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I t’s been four fucking days since she was taken. My shoulder is getting better. I’ve been losing my mind, though. Jayme says they almost have everything in place, so we should be good to go by tonight. These last few days have been horrible. There has been no sign of Cassie at the Manor. I don’t know whether she’s okay or if he is hurting her. Or if she is even alive. He hasn’t shown her or tried to leave the house.

Her parents have been calling me every day. They filed a missing person’s report with the police. We have been questioned, but we don’t give them any info. That fucker has the whole police force in his back pocket, for sure. I wish I could tell her parents everything. They have been like my 2nd family since Cassie, and I met. They welcomed me with open arms. They bought me Christmas and birthday presents and let me stay over when my parents were out of town. They always joked, saying Cassie and I were destined to be together. But me and her always made the "eww cooties" jokes when they did that. Back then, I couldn't ever see myself being with her, but now I can’t see my life without her in it.

I walk back to my room and lay on the bed. I grasp the pillow she used and bury my face in it. It still smells like her shampoo. Tears build in my eyes. I can’t help it; I feel so useless. I failed to protect her. I had to watch as he stole her and drove off. Why didn’t I just shoot him? I had a clear shot because she was already in the limo. Next time I won’t fucking hesitate.

The bed dips behind me. Jayme is lying on his back, looking up at the ceiling.

"I’m so sorry, man. This whole thing is my fault. If I hadn’t come to town, he might not have gone so psycho. Sometimes I hate being part of this life. No one is safe, so I never stay with one person long. They will only be used as leverage against me." He lets out a long sigh. "I wish I could, though. I wish I had someone that would have my back. Who knew how to survive in this life? I would go through hell and back to protect them but knowing they could handle themself when shit got real would help put my mind at ease. You have that with Cassie. That girl is fucking tough. I saw the way she looked at you when we found her last week. Like she was fighting everything to stay alive, but the second she saw you, she knew she had backup, had someone else to care for her, and was safe. Fuck, I want that. Maybe someday." I feel for him. I don’t know if I could do what he does on the daily and have a woman.

"She truly is something special. Don’t let her go, man, because someone will try to snatch her up so fast if you do. She’s too perfect." He is only confirming my thoughts from these past few days.

*Ding* *Ding*

"It’s Elias." He says. "Shit, there’s another car pulling up right now."

We jump from the bed and dash into the kitchen. He opens his laptop and pulls up the feed. Jayme pulled all the men back but kept drones positioned to keep video surveillance. So far, only a few lawyers and associates have come by, but now a completely new car is pulling up.

"Elias ran the plate. It’s registered to a DoctorRhydel."

"Why would he need an on-call doctor to come to the house? What if he hurt her so bad she needs medical attention." I’m panicking.

"Lucian, hey. Stop." He places a firm hand on my good shoulder.

"Listen, the doctor looks calm, not rushing at all, which is a good thing. He probably wants to get her checked up since she left the hospital. In his own fucked up way, he does care about her. Just insanely obsessive and toxic."

"And abusive, you forgot that word." I chime in. Ugh, why can’t I just go back to a week ago when things were normal? No mafia, no beatings, no kidnappings, or gunshot wounds. And no dead women showing up in a box on my doorstep.

*Ding*

Jayme's phone goes off again—a devilish grin forms on his face.

"Game on. Everything is set. We get her back tonight!"