Forever Found (Lost #3)

CHAPTER 6

KANE

Ash and I leapt from the car that had collected us at the airfield, and into the emergency room of a small county hospital out in the middle of fucking nowhere Nevada.

“Eli Lyle and Adeline Brooks. They were brought hours ago. Where are they?” Asher demanded long before he even got close to the reception desk, behind which sat a geeky looking kid who couldn’t have been more than eighteen years old. His whole body tensed and he sat up straighter, looking shit scared as Ash and I approached him. I had no doubt we looked pretty intimidating, our anxiety and worry for Addy and Eli easily mistaken for anger.

“Are you a family member?” the kid asked, and I had to give him points for keeping his voice steady when he was obviously terrified of us.

“I’m their brother. Where are they?” Asher demanded again.

We had been like a pair of caged lions on the flight over, neither of us able to sit still, just desperate to get to the both of them and know they really were okay. The phone call with Addy had been hell. She’d been so distraught we’d barely understood much she’d said. Then she stopped speaking and I almost lost my shit completely. All we really knew was that Addy was too hurt and traumatized to speak with us, and Eli had been shot. Asher had called the local cops to ensure Addy and Eli would be safe while they were in the hospital, to which the police had agreed, but they weren’t willing to share any more information with Asher over the phone.

Asher had also arranged some guards from a Vegas based private security firm who should have arrived hours ago to watch over Eli and Addy, but it wasn’t enough. We had no idea if the guards were any good – though Asher had been sure to employ a company with a good reputation – recommended to him by a military buddy. We just needed to get to them and find out what the hell had happened and who the fuck we needed to kill to keep Addy and Eli safe for good.

“Let’s move!” Asher barked as he set off half walking, half running past the reception and through some double doors. I hadn’t even heard what the kid had said. I’d zoned out. It was impossible to think about anything but getting to Addy, and worrying about the state she would be in when I did get my arms around her. Would she even allow me to touch her, or would it be like when we first met all over again? Would she be scared of me again?

For the first time in a long time I wished I had others to rely on to help me through whatever came next. I wished for Jordan and Adam to be at my side so we could work together to take care of Addy and give her everything she needed.

It was clear to see we were in the right place when we walked into a unit of the hospital and found two cops and two bulky guys, who had to be private security, all stationed outside the door of what looked like a private room. As we hurried in that direction, one of the security guys – tall and built with a bald head and definitely concealing a weapon under the jacket he wore – stepped towards us and held out his hand, his other hovering close to his hip.

“You’re from J Black Security ?” Asher questioned as we drew to a stop, referencing the security company he had hired.

“I am. And you are?”

“Asher Lyle. Your client,” Asher answered as he pulled out his wallet and handed over his ID. “This is Kane Chase, my head of security.”

“Lee Wilson. That’s Gary.” He pointed a thumb over his shoulder to the other guy, who still stood outside the door of the hospital room but was watching us closely. I was impressed so far, They seemed alert and vigilant, way more so than the two cops who were now sat down in some chairs further down the hall, chatting to each other. “Boss sent us over. We’re the security detail you requested. I also have a driver and an armored car outside if you need to go anywhere. “The cops have been getting pissy about taking statements, but we’ve kept them out as you requested. The only people in and out of the room have been doctors and nurses,” Lee explained.

“Addy and Eli are both in there?” I asked anxiously.

“Yeah. We didn’t introduce ourselves, since the nurse told us the your sister is pretty fragile right now. We didn’t want to scare her.”

“You did the right thing. I appreciate you being here,” Asher reassured him. “Try to keep the cops out for now please, at least until I see how they both are. Any updates on where they escaped from or who held them?”

“Not yet. We have a team going out to the diner your siblings were picked up from, to check out the car they arrived in, but it’s tricky with the cops all over it too. It’d help if you can give us some names to work with before the cops find out,” Lee said with a pointed look between Asher and I.

It wasn’t that we didn’t want the cops involved. They had a job to do and we’d take any help we could get to keep the people we cared about safe, but we just wanted the security company to have the leads they needed to work the case too, and police weren’t in the habit of sharing information. They also moved at a snail’s pace. The security company Asher had employed would get results much faster.

“I’ll pass on anything we find out,” Asher agreed. Lee nodded, then he stepped back, allowing us access to the closed door of the private room.

I felt my cell vibrate in my jeans pocket and knew it would be Jordan, asking about Addy. I had texted him in the car, telling him we were almost at the hospital and promising to let him know as soon as I knew anything, but I couldn’t blame him for being too worried to await my messages. We were all fucking terrified about how hurt Addy was, and about just how far back this whole fuck up would set her.

