Page 60 of Let Me Protect You

Odd. Abby never misses a shift. I had thought her shift ended by the time I arrived, so I didn’t think much of it. She comes in early so she can make it to her early afternoon classes. Even during her midterms and finals, she came on her scheduled days. She might act like she doesn’t have a care in the world, but she’s one of the most responsible people I know.

“She didn’t come in at all today?”

The bell over the door rings, interrupting us, and we turn in unison. Sully marches inside, making a beeline directly to me. Sweat beads on his forehead, and he’s panting like he’s been running.

“What’s wrong?”

He ignores my question. “Look at this.” He shows me a text on his phone, and my heart plummets. Everything around us disappears except for the words on the screen.

Unknown Number

We have Harmony. Come alone or she’ll die before you even enter the building.

There’s another text with an address. It’s not even in the same town as the hotel. I ball my hands into fists at my sides. I should’ve fucking known they would’ve done a shitty job protecting Harmony. At least there’s one thing we know, as long as they aren’t bluffing, Harmony is still alive. But for how long?

I move toward the exit, dust kicking up in my wake. She needs me. I need her, and I never got to tell her how I feel. Nothing can happen to her. I have to get to her before … I can’t even finish my thought.

Sully follows me out the door. Snow cracks as I stomp down the sidewalk. There’s an invisible force pulling me to Harmony, and I’m not resisting it.

“They sent this to you?” I ask as we near my Honda.

“No, it’s meant for Victor.”

“And he didn’t tell me?” I ground out before I yank open my driver’s door.

We both climb inside, and I swing my head up to finally look at Sully. His entire body is shaking. Sure, he’s known Harmony for most of her life and she worked for him, but why does he look so scared? He has always been the most level-headed man I’ve known.

“That’s why I’m here. Harmony hired me and my company, not you, so you need to remain calm and be happy that I’m coming to you.”

I bite my tongue at his retort because he’s right. Sully is in charge of Harmony’s protection. I’m not even her bodyguard anymore. I let out a harsh laugh. I dropped my guard because we supposedly had the best bodyguards hired by a rich man. And the moment I left her in their care, everything went to shit.

Something about the text doesn’t sit right with me, so I ask, “Why would someone threaten Harmony in order to get Victor to go?”

“I’m not sure, Son.”

I grind my molars. Did he have no information except for what’s in those messages?

The car rumbles to life as I turn the ignition. “Let’s go meet up with Victor and make a plan from there.”

“But what about—”

“I don’t give a shit what they say. I’m going to go get her back.”

I pull out my phone and dial John. He’s always been my backup, and I know he’ll come when he hears my battle cry.

***

Every second of the short car ride feels like an eternity when I’m not sure if Harmony is hurt. They could be toying with her, twisting her mind until she’s not sure what’s up or down. Suddenly, my vehicle doesn’t feel big enough, like it’s closing in around me. I suck in a breath, but my lungs still have no oxygen. Tugging at the collar of my shirt doesn’t help either.

I drum my fingers on the steering wheel, and Sully is eerily quiet. He brushes the back of his hand across his forehead to wipe off the sheen of sweat still covering his face.

“Do you think she’s okay?” Sully’s voice slices through the silent car.

I nod. “For some reason, they’re using her as leverage against Victor. She’s safe for a little while at least.” But will we get her out in time? My knuckles turn white as I grip the steering wheel harder. “Victor never gave me any information. I feel there’s a lot he hasn’t told us.”

Sully mumbles something under his breath that sounds a lot like, “I never got to tell her.”

Tell her what?