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“Can’t we just call the police?” I ask, my voice hollow as I contemplate the almost insurmountable task in front of us. Julian has an endless amount of money and he could stop us no matter what we try to do. Plus, we still have no clue what’s really going on.

“We have, Sweets. We’ve talked to Rodriguez, a detective we work with, but until your sister is ready to leave, there’s nothing they can do. They aren’t going to drag her out of there just on our word.”

Sighing, I rub my temples. I can feel a headache coming on already. “But they could go there and she’ll tell them that she wants to leave.”

“Would she?” he asks, his gaze softening as he stares up at me. “With Julian staring at her, will she be able to tell the truth and get herself out? Asking for help and actually walking out the door are two very different things. I hate that these fuckers have so much power over their victims but until she’s gathered the courage to walk out the door, nothing we do will matter.”

A tear slips down my cheek and I swipe it away before wrapping my arms around my waist. “There has to be something more we can do. I can’t just leave her over there on her own.”

“You haven’t, sweetheart. Rosie gave her the phone and she knows help is here as soon as she’s ready to go. She knows you’re doing everything you can to save her.”

“Am I, though? Maybe I should just go over there and refuse to leave until he sends her out.”

He tenses, his gaze hardening. “You will not. I’m willing to do just about anything to get your sister back, Carly, but you will not put yourself in that kind of danger. It’s not an option.”

“Don’t think you can tell me what to do. If I want to go over there, I will,” I snap, meeting his glare and he slips his hand into my hair and pulls me forward until my forehead presses against his.

“I fucking love you and I wouldn’t survive losing you so please don’t fight me on this,” he whispers and the agony in his voice breaks me. I understand because I couldn’t lose him either. It would destroy me.

“This is torture,” I whisper, my voice cracking as more tears build in my eyes. His eyes soften again and he rubs his hands up and down my arms before leaning in and kissing my forehead.

“I know, babe, but you’ve just got to have a little faith right now.”

I wilt in his lap. “I can’t.”

“You can and when you can’t, I’ll help you. I’ve got you, Princess. Always.”