It was all my fucking fault. How could I have worked with Leo every fucking day and not have realized what he was up to? I hired him! I had vouched for him, for Christ’s sake! He was a friend, and someone I had trusted to have my back on some seriously dicey missions overseas. I still didn’t understand how he could have betrayed us all, but he damned well had, and that was wholly on me. Whatever had happened to Eli and Addy was all my fucking fault and I would never ever forgive myself for that fuck up.

Asher opened the door and we both stepped in, Eli holding a finger to his lips to silence us instantly. He looked pale and exhausted, dressed in a hospital gown with bandages wrapped around his left bicep just visible under the sleeve. He had some scratches on his face and down his arms too, and a few bruises I could see, but he looked whole.

Addy was curled up into his side, her knees pulled up and her thighs leaning against Eli’s side. She was clutching the sheets around him and her head was pressed into his side. She looked like she had tried to have contact with Eli at every point she possibly could. Her cream colored dress was covered with blood and her legs and feet were completely bare. I longed to see her face, but she seemed to be asleep, which I was guessing was the reason for Eli keeping us quiet.

“Eli. Christ. I was so worried,” Asher whispered as he crossed the room to the side of the bed Addy wasn’t at. He leaned down and grabbed the back of Eli’s neck, pulling him forward just enough so their foreheads could touch.

“I’m okay, Ash. I’m good,” Eli whispered back.

“Addy said you’d been shot and wouldn’t wake?” Ash questioned as he pulled back just enough to look Eli over.

“My arm. Bullet hit an artery and I lost too much blood, but they told me I’ll be fine. Probably need some physio once it heals,” Eli shrugged.

“And Addy?” I asked, unable to wait any longer.

“She won’t let the doctors check her over. She’s really shaken up now it’s over. She has a head injury and she’s moving like she’s in pain. Her wrists are messed up too, but I didn’t want to push her. She was barely holding on. I…I was unconscious for the first few hours. I don’t know…I don’t know what they did to her in that time. She was trying to be so strong and she did fucking amazing but I…they could have hurt her. I just don’t know,” Eli explained, the words clearly hard for him to get out. We all knew what he was implying – that she had been raped. Just the thought of it had me so filled with rage I wanted to tear down the whole fucking building around me.

“What happened? Who took you?” Asher asked after several moments of us all silently trying to take in what it could mean for Addy – whatever those fuckers had done to her.

“Addy said it was Max - the attorney from Vegas. She said he was working with dad on the trafficking and whatever else they were up to.”

“Max Kline?” I questioned. It was as we’d thought when we got the names from Zara. Maxwell Kline had been Joseph’s business partner. I hadn’t ever met the man, but I had heard Addy mention him and knew she had spoken with him a few times, just because she liked him. I had thought they were friends. He was the guy she’d called the night Asher and Eli didn’t return from being questioned by the cops. She had trusted the bastard. All I knew now was that if I ever got my hands on the fucker, he was a dead man.

“We thought as much. Zara gave us his name along with some others. I knew it had to be him,” Asher explained.

“But why now? Why do this now? We had no idea he was even involved. It likely would have stayed that way if he hadn’t taken the both of you?” I asked. It made no sense. Kline had already almost gotten away. Why bring so much attention to himself by Taking Eli and Addy?

The discussion was halted as Addy started to keen as though she was in pain, then she was moving, writhing around as if she were trying to fight.

“Addy, it’s okay, shortcake,” Eli tried to soothe her as he fought to hold on to her. I hurried around the bed to grab her, seeing how much it was hurting Eli to do just that.

“I’ve got her,” I told him as I wrapped my hands around Addy’s waist and lifted her to my chest, moving one of my hands to cradle her under her ass, as I ran the other over her wild hair. She felt like ice in my arms and she was shaking way too hard, her entire body vibrating against mine. She tried to fight me, but I held her tightly against me and used my hand to press her face to my chest, praying it would ease her panic as it usually did.

“Try not to touch her back. I think she has some bruises or wounds there. She flinched earlier when I touched the middle of it,” Eli warned me.

“She needs to be checked by a doctor,” Asher sighed, his eyes locked on his sister and filled with concern.

“Angel. It’s just me. I’ve got you now,” I whispered close to her ear. I could see a nasty lump on the back of her head and there was blood dried in her hair. “You’re safe, pretty girl,” I added. Finally she stopped fighting against me and just seemed to go limp in my arms.

“Kane?” she uttered, the word barely coming out, but I heard it.

