Page 17 of Up in a Blaze (Polished P & P #4)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

HENRI

I walked into the café and waved to West, Lucas, and Adrick.

Gun followed me since we had come together from my place.

Blaze had the poor man staying with me while he was away, staking out the port in Los Angeles.

He’d left a couple of days ago with Torch, Wreck, Quake, State, Saint, Loyal, and a few other club members.

Country had gone to the Mexico port about a week ago with Tech, Death, Rule, Boss, Chaos, Boomer and their team.

As we weaved through the tables to our friends, I pushed my worry for Blaze down. He could take care of himself. All the brothers who were there were capable too. They would also have one another’s backs. But knowing it didn’t stop my rising concern and make my stomach stop twisting anxiously.

Still, I would keep praying that everything would go smoothly, and they could save the kidnapped people without anyone getting hurt.

So, I plastered a smile on my face and called, “Bonjour.”

West and Lucas beamed over at Gun and me, but Adrick only tipped his chin up, which was exactly what Blaze would have done. It had my smile turning real.

“Who would be a gem and grab me a coffee and treat?” I asked, taking a seat with a sigh. “I am exhausted.”

Gun snorted. “I’ll get it. What do you want?”

“The biggest cookie there is, any flavor, and a black coffee with two sugars.” I went to hand him my card, but he waved me off. “Thank you, chéri,” I called as he walked away.

“I will get you something, West,” Adrick said before leaving.

Lucas let out a frustrated noise. “I can’t pick what I want. I’ll make up my mind at the last second.” Lucas stood and moved toward the line at the registers.

That left West and me. He cocked his head to the side. “How’re you holding up?”

I gave him a tight-lipped smile and a shrug. “I’ll be fine as soon as he’s home. As soon as all of them are.” But mostly the man I couldn’t live without.

Fear clogged my throat. I quickly looked away and swallowed thickly.

West’s hand closed over mine on the table. “He’ll be okay.”

Tears welled, but I blew out a breath and swiped at my face, then waved a hand around. “I know he will or else he has me to deal with.”

He promised me he would take care of himself.

“I’m sure he wouldn’t want your wrath.”

“Very true, sweet West.”

“I’m going to slip to the bathroom quickly.

Be back.” He caught Adrick’s attention when he stood, knowing he would need to tell his husband where he was going, so he pointed toward the back of the café.

Adrick tipped his chin up, and since there was still a line to the register, he watched West move all the way to the bathroom.

Drawing in a deep breath, I shifted my gaze out the window.

The day was overcast, the darker day matching my mood. I had thought this catch-up to talk about the Playhouse would take my mind off things, but I doubted it would. Not when Blaze was a constant thought.

It was then a person caught my attention, and I snapped my spine straight. “Sawyer,” I muttered.

I noticed Sawyer frantically looking around from where he stood across the road. I rushed to the front door and out it.

Besides at work, Blaze and I had seen Sawyer and Arlo one other time when I organized another sleepover.

When they weren’t around, I missed their company and had told Blaze we should have them over more often. They were such sweet boys, who seemed to like our company too.

Of course, Blaze agreed since he’d never go against my wishes, but I also had a feeling my big, beautiful beast had a soft spot for them as well.

It was why he had pushed Sawyer the first night they drove home together.

I was grateful it had worked. Sawyer hadn’t shared his secrets, but he was becoming comfortable around us.

“Sawyer,” I called.

His gaze swung my way. I saw his mouth move over my name and the clear panic in his wide eyes.

I put my hand up, pressing down on the air, and mouthed, “Wait there.” Looking both ways, I raced across the busy road when it was clear. Thankfully, Sawyer had stayed where he was.

When I grew close, he grabbed my wrist. “Henri, I-I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Talk to me, chéri.” I looked back to the cafe and saw Gun and Adrick coming out the door, eyes on us.

“I went to Polished since I forgot my wallet and… I don’t know. I’m getting a feeling of being watched again. I only stopped here to test it out and so they didn’t follow me home. That’s if I’m even being followed.” Agitated, he growled under his breath.

“It’s okay, chéri.” I curled an arm around his waist and moved us to the edge of the footpath to cross the road again. “I have friends across the street. They can help. We will figure this out.”

He nodded and drew in a deep breath.

There was a screech just as a van stopped in front of us and the side door opened. “Take the blond one,” someone shouted.

“Non!” I screamed, my voice cracking with fear, as three masked figures exploded from the van and closed in on us.

Shouts rang out—Gun. Adrick.

One of the masked men yanked Sawyer from my arms. “No! Let him go.” I clawed, punched, kicked, doing anything—everything—to stop him. My fists hit fabric and bone; I didn’t care what. The man dragged Sawyer toward the van, and I threw myself at him, wild and desperate.

“Grab him too. We gotta go!”

Then strong arms grabbed me and lifted me. I thrashed and screamed, but I was slammed into the back like a sack of nothing. The door clanged shut behind us, and the van lurched into motion.

Heart pounding like a drumbeat in my throat, I scrambled across the freezing metal floor to where Sawyer lay trembling. I pulled him up and into my arms, curling around his small, shaking body, shielding him the only way I could.

He whimpered, the sound soft and broken. I bit down on a sob and clenched my jaw, fury and terror tangling in my chest.

