22. Ghost
22
GHOST
KENZIE
I can't see a damn thing. The blindfold's so tight it's digging into my skin. My wrists burn from the rope, and my shoulders ache from being tied to this chair for God knows how long. But none of that compares to the fear churning in my gut as I listen to Paige and Ian argue.
"You ruined everything!" Paige screams, her voice shrill and unhinged. "Our marriage, our life, all of it!"
"Paige, please," Ian begs. "This isn't the way. Let Kenzie go."
"Let her go?" Paige laughs, but it's a harsh, bitter sound. "So you can run off with her? I don't think so."
My heart races. I need to say something, anything, to defuse this situation. "Paige," I call out, trying to keep my voice steady. "I swear to you, nothing happened between Ian and me. We never?—"
"Shut up!" Paige shrieks. Something crashes nearby, making me flinch. "You lying whore! I know all about your little affair."
"It wasn't her," Ian says, his voice low and desperate. "Paige, listen to me. Kenzie's not the one I was with. It was someone else. She's innocent in all this."
The silence that follows is deafening. I hold my breath, praying that Ian's words will get through to her. But then I hear Paige's footsteps, slow and deliberate, coming towards me.
"Innocent?" she hisses, her breath hot on my face. "There's nothing innocent about you, is there, Kenzie? Coming to our town, trying to steal my husband..."
"I didn't—" I start, but she cuts me off with a stinging slap across my face.
"Paige!" Ian shouts. "Stop it!"
I taste blood in my mouth, but I force myself to stay calm.
Everett will come.
I picture his face, and my heart wants him here now.
He'll find me. He has to.
"You want to know what innocence looks like?" Paige's voice drips with venom. "It's me, believing every lie this bastard told me. It's me, thinking we could have a real family. And then you show up, and suddenly he's sneaking around, making phone calls, acting like a lovesick teenager."
"That wasn't because of Kenzie," Ian insists. "I told you, I was?—"
"Dealing with some business," Paige mimics. "Yeah, I've heard that one before. Well, I'm done hearing your excuses. Both of you can rot in hell."
I hear a drawer open, then the unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked. My blood runs cold.
"Paige," Ian's voice shakes. "Put the gun down. You don't want to do this."
"Don't tell me what I want!" she screams. "You lost that right when you threw away our marriage for this... this homewrecking whore!"
My mind races, desperate for something—anything—that might break through Paige's fury. But just as I'm about to speak, a deafening crash reverberates through the cabin, making the walls tremble. And my heart drops.
Chaos erupts around me.
The sound of gunshots rings out, sharp and jarring, mingling with the shouts of men and mayhem. I can’t tell who’s who in the room, and with my blindfold tight against my skin, my world is reduced to sheer terror.
I’m gripped by absolute dread and the overwhelming certainty that I might not make it out of this alive. But I'm not dying in this fucking cabin with these psychos.
“Everett!” I scream, my voice hoarse and trembling, choked with fear. "Everett, I’m here!"
I push the words out, each one laced with desperation, praying against all odds that he can hear me above the noise.
I twist in my chair, the ropes digging into my skin as I struggle against my restraints. Every noise creates a jarring thud in my chest—bodies slam against the walls, and the sound of frantic footsteps echoes ominously nearby.
I squeeze my eyes shut beneath the blindfold, trying to block out the nightmare unfolding around me, and keep screaming.
“Everett! Everett! Everett!”
Suddenly, hands grab me. I thrash wildly, terrified it's Paige coming to finish what she started.
"I got you, baby," a familiar voice rumbles in my ear.
Relief floods through me. "Everett," I sob, going limp in his arms.
His fingers work quickly, untying the ropes. As soon as I'm free, I throw my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder. He pulls off the blindfold, but I keep my eyes squeezed shut, overwhelmed by the sudden light and the emotions crashing over me.
"You're safe now," Everett murmurs, his arms tightening around me. "I've got you. You're safe."
I can't stop crying. They pour out of me, hours of fear and uncertainty finally breaking free.
Everett just holds me, one hand stroking my back as he whispers soothing words.
"I'm sorry," I hiccup, trying to pull myself together. "I'm getting your shirt all wet."
Everett chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest. "Love, I couldn't care less about the shirt."
I finally open my eyes, blinking against the light. Everett's face comes into focus, his blue eyes intense as they scan me for injuries.
"Are you hurt?" he asks, his voice rough with concern.
"Just some rope burns and bruises. I'll be okay."
Paige slapped me so many times that I know I must look like a blowfish. But I'm alive.
His jaw clenches, and I see a flash of anger in his eyes. But when he speaks, his voice is gentle. "Let's get you out of here."
Before I can protest, Everett scoops me up in his arms. As we step outside, I'm surprised to see a group of men in tactical gear. They turn as we approach, and I notice the way they defer to Everett.
Who are these guys?
"All clear, Ghost," one of them says. "Targets are secured."
Ghost? I look up at Everett, confused. He meets my gaze and sighs. "I'll explain everything later, I promise."
Another man steps forward, a cocky grin on his face. "Damn, Ghost. You gonna let the woman breathe, or what?"
Everett's arms tighten around me. "Fuck you, Maverick," he growls, but there's no real heat in it.
I should feel awkward being held like this in front of all these strangers. But the steady thump of Everett's heart against my ear is too comforting to give up. I nestle closer, breathing in his familiar scent.
"Kenzie," Everett says softly. "I want you to meet my team. This is Raven V."
I look around at the men, noting their serious expressions and the way they carry themselves. These aren't just Everett's employees. This is something else entirely.
"Nice to meet you all," I manage, my voice still shaky. "Thanks for, uh... rescuing me."
The man Everett called Maverick winks at me. "Anytime, darlin'. Though next time, maybe we can skip the dramatic cabin raid, yeah?"
I can't help but laugh. The sound is watery but genuine. "Deal."
As if on cue, I hear sirens in the distance. The cavalry's arriving, but these men—Raven V—they got here first. They saved me.
I look up at Everett, taking in the worry lines etched around his eyes and the tension in his jaw.
"Thank you," I whisper, reaching up to touch his cheek. "For finding me. For not giving up."
His eyes soften, and he leans down to press a gentle kiss on my forehead. "Always," he murmurs. "I will always come for you, Kenzie. No matter what."
The sirens grow louder, and I can hear voices calling out. The town's here, searching for me. But wrapped in Everett's arms, surrounded by his team, I already know—I'm home.
I've found where I belong.