“I’m here, Addy. Asher too. I’ve got you.”

I was relieved when she lifted her arms and wrapped them around my neck. She clung on so tightly I could scarcely breathe, but I didn’t care, I was just so relieved to have her in my arms I almost allowed tears to slip free. She pressed her head against my shoulder and I could feel tears running down my neck.

“Here brother, sit,” Asher said as he dragged a chair closer to me. I nodded gratefully and sank back into the seat, careful not to jostle Addy too much, not knowing how hurt she was, or where her injuries were.

“I n-never thought I…I’d see you again,” Addy said shakily after several minutes of sobs. Her voice was hoarse and sounded strained, and still she wouldn’t lift her head and look at me. “Adam w-as shot…then Eli. I w-was so sc….scared.”

“I know. Me too,” I told her softly. “But you’re here now, and Adam’s fighting to get back to us. Jordan’s watching over him. Eli’s safe. We’re all gonna get through this, Addy. Everything’s gonna be just fine.”

“Eli?” Addy’s head shot up and she started to look around frantically.

“Right where you left me,” Eli said with a gentle smile as her eyes locked on his. She slumped back against me as though the small movement of searching the room had exhausted her.

“Asher,” she sighed when she saw him too, now at the foot of the bed only a few feet from where we sat. “You’re here.”

“I am,” Ash nodded.

“You look tired,” she pointed out.

“I suppose I probably do. It’s been a long forty-eight hours. I was terrified I was going to lose the two of you. Adam too.”

“He’s still stable, isn’t he? Tell m-me he’s okay, please Asher,” Addy pleaded as her lip trembled with the threat of more tears.

“He is, Addy. I spoke to Jordan just before we arrived at the hospital. He said Adam’s doing good. They might even reduce the painkillers he’s on later today and try to wake him up,” I assured her.

“And Jordan? He must have been so sc-scared he’d lose Adam.”

“He’s had a rough forty-eight hours too, sweetheart, but he’s keeping it together,” Asher assured her.

“We’ll call him later so you can speak to him, yeah?” I added, and she nodded tiredly in response.

“Addy, now Kane and Ash are here, you really need to get your injuries looked at,” Eli worried. I glanced over to him and realized how exhausted he looked now. He had to be in pain, and it wasn’t so long since he woke from surgery. He needed to rest and I needed to take care of my girl.

“Eli’s right. How about we go and do that, and Ash can stay with Eli while he gets some rest, okay?” I suggested as I glanced up to Ash to check he was good with that.

“Eli should rest, but I d-don’t need to be checked over. I…I’m f-fine. Just some bruises,” Addy said dismissively.

“Addy,” Eli admonished gently.

“I can come with you, if that would help, sweetheart?” Asher offered and I tensed, hating the idea that Addy would feel safer with him than she did with me, but I also knew I would hand her over to Asher and shut my mouth if it were what she needed. She had been through enough without witnessing me having a kiddy tantrum.

“I can’t, Asher. Pl-please don’t make me. I c…can’t have a stranger t-touching me…I can’t,” Addy squeaked out through her tight throat. “I just want to g-go home. I want Jordan and A-Adam. Please can we just g-go home? Please?” She looked up to meet my eyes and pleaded with me silently. When I half smiled, she already knew the answer I had to give. Eli wasn’t ready to leave the hospital yet and we had the police to deal with.

A quiet sob slipped from her as she pressed her face against my chest and I could feel she was shaking even harder now. She was obviously exhausted, and, I suspected, in pain. She was also riding the very edge of her anxiety and fighting like hell not to fall off of that edge.

I was sick with worry about what Eli had said, about her being alone with Kline and who knew what other monsters. I knew there was a possibility they had assaulted her, but I was fighting to push those thoughts back, so I could maintain my cool and calm for Addy. That was what she needed. She really didn’t need me losing it with my anger.

“How about we go into the shower room and I take a look at your injuries, okay? If there’s nothing serious we’ll just get you cleaned up and changed,” I suggested, not willing to put Addy through anymore trauma if she could be spared it.

“Okay,” she whispered with a slight nod.

“Okay.” I gave her a single nod in return. “But we will have to speak with a doctor if you have any serious injuries, angel. I’m not willing to risk anything happening to you. I already almost lost you,” I added as I pulled her even tighter against me. I had fucked up allowing her to be taken from me. I was going to make fucking sure that never ever happened again. I didn’t think I’d ever even be able to allow her out of my sight again.

