I found more boxes and dumped their contents as well. I fashioned a makeshift tent of sorts, covering Molly’s body as best I could. It wasn’t ideal, but at least her body heat wouldn’t escape as quickly.
“Where d-did you learn how to d-do this?” she asked.
“I’ve been w-watching a lot of nature documentaries lately.”
Molly curled her nose like it was the most preposterous thing she’d ever heard. I took this as a good sign. If she still had the energy to be her usual sassy self, then she was fairing a great deal better than I first thought.
Once I was sure Molly was covered, I stood up and aimlessly felt around for…anything. Possible items I could use as a weapon if someone came to drag us away. Maybe a light. Some sort of emergency lock release. Surely these things weren’t built without some kind of failsafe, right? What if some poor chef found themselves stuck in here like us? There had to be a way out of here.
I found a light switch on one of the furthest walls. Flicking it on turned out to be a mistake because now I knew there was no escaping this place.
The walk-in freezer must have been modified and had no emergency release. The door looked reinforced, only operational from the outside. Worse still were the traces of old blood on the floor from whatever poor victim was here before us.
My stomach lurched. I almost threw up.
“Okay,” I mumbled to myself. “Okay, okay, okay. This is fine.”
Molly frowned. “F-fine? How is any of this f-fine?”
“Jesse. He’ll c-come find us.”
“Who the hell is J-Jesse?”
“It’s a l-long story,” I said through chattering teeth. “My bodyguard. And my… boyfriend, I guess? Except not really. And I’m, uh… I’m pregnant.”
Molly’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
“Like I said. Long story.”
“Well, hot damn. Mazel tov, I g-guess?”
“You have surprisingly few questions.”
“Too c-cold. Tell me l-later.”
I nodded. “Fair enough.”
I inspected the nearest shelf. It was portable, set on four wheels for easy maneuvering. I yanked hard on one of its support poles, hoping to pull it loose and use it to knock a few heads if the cartel was stupid enough to try me a second time.
I was filled with a renewed protectiveness. Knowing both Molly and the baby were inmy care, I was basically ready to throw hands with the next person who walked through the freezer door.
Outside, I heard a ruckus. The sound was muffled but undeniable. Sirens. A whole squad, if I had to venture a guess. I could hear movement, the shuffling of feet and frantic shouting. Were the police coming for us? Did they know I was here?
Lance was likely awake by now, which meant that he’d definitely know I was missing. He’d have no choice but to report my disappearance to Jesse. My heart skipped a beat and my stomach flipped. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind. I was certain he was coming for me.
I managed to break the support pole free from the shelf. I wielded it like a bat, prepared to swing. I took a deep breath and waited, ready to pounce at the slightest hint of movement. My heart was pounding harder and harder as the chaos outside devolved into outright havoc. I didn’t know what was going on.
All I knew was that I was going to get all three of us the fuck out of here.
Chapter 34
Jesse
Rule number one about combat: never go in with guns blazing.
Rule number two about combat: never go in alone.
I broke both rules in the span of thirty seconds and honestly didn’t give a shit. There was too much on the line. Vivian needed me. I pitied any man foolish enough to stand in my way.