Another hour of pulling and burning, and I manage to free myself. Did he do them like that on purpose? Was my father helping me? Or was it just an error on his part? I don’t have time to ponder it. I stare around the room, it’s empty and there’s nothing I can use as a weapon. Except the chair I was sitting on. I flip it over and quickly kick one of the heavy wooden legs, breaking it off. The door opens just as I pick it up, and a man steps through. His eyes widen when he sees that I’m free.
I swing before he can raise his gun, connecting with his head and sending him stumbling backwards. I hit him again and again, blood spattering across my face, until he lies unconsciously on the floor. I pick up his gun and tuck it into my pants, and then I rush out of the room and through the warehouse that, as far as I can tell, is empty. I dig around until I find a pair of keys and then I rush out the front door.
That’s when I hear a voice. I spin around and see a man standing just outside the door, glaring at me. I fumble quickly for my gun, praying I don’t kill him but in this moment, not caring if I do or not. I point it at his chest and shoot, sending him stumbling backwards. He hits the ground with a thud and makes a gurgled sound. I turn and run, not looking back.
I have to find Jagger.
If I don’t, he’s going to die.
17
I drive until I can find a phone, and I call Ava’s number, the only one I know off by heart. The moment she answers, I frantically tell her everything that has happened. She informs me that Angel is back and that he couldn’t find Jagger. Bull and Rusty are out looking. I demand that Angel gets on the phone and the moment he answers, I tell him everything I know.
“They’ve led him to the wharf,” I finish on a gasp. “They told him they have Maggie.”
“Fuck!” Angel barks. “Get here. Hurry.”
I hang up and get back into the truck, making it back to the apartment in a very short amount of time. Angel is out the front and the moment he sees me, he leaps into the car and hands me a gun before ordering me to drive.
“Tell me what’s happening?” I plead, my hands trembling.
“They’re leading him to the wharf, when he arrives, they’ll kill him.”
“Why would he go without all of you?” I ask, confused. “Why would he just leave and try to save her alone?”
“I don’t fuckin’ know,” Angel growls. “Your dad must have said something to convince him to come without backup.”
Dammit.
Dammit.
We drive to the wharf and the moment we arrive, Angel tells me where to go so we’re hidden. Then, we both slowly get out of the car. Angel instructs me to stay right here because it isn’t safe. After much arguing back and forth, I agree just to get him off my back. Then, he disappears. As soon as he’s gone, I pull the gun out I still have, and I tiptoe down to a line of trees and crouch behind them. I peer out and see a lineup of black cars down at the Wharf entrance.
It’s Manchez.
I crawl closer and I hear the sounds of more cars coming in.
God, please don’t be Jagger.
I’m just about to make a run for a line of shipping containers when a hand goes around my mouth from behind. I kick and struggle, but I can’t get out of the vice like grip. A voice fills my ears, and I shudder. It’s Manchez. “Did you honestly think you could outsmart me? Stupid girl.”
He crushes my mouth with his hand and drags me down towards the group of cars. I can only pray Angel notices. God, please notice. My father meets my frantic stare as he stands beside a black SUV, and his eyes widen. I kick and squirm, but a fist drives into my ribs so hard I’m sent down to my knees, gasping for air.
“You said you wouldn’t hurt her!” My father yells, trying to shove Manchez out of the way.
“Question me again, Kane, and I’ll blow your fuckin’ brains out.”
My father takes a step back, his eyes meet mine and he looks like for a moment, he’s sorry. I struggle for air, but mostly to keep calm and not give Manchez any further reason to hurt me. I’m not help if he hurts me. When I hear a car coming into the lot, terror explodes in my chest. Jagger. I see his car come into view and I know I have only seconds to come up with something or he’ll die.