ADDY

I didn’t lift my head from Kane’s chest as he stood with me in his arms and walked into the washroom of Eli’s private room. I didn’t want to look at Ash or Eli again. I felt like such a failure before them both. I had wanted to be so strong and keep Eli safe. Instead he had protected me, gotten us both out, got shot and almost bled to death in the process. And me? I was a disaster. I was of no use to either of them. Once again I was falling apart and, no matter how much I wanted to get it together, I just didn’t seem able to. I was weak and pathetic and so beyond broken. They saw it. Kane saw it. I damn well saw it! I’d been deluding myself over recent weeks, thinking I was healing. Believing the guys when they told me I was getting stronger. Everything that had happened since Leo knocked on the door of our home had proved the exact opposite.

Adam was fighting for his life in the ICU! Eli had been through surgery! That was on me. Jordan, almost losing the very last member of his entire family, was on me. I should never have screamed for Adam. I should have left him out of the whole mess, but I had been scared, and I had needed him. That was the problem, wasn’t it? I was always scared now, and instead of trying to deal with it alone, I was leaning on Asher, Eli, Adam, Jordan, and Kane, and in the process of doing that, I was destroying their lives too.

“Addy? Look at me, angel,” Kane said softly, pulling me from the despair I was drowning in.

I ignored him and pressed my face against the soft cotton of his t-shirt even harder. I knew I should find the strength to at least walk away – to spare them all from the mess that seemed to follow me around like a never ending storm cloud, but I was so weak I didn’t even think I could manage that.

Asher and Eli had lost so much because of me. Their family business was gone. A part of the home they had lovingly built and been so happy in before I arrived, had been blown up. And Joseph – their father. Would they have ever known about any of the evil within that man without me coming along and inadvertently dredging it all up? How much suffering had they been put through because of the knowledge about their father, caused by me?

“Addy! Look at me, right now!” Kane demanded, his tone commanding and deep. As much as I wanted to ignore him and just hide until I miraculously disappeared once and for all, I couldn’t seem to ignore that tone in his sharp voice. I moved my head just enough for me to be able to lift my eyes and meet his. I was sat on his lap now, and he still held his arms around me, but the look on his face was one filled with concern.

He moved his arm from around me to tuck some strands of hair behind my ear, then he ran his finger down my cheek. “I’m losing you to that darkness again, angel, and I don’t like it. I want you to keep your eyes on mine and try to take some deeper breaths for me.”

“I can’t, Kane,” I squeaked as tears filled my eyes. “I…I c-can’t do any of this. Not anymore…not again. I…I’ve h-had enough,” I pushed out frantically through my tight throat and gasping breaths.

“Enough of that,” Kane told me firmly. “You’re exhausted and you’ve been through a lot. I’m guessing you’re in pain and haven’t eaten for hours too. Whatever you’re feeling right now is not to be trusted, you hear me? No more letting those dark thoughts pull you down. You’re going to stay right here with me and let me take care of you. You don’t need to do anything right now but trust me to care for you and keep you safe. You gonna do that for me, pretty girl?”

I wanted to argue that it wouldn’t be as easy as he seemed to think. I wanted to argue that I was a huge freaking disaster he should just run fast and far from. But I didn’t. Instead I nodded and pressed myself tighter into him, because I wanted what he said. I wanted to not think about anything other than the fact Kane had me, and feel safe in the knowledge that I trusted him absolutely. I wanted some peace inside and some calm, so the chaos in my head would just stop. I wanted to give into the cowardice and weakness that I knew filled me, no matter how much I knew I shouldn’t.

“Good girl,” Kane praised, and I liked it. Was that weakness too? Was I pathetic to take some warmth and affection from those two simple words of praise? “I’m gonna take off your clothes and we’ll get in the shower together. Is that good with you?”

“Yes,” I whispered. I honestly didn’t care what he did as long as he didn’t let me go. I just needed him to hold me.

“Good. Before we do, I need you to tell me everywhere you’re hurt so I can take a look, okay?” He phrased it as a question, but he was using that tone of voice that told me he expected me to answer him – the tone I seemed powerless to ignore. I took in a small breath and lifted my head enough to meet his intense gaze once again. “I need you to tell me all of it, Addy. If you’re not going to let a doctor see you, I need to be sure I see every injury you have. I need you to be safe. You understand?”

“I…I’m okay, Kane,” I said as steadily as I could, but the words still wobbled. “My wrists…they hurt a little. I h-hit my head and back too, but it…it really is just bruising. I’m alright.”

“There’s nothing else?” Kane asked tightly, suddenly looking even more tense than he had before. “You can tell me. You know you can tell me anything.”

