Chapter 17 #3
No. “I’m sure this is our best chance of getting her out of this thing alive.”
Despite Boone’s efforts to prevent them from making what he obviously felt was a grave mistake, Emmett felt in his gut the D.C. detective could be trusted. Because of this, he motioned to the back seat that was nearly full.
“You want proof?” He motioned with his head to the seat behind him. “We’ll fill you in on the way. Otherwise let go of my door, because I have someplace I need to be.”
And a woman I desperately need to save from the men who will most assuredly kill her.
With a look of defeat and not-so-quiet curse, Boone released the hold on the door’s metal frame. Gwen was quick to offer up her seat, climbing back into the third row so Boone could sit in the middle. Once he was in, the doors slammed shut, and Emmett shoved the vehicle into drive.
The sound of tires squealing echoed all around them as they sped through the underground garage. As he drove, he half-listened to what Blake and the others were saying, his focus split between his team’s plan of attack and the woman they were trying like hell to save.
We’re coming, sweetheart. We know where you are, and we’re on our way to you now. Just a little longer, sweetheart.
Janie wiped the sweat from her clammy palms as she paced the concrete prison. It had been hours, and no one had come to her. Or to her, it had felt like hours.
There’d been no interrogation. No demands. Only a deafening silence that was slowly driving her mad.
That’s probably part of their plan.
Wear her down with psychological warfare, starting with isolation. Give her just enough time for her mind to start working against her.
News flash, fellas. I’m already there.
Tiny bits of gravel, dirt, and grime created a soft crunching sound beneath her feet. At least she’d had the sense to dress in comfortable shoes for the trip to the hospital.
A rush of tears flooded her eyes as thoughts of her friend returned. She forced them back, knowing she couldn’t waste time on more tears. Enough had already fallen.
It was getting harder to stay vigil and keeping her emotions in check had become more of a challenge. But hard or not, Janie knew she had to stay as alert as she possibly could.
It was the only way she’d even have if she ever wanted to escape.
These men had killed Amy, hurt Devon, kidnapped her, and were holding her captive. And while Janie understood and accepted that she may not make it out of this room alive, she wasn’t about to let them see her as little more than a wilting flower.
A sound came from somewhere outside the room. Her stomach dropped as the rest of her body froze in place. She tilted her ear toward the door and listened closely to make out what it was.
Someone’s coming!
Janie barely had time to register the thought before the doorknob started to turn. With nowhere to run, she kept her shoulders back and her chin lifted as a show of strength.
The door opened. A man entered the industrial room. Janie’s stubborn jaw lost its effect when it dropped as she saw who it was.
“You.” The breathy word escaped her gaping lips with a look of disbelief.
Christopher Campbell—the Secret Service agent she’d had words with outside the White House the week before—walked casually into the room. He was dressed in tactical gear and a backward ball cap. A large pistol was secured at his hip.
“Well hello, again.” His lips slowly curved up into an angle.
Janie’s fists clenched at her sides, and she had to fight the urge to wipe the smug smirk off the bastard’s face. She shouldn’t be so shocked, given the way he’d treated her that day at the White House. But seeing him here, in this place, still somehow took her by surprise.
“Why did you bring me here?” she demanded.
“Oh, that? That wasn’t me.”
Tall. Muscular. Tatted arms, and a thick layer of scruff. It was a shame the mouthy man was such a crooked, murderous douchebag.
She didn’t know for sure whether he was the one to end Amy’s life. But from those bruises on his reddened knuckles, she’d bet her own life this was the man who’d put Devon in the hospital.
“Why am I here?” Janie asked for the second time.
“You’re here, because that’s what the boss wanted.”
“Your boss?” She scoffed. “And just who might that be?”
The man blinked but didn’t stop moving until he was only a few inches away. “You have a big mouth for someone in your situation.” He glanced down at her lips. “Maybe someone should shut it for you.”
“The way you shut up my friend?” She got in his face. “Did that make you feel like a man, beating up a woman half your size?”
His sinister smile confirmed what she’d already suspected.
“She was simply a means to an end.” He didn’t bother denying the claim. “Your end, to be more precise.”
“Whatever they’re paying you, it isn’t worth it. Murdering people isn’t worth it.”
Campbell started to laugh. “You act like this is my first time. I’d say not to worry, but I definitely won’t be gentle.”
When he lifted a hand toward her face, Janie flinched. “If you’re trying to scare me, it’s not going to work. There are people looking for me as we speak.”
“Who? Your boyfriend and his lackies?” The sick man’s chuckle caused her stomach to churn. “Honey, if they were as good as they like to think they are, you never would have been caught.”
“It’s your funeral,” she warned.
Please, God, let that be true.
“Last I checked, I’m still very much alive and well.”
Janie sent him a sneer and a foreboding, “For now.”
The look in his eyes grew hard as stone, and when he turned around, she thought he was leaving. Janie was too busy feeling proud of herself for the way she’d stood her ground to notice his arm suddenly swinging her way.
Pain exploded as the back of his hand slammed into the side of her face. She cried out as the blow sent her flying to the floor. Her head bounced off the concrete a fraction of a second before her shoulder and hip.
A thousand bright, tiny stars filled her vision, and it was all she could do to stay awake.
“You know, your friend thought she was in charge at first, too.” Campbell lowered himself into a squat beside her. “So I suggest you get that attitude of yours in check, unless you want to end up just like her.”
He’s trying to scare you. He’s using threats and physical intimidation to frighten you into submission.
She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t scared. But Janie was also beyond pissed and willing to do whatever it took to survive. Even if it meant letting this sorry excuse for a man believe he had her completely controlled.
A small groan escaped that wasn’t the least bit performative, which only helped her cause.
“I’ll be back in a while to ask you some questions.” Campbell pushed himself up to his feet. “Oh, and just so you know, I’m bringing a friend. And he’s very good at getting people to talk.”
He walked out, shut the door, and locked her inside. Janie’s chin trembled, and though she tried like hell to keep them at bay, a fresh onslaught of tears rushed to the surface.
She’d talked a tough game, and she’d meant every word she’d said. But as she lay with her head pounding and her body aching from the blow, Janie couldn’t help but be afraid.
Please be looking for me, Emmett. I don’t know how to get out of this one without you.