Page 37

37

Jack

F our sets of eyes turn to Kyle.

His hands rise in a defensive stance. “I swear it was a uniformed cop. He had a cop car.”

I glance back at Carlos. He shakes his head, then asks, “Did you see his name?”

Kyle has a pained expression as he answers. “No, Miss Easton was in front of him, so I couldn’t see.”

“Did you see the identification number on the car?”

His thumb and forefinger dig into his eyes. “I don’t think so. It all happened so fast. I didn’t even think to look at the numbers since it all seemed legit.” He looks at me, brow pinched with regret. “I’m so sorry, Jack.”

I grip his shoulder. As devastated as I am at what the implications of this are, I can’t blame him. There’s no way he could have known. It looked like a real arrest, and I can’t say I would have done anything differently had I been here .

Ian clears his throat. “What do we do now?”

Nate speaks up. “Jack, pull up your exterior cameras. Let’s see if they caught anything.”

I pull my phone out of my pocket, unlocking the screen and opening the app. Then I toss it to him. He knows how to navigate the program because he has the same one. I don’t think I can watch her being kidnapped out of my house right under the nose of one of my guys.

He watches the video, moving the video closer to his face. “Is there a way to zoom?” he mumbles as he clicks a few buttons. With a heavy exhale, he shakes his head in annoyance. “I don’t know. Unless there’s a way to zoom on this video, you can’t really make out the name or number on the car.”

“Give it here,” Carlos says, holding out his hand. He watches the video a few times, then says, “Let me get my laptop.”

Handing me back my phone, he stomps out of the kitchen. None of us say anything while we wait for him to come back. My hands find the island to steady myself. My head is spinning, my chest tightening.

I stare at the muffins piled on the counter and think back to this morning. I wish I had taken more time with her. If I hadn’t rushed out of the house after I woke up. Made love to her one more time. She was so happy when I walked out to the kitchen after I showered, and she handed me a chocolate chip muffin, which was warm from the oven. I lifted her onto the counter, stepped between her legs, and kissed her. I remember the sweet chocolate taste of her tongue. I squeeze my eyes shut.

I push off the island and cross my arms as Carlos reenters the kitchen and quickly opens his laptop. The four of us are standing around him, watching him navigate numerous programs, looking for anything that might help us.

Whooshing fills my ears. The clicking sounds of the keyboard are deafening.

“Can you give us some sort of play-by-play here, Carlos?” Ian sounds exasperated.

“Shit, sorry. I was in my zone. Nate’s right. You really can’t see the number on Jack’s cameras. And it looks like he’s not wearing his name tag, so no way to get his name.” That’s not good news. Too suspicious. Carlos types a few more commands and continues. “I’m trying to find some CCTV footage that shows the number.”

A few minutes later, Carlos straightens. The clicking gets louder. He points to his screen. “Fuck yes. Got it.” More clicking. “I have a name. Let me see if he’s working today. Give me five.”

He leaves again, phone on hand.

I’m lightheaded. Fear and anger heat my body as we wait. A hand clasps my shoulder and grips me tightly. When I turn, Nate is beside me, his stare fixed on the computer screen and not on me, but I appreciate his silent support.

The five minutes Carlos is gone are the longest five minutes of my life.

He bursts back into my house and calls out, “Let’s go. He isn’t working. I made my boss aware of the situation, and he gave the go-ahead for him to be questioned. Jack, can you send me the video of him at your door?”

I’m numb as I send the video. He grabs his laptop, and we walk outside.

Ian points to his vehicle. “I’ll drive.”

I let my mind wander as we drive across town, growing increasingly uneasy with every moment that passes. I second-guess every decision I’ve made with Gisella. I’ll never forgive myself if something happens to her.

On the way, I text Chris to let him know the recent developments.

Chris: Do what you need to do to get her back. I’ll defend you with everything I have.

A small amount of peace settles in my chest at his response. The fact that I have all these men’s support means so much to me.

We parked behind Carlos on a quiet residential street in an older part of Nashville. The houses are dated, and some of the yards are overgrown. The patrol car is parked in the driveway next to an older model car.

