He could hear voices, barely able to make out what Cetro and Olivia were saying. A silent breath of relief escaped at the sound of her blessed voice.
She’d just said something about looking into a mirror. Her voice was strained and weak. Jake knew she was hurting, but—Thank you God!—at least she was still alive.
I’m coming sweetheart. Just a few seconds longer. I’m almost there.
He made his way around to the backside of the barn, where he silently moved through the opened doorway. Calling upon his years of training, he efficiently assessed the scene before him.
Cetro was standing in the middle of the barn’s open space. Olivia hanging by her wrists in front of him.Don’t fucking think about that now. Just get the job done.
The man had a fist full of Olivia’s hair and a knife to her throat. He was leaning down, talking in her ear.
Silently, Jake made his way toward them, his mouth twisted in a feral smile as he heard the other man mention his name.
“Where is your hero now, hmm? Where is your precious Jake, just when you need him most of all?”
In a voice he barely recognized, Jake growled the last words Javier Cetro would ever hear. “I’m right here, you sick fuck!”
The man’s intake of air was sharp and sudden, but Jake gave him no time for further reaction. Swiftly securing the hand with the knife, he bent it back until he heard a snap, forcing the bastard to release the weapon. Cetro howled with pain.
Before the blade even hit the ground, Jake moved both hands up—one below Cetro’s chin, the other grabbing the top of the bastard’s head.
In one quick, sharp movement, Jake pushed up on Cetro’s chin and twisted his head to the side. The satisfying crunch of bones was music to Jake’s ears.
Jake let the asshole’s lifeless body fall to the ground.
“I’m here, Liv! Please hold on, baby!”
Pulling his K-Bar from its sheath, he began sawing the thick ropes binding Olivia’s raw wrists. “Ah, God, baby. I’m here, now.”
Her head hung low against her chest, and she wasn’t moving. Jake hadn’t heard her make a sound since he’d slipped into the barn. Blood covered her back. The sight of those wounds alone was enough to bring him to his knees.
Jake had to work harder than ever before to remain focused on the task at hand. If he didn’t, if he thought about what that monster had done to her, he’d go fucking insane. Allowing that to happen wouldn’t help Liv, so with trembling hands, he continued working to free her.
“Jesus,” he heard Trevor say as he entered the barn from the front, gun drawn. “Ah, Christ, Jake.”
The agony in his friend’s voice nearly tore him apart. “Help me get her down!” The panic in Jake’s voice pushing Trevor’s shocked form into gear.
The two men worked together to get her free. Trevor gently wrapped his arms around Olivia’s hips and hoisted her up higher, making it easier for Jake to cut through the final strands of rope.
Olivia’s arms fell limply to her sides, and her body dropped toward Trevor. He started to lay her down, but Jake shook his head in protest.
“Her back,” he said, his voice cracking. “Let’s take her outside.”
Carefully, they transferred her into Jake’s arms. Holding her tightly, he ran out of the barn as fast as he could, past the video camera he couldn’t think about just then.
Trevor ran past him, sprinting to Derek’s truck as he updated the team through his com. Jake didn’t hear much of what was said, focusing instead on the precious cargo in his arms. Trev returned a minute later with a blanket in his hands.
He spread it out hastily, and Jake fell to his knees before gently laying Olivia down. He was unable to avoid the injuries on her back, but at least the blanket was clean, unlike the ground.
Jake reached over to check for a pulse, but when he saw the nick from Cetro’s knife on her throat and realized just how close to death she had come, his hands began to shake too fiercely to try.
“Let me,” Trevor said beside him.
Jake pulled his hand back and held his breath, praying she was still alive. He thought he’d seen her chest move to draw air, but his head was so fucked up right now, he didn’t know if she had actually taken a breath, or if his mind was only seeing what it wanted to.
“She’s got a pulse,” Trevor said excitedly.
Jake’s relief was so staggering, he’d have fallen to his knees if he weren’t already on them.
