“We found tracks heading north,” the cop informed Ben just as Masterson turned off his motorcycle. “We have reason to believe…” He broke off when Masterson stomped toward him.
I caught Mila’s dad around the waist when he went to grab at the cop. “Take it easy. He was giving Ben details until you stormed over here.”
“He will fucking tell me everything he knows, or I’ll break his goddamn neck,” he snarled.
I shoved him back and got in his space. “You are going to calm the fuck down so I can find out where Mila is, or I will knock your ass out here and now.” I shoved him back again when he tried to go around me, and I knew he could have reached for his gun at any moment, but I was beyond caring. He was slowing down getting to Mila and Monroe, and I would put his ass in the ground before I let him cost us another minute. “I know this is driving you crazy. I’m barely holding on as it is. But you aren’t helping anyone, least of all your girls, by acting like a fucking animal right now.”
He inhaled deeply and slowly let it out. With a jerky nod, he let me know he was going to be calm, and I turned around to face the cop again. While I’d been dealing with the raging Angel, Dad had been listening to the cop finish telling Ben everything they knew.
Pocketing his phone, Dad faced us. “They have a lead on where they might have gone. I’m driving.” Dad looked at Masterson. “I think you should ride with us.”
“I can get there faster on the—”
“Faster doesn’t mean shit,” Dad told him. “You need to get there alive, man. I saw you driving earlier. You are just as wired as Lyric, and you were all over the place. Get in the vehicle. I’ll get you to your daughters in one piece.”
Chapter 22
Mila
My sister’s sobs pulled me back to reality.
“Mila,” she pleaded in a voice choked with tears and fear. “Mila, please wake up.”
I felt a slight sting to my cheek, and my lashes slowly started to lift. Moaning, I was finally able to focus on her face. “Mon?” I muttered, my head throbbing. “What’s wrong?”
But as soon as I saw her tearstained face, the pain and stark fear in her eyes, I remembered everything. I sat up and glanced around.
We were in a room I didn’t recognize. I was on a bed, but there were no pillows, blankets, or even a sheet on the mattress. The worn old
springs were biting into my legs and ass. The overhead light was on, showing me the rest of the space with ease, but other than the stained walls, there was nothing else in the room. No other furniture except the bed we were on, no windows, and a single door.
“You’ve been out for hours, I think,” Monroe said, her face twisting with discomfort as she shifted on her knees beside me.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, reaching out to touch a hand to her lower abdomen.
“I’m still cramping. And I checked once they left us alone in here. I’m spotting, but it’s not as bad as I thought.” She shifted again, trying to find a position where the springs didn’t dig into her flesh. “I was worried about you. I didn’t think you were ever going to wake up.”
“Did they try to hurt you while I was out?” I asked, glancing at the door. Other than the sound of our breathing, I didn’t hear anything outside the door.
“I think the guy who was driving wants to, but the other guy wouldn’t let him.” She wrapped her fingers around the medallion hanging from her necklace. “He’s not coming, is he?” she asked, her chin trembling. “He…He really did abandon me.”
I pulled her head to my chest and kissed her brow. “I’m sorry, Mon.”
“I was stupid to think we could make this work. He obviously got what he wanted from me. I was the one dumb enough to think it meant he actually loved me.” Scrubbing her hands angrily over her tear-streaked face, she lifted her head, determination filling her damp eyes. “We have to get out of here.”
“Right there with you, baby sis.” I stood slowly, testing the waters on if I was dizzy or not. When my vision stayed the same and I didn’t feel the earth tilt, I walked to the door and tried the handle.
Of course, it was locked. Pressing my ear to the door, I tried to listen for any activity on the other side. I didn’t hear anything, though, not even either of the men coughing.
“Have you heard anything while I was out?” I whispered to Monroe.
“No. The driver carried you in here, and the other guy made him leave. Then he shut the door, and I heard the lock click from the other side.”
I walked over to the opposite wall and pressed my ear to it, hoping to hear anything from outside. Straining my ears, I tried to listen for any sign that could tell us where we were. Running water, birds, the wind, or my biggest hope—traffic. But there was nothing.
Keeping my ear against the wall, I waited for a good ten minutes before I thought I heard the sound of a vehicle in the distance. As I stood there, the sound got louder, more distinct. Whoever it was, they were speeding like a bat out of hell and coming right toward us.
Moments later, the vehicle stopped, and I heard three doors slam shut. I pounded my fist against the wall. “Hey!” I shouted. “Hey, let us out of here!”