As we climb out of the vehicle, my mind clears, and my nervous system eases. While the feelings I have right now are nothing like any I’ve ever experienced, being in the action, not knowing what we’ll walk into helps me tap into my years of training for keeping my cool in the most dangerous of situations. Let’s just hope that continues.

The five of us walk up to the front door, allowing Carlos to lead the way. He slams his fist into the door.

It only takes a few moments for the door to fly open. A man stands staring out at us. He’s shorter, maybe five-ten, with shaggy brown hair and a shirt that looks like it could use a good wash. His beady eyes jump to each of us, Adam’s apple jumping as he swallows, face visibly paling.

“Uh, can I help you?” he stutters.

Carlos shows his identification. “I think you know why we’re here. Let us in so we can talk.”

The man hesitates, but then gives a curt nod and pushes the screen door open. We step into his house, the living room clean but dated. He gestures to the couch. It looks like it could give at any moment, so I opt to stand in the corner. As the man sits down, his leg immediately starts tapping.

Carlos wastes no time. “Let’s just cut the shit, Will. Where the fuck is Ella?”

Sweat beads along the man’s hairline as we stare him down. With a shaky exhale, he wipes his palm across his forehead. “I don’t know who that is.”

My eyes narrow as I growl out a breath.

“We have a video.” Carlos’s voice is menacingly calm.

He looks like he’s going to be sick. “Can I get immunity if I give you information?”

My hands ball into fists at my sides. I cannot believe the nerve of this fucking idiot. I take a step forward, my feet moving on their own. Nate grabs my bicep to stop me, and I send a sharp glare his way. He just stares back, not releasing his grip on my arm. With a huff, I relent, and he lets go.

Carlos glances at me, then back to Will. “Not a fucking chance, but you will save a woman’s life. Isn’t that more important?” His voice is menacing. “Plus, if she dies, I’ll make sure you’re charged with murder, right along with whoever does it.”

My stomach rolls at his words. I might be the one who gets sick instead. I can’t even think about a world that doesn’t have Gisella in it.

Will grimaces. “He paid me a lot to fake the arrest and deliver her to him. He said she was alone. I didn’t know about the guy across the street.” He shakes his head adamantly. “I don’t know where he took her. I swear I don’t know.”

“Who paid you?” I bark out, ready to lunge at this corrupt asshole.

“Steven Melton. ”

Carlos glances at me. “Does that name sound familiar?”

I rub my forehead as I think. It does sound familiar, but I can’t place it. Until it clicks, and I snap my fingers. “Her piece of shit boss. His last name is Melton.”

There’s a knock on the door, catching all our attention.

Carlos’s grin is wide but far from meeting his eyes. “Perfect timing. Will, your ride is here.” When he pulls the door open, six police officers stand outside. All are looking grim, probably because they’re about to arrest one of their own. Carlos looks at the four of us and says, “Let’s go find an address.”

When we’re back at our vehicles, Carlos sets his laptop on the hood, and once he is connected to his hotspot, he pulls up Steven’s information. “It looks like he lives in an apartment. Seems unlikely he would bring her there.”

“What about his dad? Ella’s boss. Does he own any property?” Ian asks, then looks at me. “Do you know his first name?”

“Maybe Craig?”

Carlos nods. “Yep, that’s him. He rents a house here in Nashville. But they have some land out in Fairview. Looks like a farmhouse.” Carlos stares at the four of us, watching him intently. “Secluded, in the middle of the country.”

“I would be willing to bet that’s where he would go,” I say as I start stepping back. Whipping around, I stalk toward Ian’s vehicle. I don’t turn around to make sure they’re following, but hear the rapid footfalls behind me as they hustle to catch up. We all know how time sensitive this is.

“I’ll call for backup,” Carlos calls out after us as we climb into the SUV.

My phone vibrates with the address, and I plug it into Ian’s GPS.

“Let’s go get my girl.”

“Fuck yes.” Ian guns the engine as he flies out of my driveway.