The second the chopper landed, Alex and the others jumped out and headed for the trees. The men had used the short ride to plan who would go to which cellars.
Garrett was the fastest runner of the four, so he offered to take the one farthest south, closest to the two-lane highway running parallel with the Saganashkee’s northern shore. Murphy headed for the cellar closest to their landing sight while Alex and Dan ran to find the hidden cellar believed to be farthest east.
According to Garrett’s map, the cellar they were in charge of searching was approximately a third of a mile from where they’d left the chopper.
Given that it was dark and they only had a small flashlight as their guide, it took some work and a lot of concentration to avoid tripping over roots or getting smacked in the face with leaves and limbs.
Ignoring the cold air moving in and out of his heaving chest, Alex prayed with every step he took. Not only did he pray they’d find the hidden structure, but that Eden would be in there. Alive and unharmed.
Seven minutes later, he got his answer.
“There it is.” Dan kept his voice at a low whisper.
Both men directed their lights to the small hill a few yards in front of them. Looking like something from one of those hobbit movies, Alex couldn’t help but be a little impressed that a structure built into the ground all those years ago was still standing.
Both he and Dan drew their weapons.
With a few hand movements and silent gestures, both Dan and Alex began to quietly approach the worn, wooden door. It had been over a decade since the two men had served together, but their training and teammate mentality was as fresh as if they were still active duty.
The first thing Alex noticed was the shiny, new padlock. Its top had been inserted into the metal clasp attached to the door’s frame. Whoever opened it last hadn’t secured it, which meant they were most likely still in there.
With his finger resting next to the trigger, he sent up one, final prayer before giving Dan the green light. Just as they’d been trained all those years ago, the two men opened the cellar door as quietly as they could and began making their way down the stone steps.
Eden’s strained voice traveled through the underground space and to Alex’s ears. His steps faltered when he heard it. The sound was echoed and muffled, but to him, it was as precious as if an angel had just spoken.
“I’m happy with my life, Josiah. I found someone who loves me just the way I am. Someone who supports my gift, rather than seeing it as something to be ashamed of. I no longer feel alone in this world. Read my mind, if you don’t believe me.”
She’s alive.
With a gentle touch to his shoulder, Dan checked to make sure he was okay. Giving his teammate a quick nod, Alex used his free hand to motion around the corner.
Eden was waiting for him there, and he’d be damned if he disappointed her.
The two men stopped again, the sound of flesh striking flesh sending Alex’s head snapping to attention.
He took a step forward, ready to charge in and end the bastard. Thankfully, Dan squeezed his arm to keep him from taking off and running into the unknown situation without a clear plan of action.
Keep it together, Bennett. Eden needs you.
As badly as he wanted to rush in and kill the bastard, Dan was right. He had to focus on this as a mission and ignore the tumultuous emotions burning inside his veins. If he let those rule his actions, he could very well cost Eden her life.
With a semi-clear head, Alex fought against every protective instinct he had and eased forward, inch by tortured inch, in order to get a good look at what they were up against.
“You’re lying!” Josiah accused loudly.
“No, Josiah. I’m not.”
When he heard the man hitting Eden again, Alex closed his eyes and tried like hell to maintain his control. With his breaths pumping in and out at a dangerously fast pace, his hand squeezed around his pistol, the force causing him physical pain.
“Stop.Lying!”
When he heard Eden’s low moan following what sounded like another punch to the face, Alex lost it. He refused to stand by another second while the woman he loved got beaten.
Without warning, he turned the corner, his and Dan’s trained footfalls silent as they made his way to where Eden lay.
“Who says I just got started?”
Alex committed Josiah’s whispered words to memory, knowing they’d need to be revisited later. Focused on getting the other man as far from Eden as he could, Alex continued covering the small distance between them until he was standing directly behind the fucker.
