“Thanks, Dylan. You’re a lifesaver.”
“Literally, I hope. Later, man.”
The line goes dead, and silence settles over the room, heavy and thick. Ryder’s stormy grey eyes scan the grid feeds with predatory focus, looking for anything out of place.
“Well,” Noia says, breaking the tension. “At least we have some of the best men on the lookout. Now, finish eating. You’re no good to anyone if you pass out from hunger.”
I huff out a humorless laugh and pick up my fork. She’s right. As I take another bite of enchilada, my eyes dart back to the screen, watching the footage of our empty homes, waiting for shadows I pray will never come.
Next to me, Sasha is quiet, picking at her food. I reach out and give her thigh another squeeze, needing the physical contact to remind myself she’s right here, safe with me.
Noia takes a sip of her wine before clearing her throat. “Have you heard from Ryan, Sash?”
“No. Last we checked, no one had heard from him for a few days.” She sets down her fork and reaches for her glass and takes a long sip before gently setting it back down. “Do you think they did something to him?”
“It’s possible they are holding onto him until they get what they need from you,” Ryder’s deep, gravely voice answers. He looks over at Noia. “We should all hit the hay. Get as much sleep as we can, just in case.”
“Good idea.” My voice sounds way more certain than I feel. “We’re not doing anyone any favors by staring at a screen until our eyes bleed.”
Ryder nods, closing the laptop just enough to keep the glow from being distracting, ready to be flipped open on a moments notice.
He stands, offering a hand to Noia, who looks worried. “We’ll be right upstairs if anything pings.”
“‘Night, guys,” Noia murmurs, giving Sasha’s shoulder a final, supportive squeeze before they head upstairs, Goonie trotting after them.
The silence left in their wake is broken only by the low hum of the refrigerator. When I look over at Sasha, she’s staring across the room. Even under the warm glow of the kitchen lights, her skin looks pale, eyes wide and haunted.
“Come on,” I murmur, standing us up so I can pull her into my arms. “Let’s get cleaned up. You’re shaking.”
She leans into me, her forehead resting against my chest. “I just want to wake up and for this to be over.”
“I know. Me too.”
We trudge down the hall to the cozy guest room. I walk straight into the attached bathroom to turn on the shower, waiting for the steam to fill the room.
A protective need to just be close to her consumes me as we strip off our clothes in silence.
Once we’re naked, I gently guide her under the spray, grab the soap and start lathering her skin. My hands move slowly over her curves, only with the intent to soothe. As I wash, my fingers linger on the marks I left behind from earlier, a visual reminder that she belongs to me and that I’ll never let anything happen to her.
When she leans back against my chest with a sigh, I wrap my arms around her, holding tight.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper against her neck. “Always.”
Clean and dry, we slide naked between the cool sheets, and I tuck her against my chest, spooning her close. Draping my arm over her waist, I rest my hand over her heart, letting its steady rhythm soothe me as it begins to slow.
I stare at the door, my ears straining for any sound that isn’t the wind through the trees outside, hoping for a peaceful night, waiting for a morning that can’t come soon enough.
I’m jerkedout of a restless sleep by the high-pitched, aggressive wail of my phone’s priority alert.
Beside me, Sasha bolts upright, a gasp catching in her throat. The room is still dark, save for the glow of my phone which is vibrating violently on the nightstand.
“Jax?” Eyes wide, her voice is trembling.
Snatching it up, I look down at the screen. “They’re in yourhouse,” I growl, throwing back the covers. My heart is a sledgehammer against my ribs, fueled by a cocktail of pure adrenaline and unadulterated rage.
I don’t bother looking for my jeans. Snatching a pair of grey sweatpants Ryder left on the chair for me only hours ago, I yank them on. Sasha is a blur of motion beside me, tugging on leggings and a T-shirt, her face a mask of pure determination.
We don’t say a word as we burst out of the bedroom and hurry down the hall. Just as we reach the kitchen, Ryder and Noia come rushing down the stairs.