“What do you want?” I demanded, tipping my chin up in defiance.

“Shut up,” one snarled. He looked toward the front to the driver. “At least the extra guy has an accent. Even though he isn’t in the age bracket, I reckon someone will buy him.” The other two in the back snickered.

“Good. At least we didn’t fuck up grabbing him too, then,” the driver replied.

Obviously, they were the ones watching Sawyer. They were there to kidnap him.

My body froze.

Were these men involved with the people in charge of those ships? What was going to become of Sawyer and me?

“Do you know who our friends are? You need to let us go” I warned. He lunged at me, slapping me across the face, and I cried out. The sharp sting had me gasping, but only made my fury burn brighter.

“Shut up,” he snarled.

Fucking fool. They didn’t know who our people were, but they would, and I looked forward to Blaze getting his hands on them.

Blaze.

God, was it crazy of me to wish these men were actually involved with those ships and they were taking us to the port where Blaze and the others would be?

“Henri,” Sawyer whispered, touching my cheek. The music coming from the front of the van would hopefully keep our soft words from prying ears.

I took his hand in mine, ignoring the sting to my flesh, and smiled at him. “I am fine, chéri.”

“I’m sorry they took you?—”

Shaking my head, I hugged him tighter to me. “Non, I am glad I am here with you.” I leaned closer to his ear. “I was with Gun. He will follow. We will get help. We just have to hold on.”

He nodded.

“Besides, you know my Blaze. He will tear the world apart to get me back.”

* * *

Gun

“Fuck,” I yelled. Grabbing Adrick’s arm, I shoved him toward the café and ordered, “Go get Lucas and West. I want us in my car in seconds, hear?”

“Da.” He disappeared as I watched what way the van went.

As soon as I heard the others, I raced toward my car, cursing at my leg for the ache.

I got in behind the wheel, started the car, and held out my phone to Adrick. “Call him.”

“Nyet,” he said, and pushed the phone back at me.

I threw it to his lap and pulled out. “I’m drivin’, dickhead. Call Blaze.”

He sighed as I weaved out of the cars, trying to gain the time back. I was sure I could see the white van up ahead. At least I damn well prayed it was the right one.

“Nyet, this is Adrick. Your French man was ripped off the streets and kidnapped. They?—”

“What the fuck?” was roared through the line.

“Exactly what I said,’ Adrick said.

Fuckin’ hell.

“Adrick,” West snapped.

Someone reached between me and Adrick and took the phone. “Blaze, this is Lucas. Henri left the cafe when he saw Sawyer. The kid looked scared about something. Before we could get to them, a white van pulled up and loaded them in. We’re currently following the vehicle.”

Lucas cried out when I made a rough turn and again when I hit the brakes.

The van had vanished.

Fuck no.

No, no, no.

“Christ,” I clipped before I moved slowly along the quiet street, looking down every alleyway.

“What? Oh, hey, honey. No, Gun wouldn’t take me into danger.” There was a pause, and Lucas tapped me on the shoulder. “Wade wants to talk to you.”

Lucas was married to Wreck, a brother in the club, and any other time I’d let him give me what for but not now.

“Where is van?” Adrick asked.

I grabbed the phone and put it on speaker. “Eyes on everythin’, guys,” I ordered. “Wreck?—”

“What the fuck’re you thinkin’—”

“Listen, I don’t have time for your tantrum. Lucas is safe. Henri and Sawyer aren’t. I lost the fuckin’ van, Wreck.”

When the line went silent, I knew he’d figured Blaze was gonna lose his shit even more.

“Did you get anythin’ on the van?”

“Number plate.”

“Call Tech. He’s on a plane right now, but he should answer.

Mexico ship arrived early. It was just guns, no people, so they’re headed to us.

Get Tech to run the number. But if you can’t reach him, call Jones.

He’s around this place somewhere. The cop won’t be able to look it up, but he might know someone who can help. ”

Run to a brother first before someone outside the club, got it.

“Will do,” I answered.

“This ain’t on you, brother.”

I shook my head. “I shoulda been faster.”

“It ain’t on you.”

“Let’s fuckin’ pray these are the same guys as the ones the club’s hittin’ today and this van is travelin’ your and Blaze’s way, and it ain’t just some coincidence.”

Wreck grunted. “If they are comin’, means it’ll take them four hours to get here.”

“Your ship still lookin’ to port sometime today?” I asked.

“Yeah, probably around the same time the van gets here. Could mean a quick port to load up more people and then go again.”

“Fuck. I’ve got everythin’ crossed we’re right and they’re connected.” That was the best-case scenario, because if these cunts in the van were just randoms, and I’d lost them…. My gut twisted painfully at the possibility.

“Same, brother. Keep us posted if you get anythin’. I’ll tell Blaze…. Hell, I don’t know…. Torch is talking him down at the moment, but I ain’t sure how long that’ll last.”

“Good luck,” I said and hung up, before throwing the phone to the center console. “Anyone see anything?”

“Nyet.”

“No,” West said.

“Nothing,” Lucas added.

“Right.” I parked the car. “Adrick, you’re drivin’ while I make some calls.” I got out and swapped with the Russian. When I was belted up, I told him, “Start headin’ toward Los Angeles.”

And let’s fuckin’ beg all the gods above that we’re on the right track.