Cosette hurried to the corner. It was awkward to run with her hands behind her back. Police poured in through an open man door, infiltrated the warehouse, and started yelling for everybody to put their hands up. Ignoring them, she dropped to her knees next to her dad. Her eyes scanned the length of his body, and she let out a sigh of relief. He didn’t look cut or beaten up, just curled up as if he were sleeping. She bent her head down and put her cheek next to his nose. She could feel his soft, warm exhalation on her cheek and breathed out, “Oh, thank you, Lord.”
She glanced up at Isaac, who had shoved Vance at a police officer and now dropped to his knees next to her. “He’s breathing,” she said.
He smiled reassuringly and put his fingers to her dad’s neck for a few seconds before saying, “Pulse is strong.”
Cosette leaned against Isaac, and he wrapped his free arm around her. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You were so brave.”
He smiled. “When I felt that my zip ties were partially cut, I knew I had somebody willing to help me. Luckily, the guy with the tattoos was on our side. He was tough.”
“Not as tough as you.”
Isaac leaned close to kiss her, but a man yelled right behind them. “Police! Get your hands up!”
Isaac stood to face him and helped Cosette up. The guy’s eyes flickered from Cosette with her hands bound behind her back, to Isaac looking so strong and fearsome with his shirt cut and some scrapes on his face and arms.
“We’re the people who were kidnapped last night,” Isaac explained slowly. “Isaac Jewel and Cosette Peterson.” He gestured toward the floor with his chin. “That’s Blaine Peterson. He needs an ambulance.”
The guy lowered his gun slightly and spoke into a radio extension at his shoulder, still watching Isaac uneasily.
Tattoo Guy came striding across the open area, talking and laughing with an older gentleman who looked important. He saw them, said something to the other man, and they both headed their direction. “They’re with me,” Tattoo Guy said. “Can you please cut her loose?”
The policeman didn’t say anything but stowed his gun and readily complied, pulling out a knife and cutting the zip ties. Cosette rubbed at her wrists.
The important-looking guy slapped Tattoo Guy on the shoulder. “Sorry you blew your cover, but I think we’ll get some great information with the computers here and the men we’ve arrested.” He smiled kindly at Cosette and walked away.
Tattoo Guy’s smile split his handsome face. He reminded her of Mel Gibson inBraveheart, sans long hair but adding in the myriad of tattoos.
Isaac extended his hand. “I’m also sorry you blew your cover, but I will be forever grateful for the help.”
“I couldn’t let that weasel torture you.”
“Who are you?” Cosette asked.
His smile broadened. “Jesse Panetto. My family and I have been battling human trafficking for over ten years now.”
“Jesse.” She shook his hand. “Good, I can stop thinking of you as Tattoo Guy.”
Jesse threw his head back and laughed. “My wife called me Dr. Tattoo when she first met me.”
“You’re a doctor too?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Can you …?” She pointed at her dad.
“Of course. Sorry, I got distracted.” He dropped to his knees and checked her dad’s vitals as well as his spine. “I didn’t notice anyone hurting him, but you never know with these losers,” he muttered.
Isaac wrapped his arm around her, and Cosette leaned heavily into his side.
Finally, Jesse looked up. “He’s been heavily drugged, but I can’t find any damage. Of course, the hospital can run tests to make certain there’s no internal damage.”
She shuddered and glanced up at Isaac. “If there’s internal damage, I’ll support you ripping Vance’s arms off.”
“I might rip them off anyway for him belittling you.”
Cosette felt a warm current rush through her. Isaac was so protective and good.
Jesse stood and looked at Cosette. “You remind me of my wife: beautiful, feisty, and no filter. Speaking of my wife … Since you blew my cover, I’m headed home to my wife and boys.” He grinned even bigger and saluted them. “I wish you two every happiness.” Then he was gone.