52. Talon
Talon
The whole drive, my legs are bouncing, I’ve got a gun on my hip, knife in my belt, and I’m focused. My only job is to get Cin out and to the car. It’s been a total of seven hours since she was taken, and I’m ready to hurt some people.
The FBI meets us about ten minutes from the house we think they’re holding her in.
One of them looks a lot like Cody, and I eye Lori. She looks away too quick for me to decipher her expression, but my mind is solely focused on finding Cin and getting her the fuck away from her father.
I’m jittering with unshed energy, ready to have her back and possibly murder a few people who get in my way.
“We’re not labeling the rescue as an official assignment, and as far as the Bureau knows, we’re here for Serge. You were never here,” the man who looks suspiciously like Cody says, and Lori nods. “However, if any harm comes to Cody, the young man with Serge, I’ll make sure to have you all arrested.”
Mack and Creed both make low warning sounds in the back of their throats, and Lori addresses them, “it’s the only way I got them to agree to help.”
“No one kills Cody,” Mack agrees, eyeing me hard.
“I thought his parents were in China, Lori?” I question, my voice dripping with implication.
“I don’t have time to explain this to you,” Lori says, “let’s get my daughter.”
I ignore Cody’s dad, looking at my own with a raised brow.
Did they know? Who am I kidding? Of course they did.
“I’ve confirmed three people in the house. Cin makes four,” he checks his watch and nods to Lori. We pile into the cars and park in a wooded area where the vehicles won't be seen. I can hear the lapping of the lake on the shore in the distance.
Birds chirp, and squirrels dodge in and out of trees. The house comes into view as we get ready while everyone gets into position. My eyes are on the house, laser focused on all the windows and front door.
Lori gives us a nod and we move, we’re synced, footsteps light and measured so we don’t alert the people inside too soon. The sun set a few minutes ago, giving us more cover. It’s not quite dark yet, more like a smoky dusk.
Cody’s dad nods to the man on the front porch, and he kicks the door in, moving with his gun at the ready. They move inside, and we follow. The sparse furniture is covered in sheets, there’s hardly anything on the walls.
The FBI takes their time going through rooms and taking pictures, making sure to keep us out of them. I don’t have the patience. I tear through the rooms, searching for anything that will tell me where they took her or if she was even here.
Nothing. There’s nothing here, and I lose it.
“I thought you said you confirmed four people, including Cin,” I accuse Cody’s father. I’m aware of my tone, and I don’t give two flying fucks if he thinks I’m being disrespectful.
“They were here,” he says, looking to his men who confirm a cleared space, “search the perimeter. They have to be here.”
Rushing out the door, with my family on my heels they follow as I head for the water. I remember Cin telling me about her dream. How she was on a mattress in the trees.
If Serge is wanting to replicate his ritual, and her dreams are memories replaying, he’ll have her somewhere deep in the woods.
“Son,” Dad questions, but I don’t have the time to answer. I’m going to save her.
I’m going to bring Spice home.