“Do you want me to go check and see?”
“Uh-uhh.” Her eyes would immediately dart over to me. “I want Daddy to go.”
Knowing I had work in the morning, Grace would turn and look at me with apologetic eyes. While it was a bit of an inconvenience, I didn’t mind going. In fact, I rather enjoyed being my daughter’s hero for a brief moment in time, so I didn’t complain as I eased the covers back and pulled myself out of bed. I’d walk over and take my daughter’s hand in mine, and then, together, we’d set out to rid her closet of the big, scary monster.
Before walking into her room, I’d look down at Kiersten and ask, “Do I need to get the poker?”
She’d nod, then watch as I’d rush over and get the fire poker from the living room. Once I had it in hand, I’d tiptoe over to her closet, then open the door ever-so-slowly as I pointed the poker into the dark shadows. I’d make a few dramatic jabs, then flick on the light with a loud, “Gotcha!”
Kiersten would rush over and peer into the closet, checking to see if her imaginary monster was truly gone, and then she’d sigh with relief. “You got ‘em, Daddy.”
“I sure did.” I’d close her closet door, then motion over to her bed and say, “Now it’s time for my girl to get some sleep.”
“But Daddy...”
“No buts, little miss.” I’d ease the covers back and wait for her to crawl inside, then I’d tuck her in. “How’s that?”
“Can you weave the ‘ight on?”
“Yeah, I can leave it on.” I’d brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, then leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead. “Sweet dreams, kiddo.”
“Night, daddy.”
I’d leave her room feeling like I could conquer the world.
I would’ve given anything to have that feeling again, especially now when Kiersten’s life truly was in danger.
It had been almost an hour since we’d left the warehouse, and I was still feeling the jitters from the adrenaline pulsing through my veins. I’d been in some pretty tight spots in my time, but none like I experienced in that warehouse. It was pretty intense, but we’d managed to make it through unscathed.
I just hoped the same would hold true for phase two of our plan.
Viper was concerned that one of the guards from the warehouse might’ve tipped DeLuca off, so he demanded that Menace check the security feed one last time before we made our approach. We were trying to be patient, but tensions were running high.
We were all eager to get inside and find Kiersten, especially me and Country. It had been long enough. We were both ready to get her home safe and sound. Before that could happen, we’d have to not only find her, but we’d also have to contend with Antonio and his men.
As much as we’d all love to storm into his home with guns blazing, we had his neighbors to consider. Even though his home was resting on a three-acre lot surrounded by a ten-foot brick wall and trees, it wouldn’t take much to draw the attention of a nosy neighbor with an ax to grind, and if they decided to call the cops, we’d all go down.
But I didn’t care.
For my daughter, I was willing to take any risk to get her back.
We all were, but that didn’t mean that we didn’t take precautions.
Because we did.We took every one possible, including using silencers and having Menace cut the power to the entire block. He’d even put up a transmitter to block all outgoing calls, making it impossible for anyone in the area to make a call while we were there.
As soon as Menace was done going over everything, he called us over and said, “Still no eyes on the inside, but we can see the two guards at the front door and another at the back.”
“Any sign of Kiersten?”
“Sorry, Country. I don’t see her.” Menace answered. “But my gut says she’s inside that house.”
“I sure as hell hope you’re right, because I’m gonna lose my shit if she isn’t.”
“We’re not gonna find her out here.”
“Billy’s right.” Viper motioned his head to the front gate. “Let’s get in there and find our girl.”
I glanced over at Country, and for just a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. He and I both knew what we were all putting on the line, and we were ready for it. We finished up our final precautionary checks, then proceeded to our assigned locations.