“Then, let’s load them up and Patch can ride with you. I’m calling one of my contacts to pick up these assholes,” Leo said.
“Rebecca killed one of the men. There’s a second one upstairs shot. I’ll grab his phone and download the data before we leave,” Julio informed Leo.
“Stay here,” Rebecca told Kara. “I’ll be right back.”
She followed Julio up the stairs, pulling the blanket tighter around her. They entered the room to find Jim where they left him and Mr. Presley missing. The feel of cold steel against her temple made her freeze as Julio turned around and pointed his gun.
“Put your weapon down,” Mr. Presley ordered weakly. “I’ll kill her.”
“You won’t live long after,” Julio threatened. “Let her go. If you cooperate and tell us the names of your contacts, we can make your life easier.”
“There’s not a place in this world where they can’t find you,” Mr. Presley spat.
Rebecca stomped on his foot and elbowed him as Julio rushed toward them. They struggled for the gun, moving across the room. Julio punched him in the gut, and Mr. Presley laughed. Rebecca saw the bulletproof vest under his shirt. She only managed to knock the wind out of him. Julio struck his jaw, making Mr. Presley stumble and fall into the fireplace. Julio and Rebecca rushed forward, dragging the heavy blanket from the bed to smother the fire.
The suit went up in flames, and the man panicked, trying to run. The curtains caught the sparks and the entire room filled with smoke and burning skin. The heat burned her eyesas she watched in horror as Mr. Presley screamed in pain. Julio tried to put out the fire, but it seemed like the flame took on a personality of its own. Mr. Presley fell to the ground as his movements slowed. Julio grabbed Rebecca. “We have to get out of here.”
“Fire,” he yelled as they descended the stairs. The men moved the women outside as the suspects begged and pleaded to go first. The team ignored them, taking all the victims out first and driving the van full of kids away from the structure.
Ragu pulled another van around with Jameson driving another one behind him. Rebecca helped to put the women in the vehicles until Julio stopped her. “Get inside with Kara,” he said, helping her slide across the seat, making room for the teen.
The women watched as the flames engulfed the house within minutes. The team pulled out the remaining people, setting them right outside the line of the flame.
Julio entered the van. “Let’s head to the airport.”
As the vehicle moved, they watched the flames grow higher.
The van grew quiet as they drove to the private airfield. Three jets sat on the runway, waiting for them. Rebecca helped load the ladies on the first plane. They gazed at her with fear and anxiety, not understanding where they planned to take them.
“I know you’re all scared. I’m vouching for the men who helped rescue you. They’re taking us for medical help and then flying us to a secret location, where you can heal, reunite with your families, and start over,” Rebecca addressed them. “I’ll be on the next plane, right behind you. My friends will take care of you,” she assured them.
She deboarded the plane and saw Kara standing alone. The teen peered at her through teary eyes. “I’m scared,” she whispered.
“I know,” Rebecca pulled her close. “Why don’t you ride with me?”
Julio followed them up while Patch grabbed more supplies from the back. “I’m taking Taco with me. I figured they can’t be scared of a man who can tell them which hair products and skin care routines work the best. It’s good to see you again, Rebecca.”
“Thanks,” she said, leading Kara to one of the seats beside the window. “Have you ever flown on a plane?”
“No,” she whispered. “If I did, I spent the flight knocked out and didn’t know.”
“It’s pretty at night to see the ground lit up with lights,” Rebecca told her, accepting a blanket and pillow from Julio. “It’s a long flight. Watch when we go up and then take a nap. I’ll wake you when we land.”
“Will you sit here with me?” Kara asked, glancing at Julio.
“We’ll sit with you for a bit. I need to give them a description of Megan and all the locations they sent us to. It’ll help us find Ebony and the others,” Rebecca reassured her.
Kara buckled her seat belt. Julio passed them a basket loaded with snacks, fruit, and water. “I’m sure the Serenity women will have meals galore waiting for us, but I thought you might like a snack first,” Julio said, offering Kara first choice. Her eyes grew big as she hesitated to take anything from him.
“You can have as many as you want,” he encouraged.
Rebecca leaned over and grabbed an apple and a candy bar. “I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of water. Do you have any soda? I need something to wash this baby down with.”
Julio returned with a selection of sodas from the fridge. Rebecca popped the can open, took a long gulp, and sighed.
“It’s as good as I remembered. What do you want?” she asked, handing her the basket.
“Can I have the chips and a candy bar?” Kara asked, peering at Rebecca and then Julio.
