictive.
“Are you okay?” I murmur.
“Yes,” she cries. “They didn’t do anything to me.”
I pull back and run my thumb across her bloody lip.
“Well, she punched me once,” she says, “knocking me out, but that was it.”
Wait … did she just say …
“She?”
“I couldn’t see her, and she was dressed like the rest of them—in all black and combat boots with a black ski mask—but something about the way she held herself … I don’t know. She just felt like a woman.”
Interesting …
“Let’s get you out of here,” I tell her, carrying her out of the container.
“Wait, my phone,” she says, nodding back toward the chair.
I was too focused on her that I didn’t notice it was left right under her fucking chair.
Scotty grabs it, and we take off. Since the SUV is full, Dani and I ride with Ian back to our place while the other guys stay to try and gather any info they can.
When Bosco texts, letting me know they caught two of the guys running off—one was shot and killed, but the other is still alive, barely—I tell him to keep him alive until I can get there to question him and then let Ian know there’s been a change of plans.
“We’re going to your brother’s?” Dani asks, snuggled into my side.
“Yeah, they caught one of the guys, and I need to question him before he bleeds out. And I’m not ready to leave you alone yet. I know you’ll be safe at my brother’s.”
She nods in understanding and snuggles closer to me.
She’s quiet for a few minutes, and I assume she fell asleep, until she mutters, “I’m sorry, Ian.”
His eyes meet mine, his brows furrowed in confusion. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Daniella. I’m sorry for not protecting you.”
“It was my fault,” she says with a sniffle. “I walked out of the bathroom and?—”
“It’s nobody’s fault.” I kiss the top of her head. “Whoever did this knew what they were doing. They came there with the intent to take you to send a message. But until we figure this out, you can’t go anywhere alone, and I’m adding another guard.”
She nods against my chest.
When we get to Dominick’s house, Peyton and Bri run over to Dani to hug her, asking if she’s okay.
