Page 122 of The Devil's Heir

When he's done, Heath approaches me and takes my shoulders. "I really did care for you, Lily. I was trying to figure shit out for us. I know I fucked up, but you didn't—"

"I'm tired, Heath. Please leave me alone," I cut him off.

Sitting on the floor, I try to make myself comfortable and close my eyes. I can still feel his presence, but then he sighs.

"Whatever. I hope for your sake you make the right decision…"

I hear his words as he climbs the stairs, but I keep my eyes closed in case he looks back. I don't want him to see the tears straining to break free. I'm not crying for what Heath and I once had. I want to cry for what Jarek and I may never have if he doesn't find me in time.

FIFTY-SIX

Jarek

It's dark by the time we get to the cabin. There are a few guards, because clearly, Carmen didn't think she would need more. The bitch probably thought she was in the clear. I ensured only my trusted men knew of my plan and who was involved.

It's been a long time since I've been part of a raid like this; my men usually take care of the grunt work. However, this involves Liliana, and I will not leave it to anyone else to save her. I need to personally see that she is alive and uninjured.

"Koval, you take your men and disarm all the guards. Do whatever it takes to keep them from alerting our presence," I order through the earpiece.

My men are positioned around the cabin, hidden within the thick forest. The trees are so dense, so unforgiving, that no one can see us—not even the bitch herself. That's Carmen's second mistake—dragging Lily into the woods, believing she could keep my pauper hidden. She never considered the very shadows she trusted would betray her. She can't see us coming, and that will be her downfall.

There are only four guards in total, manning each side of the cabin. As soon as they're taken down, we move in. Knowing that whoever is inside will be no match for us, I instruct half my men to remain outside and ensure no one gets away.

Creeping up on the house, we try peering into the windows, but all the blinds are closed. Eddie, the guy I use for technical shit, brings out an infrared scanner. He walks around the perimeter before coming back and holding up three fingers.

"I'm seeing three bodies inside. It looks as though one of them is below ground—I'm assuming a basement—maybe a root cellar," Eddie states.

My anger rises to hear that my pregnant woman is being held in a dark, dank place like a root cellar. I stalk toward the front door, but Joey grabs my arm, stopping me from bashing the door in.

"Let me go!" I snarl.

"Calm the fuck down, Jarek. You can't go in there like this. Do you want to get her killed?" My best friend asks glaringly.

Fuck, he's right.

"Fine!" I yank my arm free and wait until I've calmed the raging storm billowing inside me.

"There's someone in the front of the cabin, sitting down, and one in the back who looks to be taking a shower," Eddie smirks.

"So, as soon as we open this door, we're going to be seen. Our best bet is going in through the back door," Joey says what the rest of us are thinking.

Sixteen men against two. The odds are evidently in our favor, but I don't want to take any chances, not where Lily is concerned.

I nod. "We go in through the back. Joey, you take a few men and go to the front room. Eddie, you take a few to where the second fucker is located and secure him, but point me in the direction of the cellar," I order the men, then add, "Under no circumstances are they to be killed. These motherfuckers are mine. We will take them to The Reformatory."

Joey turns the door handle slowly, cracking the back door open just a few inches. When he sees nobody near, he pushes it open quickly in case a creak in the old wood gives away our intrusion, and we all file in silently.

Joey and his men proceed toward the front while Eddie points the infrared scanner at the floor as we walk into the kitchen. There are two doors on the far side, and he points in that direction. I nod and watch as he turns to the left and takes his team in another direction.

The cabin isn't small by any means. Carmen would never stand for that, so maneuvering through the massive kitchen with two islands in the center, I head for the two doors. The first one I open is a huge pantry, but the other door opens to yet another door, this one with a deadbolt on it.

"Hey, what the fuck?"

I hear the fucker from the front room curse before all goes quiet, and I know Joey has him secured. This is easier than I thought. Carmen sucks at abduction—I hope she doesn't quit her day job—I grin inwardly.

Turning the lock, I swing the door open, impatient to get to my pauper. I rush down the stairs and hear a scraping noise to my left. It's dark as fuck down here. I don't bother searching for a light when I see her small form huddled near a corner.

Lily's hands cover her face, and I turn red when I notice the metal cuffs around her delicate wrists, which are connected to a chain attached to the wall.