Chapter 29
Tanner was sure his pounding heart was making an audible sound as they pulled up in front of the DynaTech Corp building.
It was a massive compound of steel and glass.
Imposing and powerful in the heart of Dallas.
They had arrived in two vehicles. Tanner went in Luke’s truck with Garrett, and Caden drove his sedan with Blake.
They were standing between the two vehicles, looking up at the building.
Thankfully the storm was passing and the rain had all but stopped.
But the drive had given Tanner time to process and think about what he was asking his friends to do for him.
Even if Violet was biologically his daughter, what they were planning to do tonight was illegal, and anyone who breached that building would be held responsible. They could lose their badges and their pensions.
For Tanner, it went without question that this was what he had to do.
He could always get another job. Hell, he had a job waiting for him at the ranch, or any one of his father’s successful businesses.
But it was different for his friends. Some of them had wives that depended on their husband’s income.
Luke never wanted Orly to feel like she couldn’t take time off, or be a stay-at-home mom once they started their family.
Caden was damn good at his job, and he liked knowing Hallie could fall back on his paycheck during the slower months at her store.
The economy was rocky at best. Skyla was dealing with a lot these days despite Madigan’s doing well.
But Reese was just restarting her art career, and Garrett wanted to make sure she felt secure in doing that without worrying about money.
It went without saying that Tanner would do everything he could to cover for his friends, but he had to say it. “Guys, you don’t have to go in there with me. This is my fight. I don’t expect any of you to risk your lives or careers.”
“Shut up,” Blake said.
“We don’t turn our backs on our friends,” Garrett added.
“Never have, never will,” Luke said. “Just like you didn’t turn your back on me when I was the one in trouble.”
Tanner nodded. “That was different. And you’ve got Orly who needs you now. Caden, you’ve got Hallie, and Blake -”
“Yeah, we know what’s at stake. We’re not going in blind.
” The rough edge in Blake’s tone showed just how seriously he was taking this.
“And I for one know that Skyla would kick my ass if she thought I hesitated for even a second to save an innocent little girl and a helpless woman who were at the mercy of a monster.”
Tanner could understand that. But Skyla was also very well off financially because Madigan’s was the hottest bar and club in town, and her father had left her his entire estate.
Tanner was more worried about the others.
He turned to Luke, Caden, and Garrett. “What about Orly and Hallie? And Reese? They need you guys. If you lose your badge or -”
“We’ll figure it out,” Caden said. “Let me ask you something, if Hallie was in there, would you walk away because you might lose your badge?”
“Hell no,” Tanner said. “But I’ve got the ranch to fall back on. It’s different for you guys.”
“No, it’s not,” Garrett chimed in. “We might not have a ranch, but we’ve got each other and our families. And that’s a hell of a lot more than most people have. Now, are we going to stand around here shooting the shit, or are we going in and saving your family?”
Tanner wasn’t surprised by his friends’ words, and he was incredibly moved by their loyalty and commitment to helping him.
He just hoped they were making the right decision following him into this mess.
“Let’s do this,” he said, swallowing back the knot in his throat.
He had no idea what they were getting themselves into.
He also didn’t know where to even start looking.
Violet had said they were in different locations, which meant that April might not even be inside.
He pulled out his phone and sent a text message to Violet, hoping there was still some battery life left in hers.
Tanner: Can you call me?
A moment later, his cell phone buzzed in his hand.
He answered it on the first ring. “My phone is down to one percent battery.” She sounded like she’d been crying, but Tanner steeled himself.
Ned would pay for every tear he caused his little girl, but right now, they didn’t have time, and that phone didn’t have much power left. “Where in the building is your room?”
“I’m on the 24th floor. Room number 2401. It’s locked though. I can’t get out.”
“Violet is on the 24th floor,” he announced.
“I’m going in after her first. Once she’s safe, I’ll find April.
I’m not leaving without her.” He hadn’t forgotten April’s demand of him to save Violet first. It was like she knew something like this would happen, and that Tanner would honor her wishes.