“There’s nothing else, Kane.”

“You’re sure? Eli…he told us that you…you were alone with Max and the others while he was still knocked out. Those men…they didn’t do anything? Touch you? Hurt you?” he pushed, his tone staying way calmer than the look on his face.

“No,” I shook my head. “They d-didn’t t-touch me…not like that. Max…I th-think he wanted to. I’m sure he would have…g-given the chance, but Eli…he got us out so fast. That…it didn’t happen, They n-never touched me like that, Kane” I added as I reached up and cupped my trembling hand around his stubbled cheek. He put his hand over mine and pressed his cheek into my touch for just a moment, then he seemed to gather himself and he stood, lifting me with him.

“Let me see these bruises then,” he said as he lifted me to sit on the counter beside the sink and pulled off my sweater. A shudder ran through me as the cold hit me even harder, and Kane looked to me with fear, freezing exactly where he stood.

“Did I hurt you?” he asked quickly. He clutched my blood covered dress in his hands and I could see how tightly he clenched the fabric. That might have scared others who were feeling as vulnerable as I did in that moment, but not me. I knew Kane. I knew any anger he felt was directed at what had happened and the monsters who had caused it. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, no matter the rage he felt inside. I knew the anger that lived within him would only ever be used to protect and cherish me.

“No. Never,” I told him as I smiled just a fraction for him. “Cold. I j-just can’t seem to get warm.”

“We’ll get you warmed up soon. Promise,” he told me as he dropped the dress to the floor and stepped toward me again. He wrapped his warm arms around me and I sank against him.

“I wish Jord and Adam were here too,” I confessed.

“Can’t believe I’m saying this, but me too,” he agreed, and I glanced up to him with a small smile again. I knew he was getting better at the idea of the relationship we had together. I had noticed him trying hard to interact more with the guys and we all spent time together pretty often before Eli and I were taken. We had been starting to build a little unit that seemed to just work most of the time. I wanted that back. I wanted all three of my guys safe and healthy, right there with me. “We’ll call Jordan soon, okay? And I promise I’ll do everything I can to have us all back together as soon as possible. It’s all going to be just fine, sweet girl. You’ll see.”

I didn’t say anything else, because I knew the fruitlessness of telling him Adam being hurt was all my fault. He wouldn’t listen to me. He wouldn’t let me sink into the darkness that was filling me from the ground up.

I felt numb as Kane, removed Eli sneakers, and tossed them aside, then stripped off the bra and panties I wore too. I didn’t even register him removing his own clothes either. Awareness didn’t even return to me until I felt warm water cascade down over me. I startled badly, and found myself gripping my arms even tighter around Kane’s neck. I hadn’t even realized I was holding onto him.

“Easy. Just me, angel. I’ve got you,” Kane soothed as he ran one of his large hands up and down my side gently.

“S-sorry,” I whispered to him, never wanting him to think I was scared of him. “I’m just tired.”

“I know. Let’s get you cleaned up, then I’ll find somewhere you can rest,” he assured me.

“Will y-you stay with me?” I looked up and met his eyes, pleading with him to never leave me again.

“Angel, if you think I’m ever leaving your side again, you’re seriously mistaken. I almost lost you. I will never allow that to happen again. I love you Addy, so fucking much. You can’t ever leave me now. I need you.”

“I won’t,” I promised as I wrapped my arms tighter around him and lifted my body to press my lips to his. The kiss was short, but tender and filled with so many words neither of us were any good at saying. “I love you, Kane, and I know for sure I need you too.”

He kissed my lips softly once more, then the middle of my forehead. We shared a look filled with love, but also fear. We had both said it – we needed each other. We loved each other, but with that came the terrifying realization that we could also lose each other one day, especially in the midst of the chaos surrounding us.

“I’ll keep us safe, Addy. I’ll keep us all safe,” he promised and I nodded because I knew, no matter what, he would do all he could to keep that promise, as would I.

There were so many things I knew I was, especially in that moment. I was weak, broken, pathetic, useless, messed up, and so many more things that should force me to walk away feeling unworthy of all of the people that had come into my life recently, but I couldn’t. I loved them all. I needed them and I wanted them. I had gone my whole life never really taking anything I wanted for myself, but now I was being selfish. Now I was grabbing onto my brothers and the men I was in love with, and I was hoarding them close, all for myself. I didn’t want to let them go, even if I thought I should. So instead I made a vow to myself there and then – a vow that no matter who or what I was, I would always fight like hell to protect them all. They were my everything. My whole life. No one was taking that from me without one hell of a battle.