Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
I tighten my grip on Grace’s hips as the lights go out, ensuring she remains close and within touching distance. As usual, my mind automatically goes straight to the more sinister reasonings. The others however, don’t panic as much, reassuring Grace that it’s probably just the storm having taken out the power lines.
I’m not willing to let her go, though. Not until we have everything confirmed, and with the cameras out of commission, that’s going to take a little longer than anticipated.
With the small amount of light provided by the fire, we can just about make each other out. Glancing down at her, I realize the guys probably toned things down to keep her panic at bay.
“Everyone get dressed. We’ll go check the breakers together,” Teddy commands, nodding over the top of Grace’s head to me. I nod back, silently telling him I have her.
Moving as one, Key heads to the closet to get Grace something to wear as Teddy heads over to our bags in the corner to cover us. Chucking me some clothes for Key and I, I pull them on before Key returns. Exchanging his clothes for Grace’s, he starts to change as I dress her in a skimpy, white lace-trimmed camisole and short shorts.
I scowl at him, and he freezes, catching my murderous glare. “What? She’ll look sexy in that,” he says unrepentantly.
“You could have just gotten the nightgown she was wearing,” I growl.
“Ahh, but where would be the fun in that?” He winks at me, sending my ire soaring.
“We don’t even know what we’re walking into, dickface.” I snarl, my anger getting the better of me.
“It’s fine, Atlas,” she soothes, laying a gentle and warm hand on my chest. Her slight touch cools my boiling temper in a second flat. “I can just wear a robe over the top.”
“That’s not the point,” I grumble, still not happy.
“It’s fine,” she smiles sweetly. Running her hand across my cheek, our eyes meet, and she bashfully looks away, dropping her hand as she moves her arms to cover her chest.
“Pass me her robe,” I growl, holding my hand out expectantly.
Huffing, Key does as I ask. Holding it out to her, she unwinds her arms and peers up at me through her lashes, murmuring a soft thank you.
“Key, where’s the weapons bag?” Teddy interjects.
“In with the hostage,” he answers, earning a caustic glare from Teddy and a sigh from me. “What? Don’t look at me as though this is my fault. There were three of us in that room. It’s not my fault we got distracted.” I growl at his words, feeling Grace flinch under my touch as she takes the blame on herself.
“What the fu-”
“Enough,” Teddy barks. “Now is not the time for petty arguments. He’s right. And no,” he punctuates, moving forward to lift Grace’s chin. “None of this is your fault. We’re adults, and clearly , hot-blooded men who were enraptured by an angel.” He winks. “It was our responsibility, and we got too complacent. There’s nothing more to it.”
Leaning in close, seeing her uncertainty, he whispers in her ear just loud enough for me to hear.
“And I’d do it all over again if I get to have you at my mercy.” Kissing her tenderly on the lips, their eyes lock, and her shoulders relax as she leans into us both.
Taking his phone out of his pocket, Teddy switches on the flashlight and takes point with Key at his side, leaving Grace sandwiched between us all with me at her back.
“Stay close and do exactly as we say,” I murmur. She nods, squeezing my hand in understanding.
Casing the hallway and finding nothing, we move on to sweep the room with the hostage in it. We just step over the threshold when I freeze at Teddy’s panicked voice.
“Atlas, get her secured. The hostage is gone.”
She squeaks as I lift her off her feet and dart back across to the bedroom, keeping my head on a swivel as I go.
Everything’s quiet, though. Too quiet.
Placing her on her feet just inside the room, I ensure she’s steady before stepping back into the hallway. “Stay in here and lock the door. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” she responds quietly, a subtle shake to her voice.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I bend down so we’re face to face.
“Do not open that door unless you hear one of us call out for you, okay?” She nods. “We’ll keep you safe, I promise.”
Offering me a tentative smile, the lump of hard rock in my chest threatens to start pumping again at the sight of her stoic, yet angelic face. Even in the face of adversity, she wears her fear like a suit of armor, ready to head into battle.
Giving her one last kiss that seals my worry away so I can concentrate on finding the motherfucker who somehow got free, I leave the room and wait beside the door until I hear the tell-tale click of the lock and her feet softly padding away from the door.
“Where is she?”
“She’s locked in the bedroom. No one's getting in there without us knowing.”
He nods. “Good. Let’s go to the bar first, and then we’ll check the breaker box.”
The fact that he’s directing us there and hasn’t provided us with our firearms means the hostage must have taken our weapons, making this even more of a deadly game. Luckily we stowed various firearms around the house while doing the initial sweep, both the hostage and dick-face were knocked out at the time, so we know they won’t be compromised.
Following Teddy’s lead, he turns off the flashlight as we head slowly down the hall in silence. Reaching the bar without any interference, we retrieve our weapons and do a quick once-over on them to make sure they're loaded and not tampered with.
Heading straight downstairs, we’re at the breaker in no time, having seen or heard nothing out of the ordinary so far. Turning the flashlight on it, we do a quick inspection. Teddy curses, running a hand through his hair as Key steps up to take a look.
It’s obvious someone has attempted to destroy it, but before we can get a proper look, gunfire erupts and has us all diving for cover behind different objects.
Adrenaline spikes through my system as a bullet clips my arm, giving me the thrill of the fight I always crave. Relief also hits me, knowing the hostage is down here with us and not upstairs with Grace.
At least we know she’ll be safe until we can deal with his sorry ass.