Mine goes off in my pocket again and I answer it. I know they’re gone. Looking around the room, it's obvious they took her and ran. They want war.
I answer it and hold the phone to my ear.
“Vince! 'Bout fucking time! Becca’s been--” Dom yells through the phone. I keep my eyes on the entrance to the dining room, just in case someone’s here, hiding and waiting to jump me. But I know they’re gone.
I cut him off. “They took her.” I swallow the lump in my throat.
“Elle?” Dom asks after a quiet moment.
“Yeah.” I bite back my emotions and let the anger come through. “Tony has their info?” I swallow the lump suffocating me and clear my throat. I put the phone back to my ear to hear him rattling off something in my ear.
“I don’t want to risk going to the wrong place. We need to split it up.”
“You sure that’s smart, Vince? We could be outnumbered easily. They’ve got at least 10 of 'em at any given time at either the clubhouse or the warehouse.”
“Well we’ll have the advantage of coming up on 'em. They don’t know that we’re on to them. They have no fucking clue. But if we all show up to the wrong place, we’re fucked. They’ll know. They’ll…” I don’t say it. They’ll kill her. I know they will. My chest pains and I struggle to take a breath. I can’t even imagine what they’re doing to her now. I don’t want to think about it. But I can’t help it. “I swear to God, Dom. I swear I’m gonna kill them.”
“I know. I know,” he says solemnly.
“I gotta go now. Text me the address.”
“You need back up! Don’t be stupid, Vince!” he yells back.
“Tell them to meet me there,” I tell him. I can’t wait. I won’t.
“You won’t do her any good if they kill you first.” Fuck. I hate how right he is.
“I can’t wait.” I can’t just stand here. She’s most likely at one of those two places. And if she’s not, someone there will know where she is. And I’ll make them talk. I’ll find her.
“I’m on my way. I’ll call the guys now. I’ll split 'em.”
I nod my head. I can’t talk. I try to, but my throat dries out and closes. If they killed her... If they put their hands on my sweetheart... I shake my head and focus on getting her back. I have to believe it’s possible.
“Hurry up, Dom. And text me that address.”
Chapter 35: Elle
“We need to get her out of here.” I wake up groggy, to a voice I don’t recognize. My back is to them. I know they’re behind me. I’m lying on my side, and I can feel a cool breeze on my face. I remain still and silent, and I’m sure to keep my breathing even. My face is killing me. My temples pound with pain. But I ignore the painful throbbing. I do a mental check. It’s only my face and my side that hurt.
They didn’t bind my wrists. I try to keep the smile off my face. Thank fuck they’re behind me so they can’t see my relief. Vince was wise to tie me up. These fuckers have underestimated me. My heart pounds in my chest, but I keep forcing myself to breathe evenly. I listen to them. I’ll wait until I can strike. I couldn’t do anything back at the house, with all of them on me at once. I just need to wait until I have a chance.
I’m sure Vince will come. But right now, I can’t rely on him. I don’t know if he’ll get to me in time. I also don’t know how much time I have. I listen and wait.
“You really think this is going to work?” someone behind me asks. His voice is deep and throaty, like someone who’s smoked his whole life.
“It’s their signature move. They’ll definitely believe it’s a message from the cartel.” Another man, one who’s closer to me.
“They’re a bunch of pussies.” I can hear three men in total laugh. So I’m up against three of them. Those aren’t good odds. I don’t think I could take out three. My heart sinks. I won’t give up hope though. I just need to try to take them on one at a time. I can manage that. I will manage that.
“Thought they’d have already gone after them. They move slow.” My eyes slowly creep open as I continue to take stock of my situation. I’m facing a cinder block wall, lying atop cardboard boxes. My arm is above my head and it fucking hurts. I want to move it but I don’t. I lie still and wait. Smoke fills my lungs with the smell of cigarettes and I hear a drag being taken.
“I want at her first.” My eyes open wide, but I keep my breathing steady.
“You’ll wait your turn.”