But he wasn’t going anywhere until they were both safely back in his arms.
A cell phone pinged behind Tanner. He turned to see Caden pulling his phone out of his pocket. “I just saved our asses. We got a warrant to search this place for April since she’s a kidnapping victim and we have an eye witness who can place her inside.”
“All right,” Blake said, bumping fists with Garrett. “Now, we can really storm this place. Let’s go!”
Tanner smiled at his friends’ excitement. He was more than ready to get his daughter and April back. “Let’s do this.” He charged forward, his friends following close behind. They entered the building through the front double paned glass doors and were immediately stopped by armed security guards.
“Federal warrant,” Caden called out. “Step aside or get arrested for obstruction. Your choice.”
Two of the men chose wisely, while two of them decided to put up a fight.
Garrett blocked a punch from one and knocked the punk on his ass without breaking a sweat.
Blake took care of the second one, swinging him around as the idiot charged, then slammed him hard against the wall before cuffing him.
“Stay down,” Blake ordered, shoving the man to his knees.
He looked over at the second cuffed man that Garrett brought over.
“Both of you stay here.” Blake pulled out a second pair of handcuffs and cuffed both men to a bolted down hook in the floor.
Tanner had no idea what it could be for, but at least these morons weren’t going anywhere.
“Let’s split up,” Tanner said. “I’m going to get my daughter.
Caden, start at the top with me. Luke, Blake and Garrett, go to the basement and work your way up.
I don’t really have a plan. Just open every door until you find April.
” He was on the move before finishing his last word, his focus solely on getting to Violet.
If they were being held separately, that would only make finding them harder, but he wasn’t leaving until they were both back in his arms, safe and sound.
When the elevator doors opened on the twenty fourth floor, the place looked more like a morgue than an office building with steel doors and white walls.
They walked down several unmarked hallways, opening doors to storage spaces, offices, conference rooms, and restrooms. When they came to the end of a wing, and what looked like the new part of the building, Tanner stopped for a second.
“I haven’t seen any doors marked with the number 2401, or anything even remotely close to that.
Do you think Violet could be in the newer wing? ”
Caden shrugged. “Only one way to find out.” He went ahead of Tanner, weapon at the ready. They hadn’t encountered any more problems since the front door, but Tanner had a feeling things weren’t going to be this easy for much longer.
They proceeded down the hallway that had changed from older carpeting to pristine and shiny hardwood flooring. The walls were painted a muted gray color and there were hooks on the wall to hold artwork, but none had been hung yet. “This place is giving me the creeps.”
“Tell me about it,” Caden muttered.
They continued down the hallway. Caden opened doors on the left, while Tanner opened doors on the right.
When they came to the end of the hall, Tanner turned the knob on the last door but it wouldn’t budge.
“This one’s locked.” Without giving it a second thought, Tanner pulled out his baton and slammed it against the doorknob until it broke, unlocking the door.
He kicked it open and was surprised to find April sitting on a bed. Her eyes were puffy and red rimmed. Her shoes were kicked off, she’d changed her clothes, and there was food splattered on the wall, the remainder of its contents in a heap on the floor. A burger and fries from the looks of it.
“Tanner?” She asked, hesitantly. “Please tell me I’m not dreaming. You’re really here?”
Tanner holstered his weapon and met her halfway as she leaped off the bed and into his arms. She hugged him so tight around the neck, she was starting to cut off his breathing and circulation, but he didn’t say a word.
He wrapped his arms around her, savoring the feeling of having her pressed against him.
Then he kissed her forehead before lowering his lips to briefly cover her mouth.
They’d only been apart one night, and it had already felt way too long.
“I'm here. I told you, April. You’re mine, and I always protect what’s mine. ”
She stared at him for a long moment, her gaze soft and longing, until she blinked and it was like reality suddenly hit. “Do you know where Violet is? We have to find her. There’s no telling what Ned is making her do.”